Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Services for Government Entities and Companies

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be household hazardous waste.  Examples of these products are:  paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides.  They contain ingredients that can be hazardous to human health and the environment, if disposed of improperly.  They are commonly used but contain chemicals that could threaten the health of humans and the environment if they are allowed to enter our drinking water systems or streams through careless disposal.

How much HHW is there?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year.  As much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste has accumulated in the average home - in basements, garages and storage closets.

What are collection programs?

Veolia Environmental Services, Technical Solutions has helped over 2500 city and county governments across the United States to organize, promote and manage household hazardous waste collection programs as a way of assuring that these wastes are disposed of correctly.  Anyone who works full-time, however, may not be able to bring their waste to these types of collection programs, which often have limited hours.

How can you benefit?

Veolia organizes collection services for companies so their employees can bring their household hazardous wastes to work.  Besides assuring proper disposal of these wastes, a company collection provides excellent publicity, aligns the company with responsible environmental goals and fosters pride among employees.

Veolia's Collection Services

Veolia has developed successful collection programs for household hazardous waste across the United States to help solve the program of how to dispose of household hazardous waste in an environmentally safe manner.  For maximum effectiveness, these programs require careful planning, excellent publicity, efficient systems and, of course, appropriate disposal.

Company Collections

Company sponsored collections usually include general community waste, but they can also focus on specialized waste, such as pharmaceutical waste.  We provide turnkey services for the collection.

1.  Plan the event

Veolia will help your company select the site, and publicize the event through advertisements, flyers and articles in local papers and other news media.  This type of publicity is excellent community relations for any company.

2.  Set up the collection site and traffic control

Experienced Veolia personnel will be on-site to set up the collection containers and to help control traffic.  We can answer any questions about what constitutes household hazardous waste and our disposal plans.

3.  Unload, segregate and classify wastes

All wastes are segregated and classified in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations.

4.  Package, bulk, inventory and label wastes

There are strict requirements for packaging and labeling hazardous waste prior to shipment.  Veolia personnel follow all necessary requirements.

5.  Transport and recycle or dispose of collected materials

Veolia has extensive experience with all types of hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal.  Wherever possible, waste will be recycled.  Otherwise, proper treatment or incineration will assure that the waste is disposed of properly and legally.

Click for a list of Potential Sources of Household Hazardous Waste.