Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions:

Household Hazardous Waste

Q) What types of items are considered household hazardous waste?
A) You can bring the following items to a collection event:
  • Product containers marked with words, "Warning: Hazardous," "Flammable," "Poisonous," "Corrosive" or "Explosive." See below for listing.
  • HOUSE: Full aerosol cans, bleach, chemistry kits, nail polish, polish removers, perfumes, disinfectants, drain cleaners, floor wax, mercury thermometers, moth balls, oven cleaner, smoke detectors, spot remover, toilet cleaner
  • HOME HEALTH CARE: Prescription medications, used syringes
  • EXPLOSIVES: Ammunition, firecrackers, gunpowder
  • WORKSHOP: Corrosives, paints (other than latex), small compressed-gas cylinders, solvents, stains, strippers, thinners, varnish, wood preservatives, fluorescent bulbs
  • GARDEN/YARD: Fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, pool chemicals
  • AUTOMOTIVE: Antifreeze, auto batteries, degreasers, waste fuels - gasoline, kerosene, used motor oil mixed with other fuels
Q) Are there any items that are not accepted at the HHW events?
A) DSWA does not want the following items brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Event:
  • FRIABLE ASBESTOS - Accepted by appointment only at Cherry Island Landfill for a fee.
  • NON-FRIABLE ASBESTOS - Accepted by appointment at all DSWA landfills for a fee.
  • UNKNOWN SUBSTANCES - Greater than 1 gallon or 8 pounds.
  • RADIOACTIVE WASTE
  • LATEX PAINT- Water-soluble is not hazardous. Can be taken to a landfill. Please solidify with kitty litter or sand. Also check with your garbage hauler to see if they will accept in solid form.
  • CONTAINERS WITH LESS THAN 1" OF MATERIAL - These can go in your regular trash.
  • USED MOTOR OIL - Oil which has not been mixed with other fuels is accepted at
Q) When are Household Hazardous Waste Events held?
A) DSWA holds 6 Household Hazardous Waste events each year.
Click here for schedule.
Q) If I cannot make it to a Household Hazardous Waste can I put these materials into my household trash?
A) While some items can placed in with your household trash, DSWA recommends that these items be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste event for safe disposal.

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