Avoid fines and damage to the environment with proper hazardous waste disposal
Hazardous waste is any waste that can be considered dangerous to human health or the environment.
Medications, household chemicals, paints, asbestos shingles, batteries, and electronics are common examples of hazardous waste.
Proper storage and disposal are crucial for avoiding fines and keeping people and the environment safe.
Household waste neatly fits into two categories: general waste and hazardous waste. Understanding what is considered hazardous waste and how to dispose of it properly not only helps you avoid fines for illegal dumping, but it also helps keep sanitation workers and the environment safe by preventing hazardous and toxic materials from entering the air, soil, and groundwater.
In this guide, we’ll explain what hazardous waste is and how to dispose of it properly and legally.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines hazardous waste as any “solid waste” that poses a threat to human health or the environment. For the purposes of hazardous waste definitions, “solid waste” can refer to physically solid waste, liquids, sludges, and even contained gases, like aerosol cans.
More specifically, the EPA notes that, in order for a waste to be hazardous, it needs to meet one or more of the following criteria:
Toxic: Harmful or fatal to humans through inhalation or absorption, including biowaste
Flammable: Combustible and easily catches fire at normal temperatures and pressure
Corrosive: High or low pH substances that damage or corrode other materials
Reactive: Combustible or explosive—this also includes waste that releases toxic vapors or fumes in the presence of water
Anything that falls under the classification of hazardous waste requires proper disposal, usually through a certified recycling program or a professional company that handles the storage and safe disposal of the materials. Hazardous waste disposal costs can vary based on which option you choose, but the total will pale in comparison to illegal dumping fees.
It’s not advised to place hazardous waste materials in your dumpster without first consulting your dumpster rental company. If these items make their way to the landfill, they (in most circumstances) will be returned to you, and you will face a fine of up to $500.
There are many examples of household waste that are considered hazardous. Understanding what you can and can’t throw out in your normal garbage or a dumpster and when you need a special type of waste disposal service helps keep the people around you and the environment safe.
Certain types of paints and most solvents fall under the category of hazardous waste because they contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are dangerous when inhaled and can also have adverse effects on the ecosystem. Therefore, disposing of paint safely means treating it as hazardous waste. Below are some examples:
Oil-based paints
Latex-based paints
Water-based epoxy paints
Solvent-based epoxy paints
Paint thinners
Aerosol paints (spray paint)
Many household cleaners are considered hazardous waste because they contain VOCs or are dangerous to touch or inhale. Most household chemicals fall under the category of hazardous waste, including the following:
Drain cleaner
Carpet cleaners and deodorizers
Glass cleaner
Furniture or wood polish
Mothballs
Bleach
Most pool chemicals
Some electronics are considered hazardous waste because they contain harmful metals like mercury and lead. Others contain batteries, which often have hazardous, corrosive acids inside. Batteries by themselves, whether used or unused, are also considered hazardous waste.
Products intended for promoting healthy lawn growth are usually considered hazardous waste, including liquid and granular fertilizers, due to their high concentration of nitrogen and phosphate. Pesticides and herbicides, including most weed killers and weed prevention applications, are also considered hazardous to the environment and often to humans, as well.
Medical waste, including used syringes, diabetes test strips, and unused medications, are all hazardous waste— some are even considered biohazards. Unused pet medications are also hazardous and require proper disposal.
You don’t always need a hazardous waste disposal company to handle used sharps. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies other safe disposal methods, including mail-back programs and drop-box collection sites.
Most waste that goes into or comes out of your car is considered hazardous, and some cleaning agents can also fall into the category of hazardous, including the following:
Used motor oil (only when you don’t recycle it)
Antifreeze
Degreasers
Car batteries
Some car cleaning products
Old tires
Certain headlight bulbs
Certain types of light bulbs contain dangerous metals or gases that fall into the hazardous waste classification. These include the following:
Fluorescent light bulbs
High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs
Neon light bulbs
Mercury vapor light bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light bulbs
Ultraviolet (UV) light bulbs
Notably, incandescent, halogen, and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are not considered hazardous waste. You can dispose of them in your normal garbage, although recycling is a better option overall.
The EPA notes that hazardous waste is any “solid waste” that’s dangerous to humans or the environment, but that includes any contained gases. Common examples include aerosol cans and fire extinguishers. In many cases, empty aerosol cans are not considered hazardous waste because they’re no longer under pressure, but it depends on whether or not the paint that was inside is hazardous.
Finally, anything containing mercury is considered hazardous waste, as mercury is toxic to humans and animals. Hazardous materials that may contain mercury include some thermometers, some thermostats, and certain types of light bulbs, including CFLs, HIDs, and UV light bulbs.
The best way to dispose of hazardous waste is to contact a garbage removal company near you that handles hazardous waste removal. A professional will come to your house, collect the hazardous waste materials, and transport and dispose of them safely, legally, and according to EPA regulations.
In many areas, you can bring hazardous waste like paint, household cleaners, light bulbs, and automotive waste to a local program or recycling center, provided you can transport it safely. Look online for your town and state’s regulations on hazardous waste disposal. If you can’t find any information, call your local government—someone there should be able to direct you.
No, you can’t place hazardous waste in a dumpster unless you specifically ordered a dumpster for hazardous waste removal. If the dumpster company finds hazardous waste that it didn’t approve for dumping, the company will return the waste to you, and you’ll likely face a fine for illegal dumping.
No, you can’t place hazardous waste in a dumpster unless you specifically ordered a dumpster for hazardous waste removal. If the dumpster company finds hazardous waste that it didn’t approve for dumping, the company will return the waste to you, and you’ll likely face a fine for illegal dumping.
