What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Leftover products in your home that contain ingredients that are toxic, flammable, or could cause a dangerous reaction when mixed with other chemicals or eat away at solid objects are household hazardous wastes.

What are Some Examples of Household Hazardous Waste?

Anti-freeze, drain cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, fuels, weed killers, furniture strippers, household batteries, household cleaning products, insecticides, medicines, mercury, metal polishes, oil-based paints, paint removers, pool chemicals, thermostats and used oils are all household hazardous wastes.

Why Can’t Household Hazardous Wastes Simply be Thrown Away?

These products can pollute the environment and can make people sick if they are disposed of improperly.  They should not be poured down the drain, on the ground or into storm sewers.  They also should not be thrown into the trash like regular garbage.

How Can Household Hazardous Wastes be Safely Disposed?

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency schedule for collections in Illinois

City of Chicago Long-term collection facility

To report illegal hazardous waste dumping please call 1-800-332-DUMP.