Hazardous waste may evoke images of toxic sludge oozing from some industrial facility, but its actually more common (and less dramatic) than that.
Many everyday products we keep in our homes are actually considered to be hazardous, like batteries or paint. When we want to get rid of these things, they become what’s known as household hazardous waste -- and they require specific disposal.
When hazardous products get thrown away, they can pose dangers for people and equipment transporting them to the landfill. Think: Leaking batteries causing chemical burns.
These hazardous products can also pose dangers for our environment. Batteries and paint, for example, are made with toxic chemicals and solvents that can decompose and seep into the soil, water, and even air, if they end up in landfills.
To keep these hazardous products out of landfills, people are urged to dispose of them properly.
---> Related: 7 items you can’t recycle curbside in Michigan
What household items are ‘hazardous?’
Many everyday products are made with ingredients that are harmful to people, animals and the environment.
In order to see if a material counts as hazardous household waste, or HHW, you can look on the product’s labels to see if there are words like “warning,” “caution,” “flammable,” “toxic,” “poison,” “corrosive,” “oxidizer,” and the like.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy -- known as EGLE -- lists the following as common HHW:
- Acids/bases
- Adhesives
- Aerosol cans
- Antifreeze
- Batteries
- Beauty Aids
- Cleansers
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Electronic cigarettes/vapes
- Electronic waste
- Foam food containers and packing materials
- Gasoline and other solvents
- Light bulbs
- Medical infectious waste
- Medications
- Mercury
- Paints and stains
- Pesticides
- Smoke detectors
- Tires
- Used oil/oil filters
How to properly get rid of household hazardous waste
There are a few different options for getting rid unwanted products that are considered hazardous.
Many Michigan cities and townships provide special collection services or events to help people get rid of their household hazardous waste. EGLE says local collection services or locations are the best resource for disposing of HHW.
“If you have leftover, unwanted household materials that are hazardous, it is best to routinely take them to a local HHW collection if one is available,” EGLE’s website reads. “Never pour HHW into a storm drain or down a drain in your home. If a collection is not available, contact your trash hauler to see if there are special instructions for safely disposing of the material in the regular trash.”
The state of Michigan has compiled a list of hazardous waste drop-off locations for each county. See that list right here.
Note: Some counties do not have a listing for a HHW drop off location or collection organization. In those counties, EGLE says people should “consider calling your city, township, and county officials to see if they offer the services you are seeking.”
Some retailers also offer collection services for recycling or disposing of certain hazardous materials, often when you purchase a replacement product. This service is common for items like electronics, batteries, light bulbs, medications, motor oil, and antifreeze at department stores, hardware stores, auto parts stores, and pharmacies, EGLE says.
Donation is another option, if your HHW can still be put to good use by someone else. Items like paint, stains, cleansers, and electronics are great for donating to neighbors, local parks, churches, art counsels, nonprofit housing authorities, and shelters.
Learn more about HHW and how to get rid of it on EGLE’s website here.