Household Hazardous Waste

What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?

Common products found in your home that are labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive, reactive or explosive are common household hazardous waste (HHW). You can tell if a product is hazardous if words such as POISON, DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION appear on the label. The most common products include:

  • Aerosols (non-empty)
  • Antifreeze
  • Ammunition
  • Lead-Acid Batteries
  • Cleaning Compounds
  • Diesel Fuel
  • Fertilizers
  • Pesticides
  • Florescent Bulbs 
  • Fungicides
  • Gasoline
  • Herbicide
  •  Weed Killer
  •  Insecticides
  •  Motor Oil
  •  Paints, Stains, Varnish
  •  Propane Tanks
  •  Rechargeable Batteries


What Does HHW Have To Do With Stormwater?

Household hazardous waste can have significant implications for stormwater pollution. When improperly disposed of, HHW items such as pesticides, automotive fluids, cleaning products, and paints can end up in storm drains or drainage systems. During rain events, stormwater runoff can carry these pollutants directly into water bodies, contaminating our rivers and coastal waterways.

 

How Do I prevent Stormwater Pollution From HHW?

  • Reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals. Use safe alternatives.
  • Use and dispose of household chemicals properly. 
  • Do not apply chemicals near water bodies unless instructions permit such use.
  • Never pour chemicals onto the ground or into storm drains.

 

How Can I Dispose Of Household Hazardous Waste?

Manatee County offers FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) service to Manatee County residents only. You may take your HHW to the Lena Road Landfill, on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please do not dispose of any of the above-referenced items with your garbage. The City will not pick them up.

For more information about HHW disposal, please visit Manatee County Electronic Scrap & Household Hazardous Waste webpage.

 

Proper Disposal of Lead-Acid Batteries

  • Return the battery to a retailer or a local household hazardous waste collection program.
  • Bring it to a specialized battery recycler or retailer that offers battery takeback services.
  • Locate a drop-off site such as the Manatee County Lena Road Landfill, that accepts lead-acid batteries for recycling. Batteries such as rechargeable, lead-acid, lithium and NiCad batteries are considered household hazardous waste and can be brought to the Lena Road Landfill Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Contact the battery manufacturer or Lena Road Landfill for additional disposal and recycling options.

 

 

Auto Care

  • Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home allows for detergents and other contaminants to enter the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains is equal to dumping the materials directly into a surface water.

  • Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater or wash your car in a grassy area so that the water infiltrates into the ground.

  • Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.