HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)

Household Hazardous Waste Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is material that must be handled and disposed of properly due to dangers it poses to our health and the environment. The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division (TCSWMD) offers a permanent location to accept HHW from Tompkins County residents and qualified businesses and organizations that are Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). Material is accepted at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center's D.E.P.O.T. - Don't Empty Pollutants in Our Trash - on the following days: 2013 HHW Collection Events: May 18 July 20 August 17 October 19 November 16 Residents must have a valid permit and have an appointment to attend an event. Click here to make an appointment. You will need your solid waste permit number. Click below for more instructions on Hazardous Waste from CESQG or other Non-Residential Source.
Accepted HHW TCSWMD accepts most hazardous products that are Corrosive, Ignitable, Poisonous, Reactive, or Toxic, including: Automotive care products Home maintenance products Lawn & garden products Oil-based paints & stains Personal care products Products containing mercury Unidentified products – The County's hazardous waste contractor will test them while you wait, to determine the identity of the waste, as well as its acceptability Workshop/hobby wastes	Not Accepted HHW Please contact our office for guidelines on how to properly manage these products: Ammunition, explosives, and firearms Asbestos Controlled substances (ie. barbiturates, LSD, or other prescription or non-prescription medication) Empty containers Gas cylinders - including small propane tanks. Empty aerosols and propane tanks can be recycled at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. Medical or infectious waste – including syringes or sharps Radioactive waste – including ion chamber smoke detectors
How to Prepare HHW to Bring to a Drop Off Event: Wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid unnecessary skin exposures. Lay down a plastic sheet the under area where hazardous containers will be handled. Keep HHW away from children, pets, sources of water and flame, and never smoke around HHW. Keep all products in their original, labeled containers. Label unidentified products "unknown". NEVER MIX CHEMICALS TOGETHER. Carefully place items that are in leaking or rusty containers in newspaper and place inside a plastic bag or larger non-returnable container with absorbent material, such as kitty litter. DO NOT leave valuables or other belongings in your trunk that you do not want removed. Drop Off Event/Onsite Instructions: For your safety, smoking is not permitted at the RSWC For your safety, please stay in your car. You may be asked to push a trunk release button or provide keys to the D.E.P.O.T. staff to allow access to trunks or hatchbacks. There may be a brief wait while your materials are checked for acceptability. Once your waste has been removed, signs will direct you to the facility exit. All traffic is one-way. *Disclaimer:* These suggestions advise safe disposal or products using the best technology available at the present time. The TCSWMD assumes no liability for the effectiveness or results of the procedures described in this website. Recycling or hazardous waste collection programs are the recommended disposal methods for all household hazardous wastes.