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
• 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 specific DSWA Recycling Drop-off Centers.

Q) When are Household Hazardous Waste Events held?

A) DSWA holds 10 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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