What is HHW?

Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are those wastes produced in our households that are hazardous in nature, but are not regulated as hazardous waste, under federal and state laws. Each person in Pennsylvania produces an average of four pounds of HHW each year for a total of about 25,000 tons per year statewide.

How should you manage your HHW?

The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item "to do the job" and buying only the minimum amounts necessary.

Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it has to be discarded. If the material is still useable (i.e. has not been damaged/shelf life expired, etc.) check with friends and neighbors to see if they might be able to use it. Check with community groups such as United Way, Habitat for Humanity, etc. to see if they can use the product.

Spent lead acid (automotive) batteries can be returned to sellers. In Pennsylvania, dealers are required to take old batteries when new ones are purchased. Spent lead acid batteries may not be discarded in landfills. (Both used oil and intact automotive batteries from households are not considered to be hazardous wastes in Pennsylvania. However, they are frequently generated in households and are thus often grouped in the household hazardous waste category.)

If you are unable to participate in Dauphin County's HHW collection program or you must
discard the materials prior to your the next scheduled curbside pickup (see below), you may legally discard them in your regular trash pick up, provided:
You have looked at the label for any disposal directions and have complied with them.

Liquids have either been allowed to evaporate (if water based) or absorbed (if non-water based) on some material such as vermiculite, cat litter, or sawdust, so that there are no freestanding liquids).

The remaining residue has been carefully packaged to prevent leakage while the material is being transported to the disposal facility.

The material is placed out in small quantities, over several collection periods.