Have you ever had leftover paint after a refresh or found an expired cleaner in the house and been unsure of how to get rid of it? You’re not alone! Items such as these belong to a special category for disposal called household hazardous waste (HHW).
Household hazardous waste is a product that contains chemicals or components which present a danger to the environment and human health if not properly managed. They may be corrosive, flammable, poisonous, reactive, or otherwise unsuitable for traditional waste streams. Some examples of HHW are paint, fertilizers, pool chemicals, propane tanks, and all-purpose cleaners. If you are unsure whether an item is HHW, look for a “danger,” “warning,” or “caution” label for further instructions. Oftentimes, there will be a graphic on the product to give a quick indication of its danger, such as a flame or a skull and crossbones.
Person holding a glass bottle with a flame graphic on its label
Prior to disposal, proper handling is essential. Follow instructions for temperature and storage conditions and avoid mixing household hazardous waste products. To protect the safety of you and your community, never place HHW in your trash or recycling carts. When transporting to a facility for disposal, ensure the items are securely closed.
Within the local community, there are two main options to dispose of household hazardous waste. For many Woodlands Township residents, HHW can be brought to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility on Wednesdays or the third Saturday of the month for a small fee. If you are a Creekside Park Village resident, the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility provides free disposal by appointment.
While propane tanks are accepted at the Harris County facility, Montgomery County residents must utilize alternative specialty streams for disposal. Residents can recycle their tanks at a Blue Rhino display or refill their tank at Ace Hardware. For more details on these options, or to learn about other waste streams, try our new Recycle Right online widget! Simply type in the item you’d like to dispose of, and we’ll tell you exactly what to do with it.