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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Waste Management - DWM - SW - Household Hazardous Waste

Waste Management

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Other HHW Links and How to Apply for a Temporary HHW Collection Event

To apply for a temporary HHW ID Number for transporting household hazardous waste collected by counties, cities and other organizations, follow the steps below. There is no fee.:

1. Contact a hazardous waste disposal company to collect, package, transport and dispose of the waste. Set up a date and place for the event.

2. Down load and fill out the temporary collection event application below.

TEMPORARY HHW COLLECTION EVENT APPLICATION

Send completed forms and questions to: william.patrakis@ncdenr.gov

3. After the event, send a list of collected waste using the 

TEMPORARY HHW EVENT REPORT FORM

4. Send the completed forms to: william.patrakis@ncdenr.gov or call 919-707-8290 if you have any questions.

Flyer about protecting coastal waters from household hazardous waste:
COASTASYST

NC Dept of Agriculture's Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) Temporary Sites

NC Dept of Agriculture's Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) Permanent Sites

Safe Kids NC sponsors Operation Medicine Drop as a way to dispose of pharmaceutical waste, especially narcotics and other dangerous drugs.

Click here to find where to dispose of pharmaceuticals in your county.

Click here to find the contact person in your county or town for the disposal of mercury containing flourescent lights.




 

 

 
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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

  •  The average US household generates about 30 pounds of household hazardous waste per year.
  •  The United States generates about 1.6 million tons each year.

HHW is hazardous material that has already been used or can no longer be used. If not disposed of properly, it can pose a threat to human health and the environment.

It’s Hazardous and It’s in Your House

  • Household maintenance products like paint, thinners and glues make up more than a third of the HHW in our daily garbage.
  • Anything from household cleaners and batteries to personal care products like nail polish, polish remover and hair spray make up the other two thirds.
  • Vehicle care requires grease and oil, which are hazardous products and gardener use pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Keeping our pets pest-free requires hazardous chemicals.
  • Lighter fluid you used to start your grill is hazardous.
  • Pool chemicals and pharmaceuticals take us from the backyard to the medicine chest.

Learning about household hazardous wastes, reducing the amount used, and using non-hazardous alternates are steps we can all take to reduce the waste we put in our local landfills.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

  • HHW can be reused and recycled if it is brought to a HHW waste collection center.
  • Many counties in NC have HHW collection centers. Check the list to find one near you.
  • HHW collection sites consolidate wastes for reuse, such as donating paint to Habitat for Humanity or by using hazardous wastes as a fuel.
  • Many HHW collection centers also accept used oil and so do many auto parts retailers.

Reduce the amount of  hazardous waste you generate. 

  • Read cleaner and chemical labels carefully before you buy to make sure that the product is appropriate for the job.
  • Buy an amount that you think you may use completely so as not to have any left over.
  • You can also use less hazardous alternatives. Baking soda and water make a great mild abrasive cleanser.
  • Windows can be cleaned with a vinegar and water mix and then wiped dry with old newspapers.
  • Most cleaning jobs can be done using liquid soap and borax (found in the detergent aisle). For more ideas on how to reduce the amount of HHW you create, check the chart below.

Common Household Hazardous Waste With Disposal Information and Alternatives

Substance Problem Disposal Alternatives
Rodent bait Lethal Use up or bring to HHW collection site Cats, traps
Insect repellent Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Screens, marigolds, rosemary, garlic
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Hand pick or hose, pyrethrins, ladybugs
Drain cleaner Corrosive Wash down with lots of water or bring to HHW collection site Baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water
Oven cleaners Corrosive Use up or bring to HHW collection site Salt and ammonia overnight
Toilet cleaner Poisonous Wash down with water Mild detergent and bleach
Spot remover Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Cold water and detergent, alcohol
Silver polish Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Water, baking soda, salt and aluminum foil.  Toothpaste
Furniture polish Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Lemon oil and mineral oil
Dyes Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Vegetable dyes like onion, teas, marigolds
Paint Flammable Allow to air dry, mix with litter Latex, buy only what you need
Air freshener Numb nasal tissue Wrap in plastic Potpourri
Brass and copper cleaner Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Lemon juice and salt
Antifreeze Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site None
Oil and oil filters Poisonous Use up or bring to HHW collection site Drain oil filters

 

List of HHW Collection Facilities

Additional information can also be obtained from the Household Hazardous Waste Council of the Carolina Recycling Association at (877) 972-0007.
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