Web Instructions - Site Map - YORK REGION - Services - Garbage and Recycling

Household Hazardous Waste
Is your Household Hazardous Waste Going to the Right Place?
Throwing your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in the garbage or putting 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.
 
Materials accepted include:
 
  • Household cleaners and detergents
  • Paints and solvents
  • Motor oil and windshield washer fluid
  • Batteries (wet & dry cell
  • Prescription medicine syringes
  • New! Fluorescent tubes and energy efficient bulbs
To view our advertising
campaign click here.  These ads
were placed in local newspapers,
on the back of buses, and in
local paint retailers and
hardware stores.
 
 

On December 4, 2009, an episode of A Greener York, on Rogers Cable, featured a short video segment on Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste in York Region.  To access the video, click here to learn more about these recycling programs.

 

What's Accepted
 

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

 
Household Hazardous Waste includes products that are:
 
 
These items contain ingredients which may be toxic and should be used and disposed of with caution.
 
 
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What Items Are 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

 
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What Items Are Not Accepted?

 
The following items are not acceptable in the Household Hazardous Waste Program:
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Why Should I Be Concerned?


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 wash off lawns and gardens into storm drains and streams, polluting water.  Solvents can escape to the atmosphere from the normal use of cleaners, paints and aerosol sprays, as well as from disposal or accidental spills.  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. 
 
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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

 

 
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What You Can Do

 
Whenever possible, use a non-hazardous alternative.  Environmentally friendly and safer alternatives are available for household cleaning, home improvement and garden care.
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 up.
If you cannot use the entire product, give the leftovers to someone who can.
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Working With HHW

 
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How Do I Dispose of My Household Hazardous Waste?

 
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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:
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Alternatives

 
There are five basic ingredients that can also 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.
 
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HHW Campaign

 
The following is a list of the participants in York Region's HHW Campaign.  Each of these companies are distributing household hazardous waste information to their customers.  Please see the information tag and brochure for more information.
 
Real Estate Agents:
Paint Retailers:
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Contact Us

For further information contact hhw@york.ca or call 1-877-464-YORK ext. 5702.
 
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If you are unable to access information on this page with your “screen reading software”, please call 905-830-4444 extension 1233 and someone will assist you. If you are directed to and answering machine, please leave a message and your call will be returned to you within 24 hours.