Northern Kentucky
Household Hazardous Waste
About HHW
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered household hazardous waste (HHW). HHW is the group of chemicals, electronics, and other substances that are commonly found in many homes but require special attention when being discarded.
Why is HHW harmful?
Unfortunately, HHW is sometimes dumped down storm sewers, poured down drains, released on the ground, disposed in creeks and ponds, buried in backyards and fields, or slipped into garbage bags for local garbage pickup. If HHW is not disposed of properly, the resulting contamination of our soil, groundwater, and surface water puts our communities and those who live, work, and play around them at risk of injury or illness.
What are some common household hazardous products?
The top three items brought to our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event are:
-
Electronics* & Batteries
-
General hazardous material (chemicals)
-
Car fluids
​
Other items include, but are not limited to:
-
Tanks and cylinders (helium, propane, fire extinguisher)
-
Household cleaners
-
Prescription drugs
-
Pesticides
-
Solvents
-
Paints
-
Aerosols
​
*Electronics are anything that take a battery or has a cord. Battery-operated electronics are the main source of explosive fires in garbage trucks, recycling centers, and landfills. Most electronics contain precious metals that should be extracted to be reused. Electronics are dangerous when disposed improperly.
Learn the HHW Disposal Rule of Thumb →
The best diposal method for household hazardous products is to buy what you need, use them as intended on the label, and use them until they are gone. Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products. Reuse of household hazardous products can save money and reduce the need for generating hazardous substances.
​
However, should you find yourself needing to dispose of HHW, the information found on this website will guide your efforts. Households can legally dispose of some products in their residential garbage—as long as directions are taken properly. Liquids should never be included in the regular garbage because of leakage from collection vehicles.