Household Hazardous Waste

With a population over 38 million, California generates an estimated 140 million pounds of household hazardous waste each year. This quantity of hazardous waste represents a significant risk to human health and the environment. California Law makes it illegal to throw household hazardous waste into the garbage or pour down the drain.

Many common household products are hazardous. If these products are handled or disposed of incorrectly, they can pose a threat to human health, animals and the environment. When these products are discarded, they become "household hazardous waste." In California, it is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment. Household hazardous waste needs to be disposed on through a Household Hazardous Waste Program.   

• What are Household Hazardous Wastes and where do you take them?
• Why can't you throw them in the trash?
• Are there alternatives or other resources?
• 10 Things to Recycle That You Never Thought You Could

• Facilities and PBRs
• Form 303
• Funding
• Statutes and Regs (H&S Code)

 Many cities and countries have developed programs to collect, recycle or properly dispose of household hazardous waste. They may also collect hazardous waste generated by small businesses that are exempt from regular hazardous waste management requirements. DTSC is the state agency that is responsible for ensuring the safe and responsible management of household hazardous waste. At a local level the management household hazardous waste is overseen by Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs).

• Earth911.org
• eRecycle.org
• EPA.(U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)
• CIWMB(California Integrated Waste Management Board)
• Local HHW facilities and programs
• DTSC Certified Appliance Recyclers (CAR) page

• Information on collection of rechargeable batteries