Household hazardous waste
We use household hazardous products every day in cleaning and fixing our homes, maintaining our cars, and taking care of our lawns. Products such as oil-based paint, weed killers, and drain opener are okay when we use them for the job they were intended. If these products are not properly used, stored, and disposed of, they can present a hazard to our health and our environment.
You can drop off your household hazardous waste at your local HHW facility:
Locate a household hazardous waste disposal facility near you.
Need free household products? Maybe you just need a little paint for a project? Ask your local household hazardous waste facility if they have a free product room. This is a great spot to get paint, automotive products, cleaners, and more. Usable products that residents bring in are placed on an exchange shelf. This not only saves you money, but saves tax dollars by reducing hazardous waste disposal fees, and also conserves resources.
How do I know what products are hazardous?
Anything that poses a threat to people or the environment if not disposed of properly is considered a household hazardous product.
- Look for signal words such as CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER, and POISON. By reading the labels, you can choose the least hazardous product to get the job done. (graphic on side)
- Read and follow the directions for use: hazardous products often contain special requirements for storage, handling, and disposal of leftovers.
Check out the Household hazardous waste disposal guide for more information.
How do I safely use and store HHW?
How do I reduce the amount of hazardous household products purchased?
Three simple rules will keep household hazardous waste to a minimum:
- Purchase only the amount that can be used up easily.
- Use up, share, or drop-off the product at your local HHW reuse center before buying new.
- Buy the least toxic product. Google “less toxic” or “alternative cleaners” for information and recipes.
Disposal information
Find out how to properly dispose of many common hazardous products around your home.
Unwanted medications. Help keep medications out of our water, don’t flush them down the toilet or drain.
Electronics | Consumer electronics such as TVs, computer equipment, and DVD players contain toxic metals and chemicals. Protect yourself and the environment: keep them out of the trash.
Needles and syringes | Manage and dispose of needles and syringes safely to prevent injury and disease transmission from needle-sticks.
Fluorescent light bulbs | Using energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs makes good sense—you save money on electric bills and help protect the environment. But because they contain mercury, fluorescent bulbs must be recycled.
Used motor oil | If you change your own oil on your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, or lawnmower, be certain to work carefully and dispose of the used motor oil and filters properly.
Household batteries | Once a battery is used up or no longer useful, the type of battery will determine how best to dispose of it.
How to dispose of used or unwanted pesticides. Statewide collections by Department of Agriculture and local HHW programs. Household pesticides can be taken to HHW facilities and events throughout Minnesota. Locate a household hazardous waste disposal facility near you.