Hazardous wastes are wastes or products that have the potential to harm people or the environment, now or in the future. There are many ways to dispose of household hazardous waste safely, protect the environment and keep your home safe, and recycling programs are available for some of them.
Over recent decades the way households manage waste has changed a great deal. Recycling has increased, but so has the total amount of waste generated, including hazardous waste. The average household stores many hazardous substances, or products that contain harmful ingredients, and it can be dangerous to dispose of these through regular rubbish collections.
Examples of household hazardous waste include:
- Solvent-based paints
- Pesticides and other garden chemicals
- Batteries (for example car, mobile phone or regular household batteries)
- Motor oils (for example from cars or mowers)
- Petrol and kerosene
- Cleaning and polishing chemicals
- Swimming pool or spa bath chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals (all medicines)
- Obsolete computer equipment
- Thermometers, barometers and thermostats
- Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent globes (CFLs)
Handling and storing hazardous waste at home#
To handle hazardous waste safely at home:
- Keep goods in their original containers where possible. If a container is leaking, use a new container, but never use food containers such as soft drink bottles
- Do not mix chemicals when decanting a substance into a new container
- Make sure all labels, including warning labels and manufacturer’s instructions, stay intact on the packaging
- Store goods upright with lids tightly secured and out of the reach of young children
- Keep all ignition sources, such as matches, well away from the storage area
- Keep the storage area cool and dry
- Buy only the smallest amount you need
- Always store hazardous waste properly while waiting for a suitable disposal method
How to dispose of hazardous waste#
Never put hazardous household waste into regular rubbish collections, tip it down the sink, toilet or gutter, or bury it in the ground. Many types can be recycled or taken to dedicated collection points. Contact your local council or waste authority for the options available in your area.
- Computer equipment — monitors, keyboards, laptops and disc drives contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as hazardous materials that can threaten the environment if not disposed of responsibly. Many councils and some manufacturers offer a recycling or disposal service
- Mobile phones and batteries — some phones and accessories contain heavy metals. Many phone retailers and other stores accept used mobile phones for recycling
- Household and rechargeable batteries — these are often collected at waste transfer stations, landfills and some battery retailers
- Car batteries — these can be recycled; contact your local council or a battery retailer
- Gas cylinders (LPG) — cylinders used for BBQs, patio heaters, caravans, camping and lamps can often be returned through retailer swap programs for replacement, refilling or disposal, although charges may apply
- Used motor oil — this can be recycled at many collection points and transfer stations; some sites limit how much you can return per visit
- Laser and inkjet printer cartridges — many retailers accept these for recycling
- Fluorescent tubes and CFLs — fluorescent lamps and other mercury products, including mercury spills, can be taken to specialist collection points
- Unused medicines — return unused pharmaceuticals, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, to a pharmacist for safe disposal, and store them out of reach of children until then
- Plastic shopping bags — these can create litter and threaten wildlife if they reach waterways; many supermarkets now collect them for recycling
Some areas also run mobile collection events, often on weekends, that accept items such as car body filler, and may have permanent drop-off centers at local transfer stations. These centers often accept only certain items — typically paint, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent tubes and, in most cases, gas cylinders — and usually do not accept waste asbestos. To dispose of industrial waste and asbestos, contact a specialist waste reduction and disposal service.
Why correct disposal matters#
If hazardous waste is not disposed of correctly:
- Dangerous chemicals and poisons can leach into surface water or groundwater, affecting soil, plants and water for a long time
- Waste may corrode pipes or block stormwater drains and cause problems at water treatment plants
- It can put the health and safety of garbage collection workers at risk
- It may pollute waterways and drinking water if sent to normal landfills — hazardous waste should only be stored in specially designed landfills
Illegal disposal, dumping or misuse of waste is a serious offense and can carry large financial penalties.
Key points#
- Make sure all labels, including warning labels and manufacturer’s instructions, remain intact on the packaging
- Waste may corrode pipes or block stormwater drains and cause problems at water treatment plants
- Incorrect disposal can put the health and safety of garbage collection workers at risk
Where to get help#
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.