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What is Household Hazardous Waste?

 
Household Hazardous Waste includes materials such as:

  • Household cleaners and detergents
  • Paints and solvents
  • Motor oil and windshield washer fluid
  • Batteries (wet & dry cell)
  • Prescription medicine or pharmaceuticals
  • Needles and syringes (in puncture resistant containers)
  • Fluorescent tubes and compact flourescent light bulbs / energy efficient bulbs
 
Household Hazardous Waste commonly displays the following symbols:
 
  • Poisonous - can poison or damage living organisms
  • Explosive - can react violently when mixed with other agents, or when placed under heat or pressure
  • Corrosive - can eat away at surfaces, including skin
  • Flammable - can burn easily


Please see our HHW Brochure for more information.

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How Do I Dispose of My Household Hazardous Waste?

 
Throwing your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in the garbage or washing it down the drain can be dangerous to your family and our environment. Household Hazardous Waste can be disposed of at one of the Region's four HHW Depots.
 
  • Keep materials in their original containers, or ensure that the containers are well labelled
  • Do not mix different products together
  • Tightly cap all containers
  • Bring them to your local Household Hazardous Waste depot (household items only) free of charge.  Most of the waste will be recycled into new products.  The rest will be forwarded for safe disposal in a specially designed chemical landfill.

What's Accepted

      

·         Aerosol Cans

·         Glues & Adhesives

·         Nail Polish and Remover

·         Anti-freeze

·         Hair Colour

·         Paints

·         Batteries

·         Hair Spray

·         Paint Thinner and Varnish Remover

·         Bleach

·         Hydrogen Peroxide

·         Pesticides, Insecticides and Herbicides

·         Brake Fluid

·         Isopropyl Alcohol

·         Pool Chemicals

·         Cosmetics

·         Mildew Remover

·         Propane Cylinders

·         Detergents

·         Mothballs

·         Rat Poison

·         Disinfectants

·         Motor Oil

·         Scouring Powder

·         Electric Thermostats with Mercury

·         Motor Vehicle Batteries

·         Solvents

·         Fertilizers

·         Windshield Washer Fluid

·         Waxes

·         Gasoline

·         Oil Filters

·         Turpentine

·         Fluorescent Tubes and Energy Efficient Bulbs

·         Household Cleaners (includes oven, drain, floor, glass and toilet cleaners)

·         Pharmaceuticals, Prescription Medicines and Syringes

 

What's Not Accepted

 
The following items are not accepted in the Household Hazardous Waste Program:
  • Explosives and ammunition- please contact your local York Regional Police Branch
  • PCBs, asbestos, medical and radioactive waste- please contact York Region at(905) 830-4444 ext. 5702 for further disposal information.
  • Hazardous waste generated by Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) sources.

Why is proper disposal so important?


Many common household products contain hazardous chemicals.  Once released into the environment, these substances may pose a serious threat to living organisms.  Small quantities of hazardous substances can accumulate over time to reach dangerous levels and contaminate the air, water, and/or soil.  Others can have a more immediate and devastating effect, such as poisoning.
 
Pesticides, fertilizers and other products can run off lawns and gardens into storm drains and streams, polluting our fresh water.  Solvents can escape to the atmosphere from the normal use of cleaners, paints and aerosol sprays, as well as accidental spills or improper disposal.  These substances not only pollute the air but they can also return to earth as precipitation, further polluting water and soil.
 
Chemicals from hazardous wastes buried in unsecured landfills can leach out and move through the soil, eventually entering ground water.  From here, contaminants can spread to wells or surface water, making it unsafe to drink.
Storing old chemicals under your staircase can be a potential fire hazard.  Leaving chemicals in your garage can also be dangerous if discovered by your children and pets. 
 

Is Household Hazardous Waste Hiding in Your Home?

 
Household hazardous waste can be found almost anywhere in your home.  Any storage area, including your shed, garage, basement, laundry room, closets, kitchen, and attic could have hazardous materials hiding in them that you may have forgotten about.  If you have hazardous materials you would like to dispose of, please bring them to a Public Drop-off Depot.
 
 
 
 

Click on individual rooms to view specific Household Hazardous Waste items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Alternative Can I Use?

 
Whenever possible, use a non-hazardous alternative. Environmentally friendly and safer options are available for household cleaning, home improvement and garden care.

There are five basic ingredients that can be used as alternatives to hazardous cleaning products commonly found in the home.  These ingredients are baking soda, pure soap, white vinegar, borax, and washing soda.  Baking soda is an excellent scouring powder, deodorizer, and water softener.  Pure soap decomposes naturally in the environment and can be found in liquid, bar, powder, or flake form.  White vinegar deodorizes and cuts grime and grease.  Borax disinfects, cleans, and softens water.  Washing soda removes stains, disinfects, and cuts grease.
Other things you can do include:
 
  • Be a wise consumer - buy only the amount of product you need.
  • If you do use a hazardous product, make sure to use it all.
  • If you cannot use the entire product, give the leftovers to someone who can.

Working With HHW

 
  • Read and follow all directions on the label carefully.
  • Always use hazardous products in a well-ventilated area or take plenty of fresh air breaks.
  • Never leave containers open.  Many products are volatile, evaporating quickly into the air.  Always seal containers tightly after use.
  • Never mix chemicals.  Do not use chemical containers for other purposes.
  • Wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask when required.  Wash clothing exposed to hazardous materials separately from other clothes.
  • Store materials securely in a well-ventilated area in original containers.

What Happens to Household Hazardous Waste?

 
Once dropped off at a Regional depot by residents, household hazardous waste is transported for further processing.  Here is what happens:
  • Paint is reprocessed into new recycled paint and by-products are bulked and sent for fuel blending.
  • Stains, non-paint coatings, aerosols, fuels and adhesives are bulked and sent for fuel blending.
  • Acids and bases are neutralized and discharged once tested.
  • Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, batteries, and oxidizers are sent to a secure landfill.
  • Needles and syringes are incinerated or autoclaved (sterilized) and then disposed of in a landfill.
  • Automotive batteries are dismantled and lead is reclaimed and the sulfuric acid is neutralized.
  • Oil is sent to a refinery to make recycled oil.

Contact Us

For further information contact EnvironmentalServices@york.ca or call 1-877-449-9675 ext. 3000.
 
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