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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program

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Most of us know manufacturing and industry can create toxic waste that can harm our health and the environment. However, you may not know that your own home might contain toxic waste. The average home uses and stores more than 60 hazardous products!  Most household products like cleaners, paints, pesticides, and car products are safe if used and stored correctly. These same products can become dangerous when disposed of improperly. For example, if you throw toxic household wastes into the trash, they can injure or harm trash collectors. If you dump these wastes in the gutter or down the drain, they will contaminate water or disrupt the sewage treatment process. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)Program both educates the public about the dangers of toxic household wastes and helps people to dispose of waste properly at HHW Collection Events, and at Used Oil Collection Centers.  Collection centers for specific wastes only can also be found at Recycle Works and at www.1800.cleanup.org. These collection centers accept residential waste only. Products that are still in good condition are re-used via our free Product Give-Away Program.  There is a separate program for businesses that generate small quantities of toxic waste. When using or purchasing hazardous materials, read and understand the labels: Caution means slightly toxic - if ingested, an ounce to a pint may be fatal to 150 pound adult Warning means moderately toxic - it may take a teaspoon to an ounce to be fatal Danger means highly toxic - a taste to a teaspoon could be fatal if ingested Danger - Poison means the most toxic! Look out for the Skull-and-Crossbones!!   Also follow these basic rules: Toxic DO'S Toxic DON'TS Use the least toxic product you can get. Buy only what you need. Don’t buy toxic products if you won’t use them. Use chemicals as directed by the label instruction. Don’t mix products! Never mix bleach with cleaners because toxic gases could result. Store chemicals in safe places away from children, pets and fire sources.  Long-term storage of toxic chemicals can be dangerous. Don't store products in unsafe areas, near access to children, pets, fire sources, or outdoors where containers may rust and corrode. Recycle products when you can and dispose of your toxic wastes at an HHW collection center. Don’t put toxics in the trash, down the drain, or in the gutter Links: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events      Used Oil Collection Centers Product Give-Away Program Drug Disposal    Alternative Less Toxic Cleaners (PDF)  San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program  Fluorescent Lighting Recycling Locations Household Battery Recycling Locations Latex Paint Very Small Quantity Generator Program for Businesses RecycleWorks 1-800-CleanUp If you have any questions, please call 655-6202 or e-mail us at erouan@co.sanmateo.ca.us