Hazardous Waste Disposal

Household Hazardous Waste

Each year, the Monroe County Solid Waste Program sponsors collection days to assist you in disposing of old or excess chemicals and materials from your house and or garden.  This program is limited to individual households only.  No materials from business or industrial sources will be accepted.  All items must be brought in the original container.

For the date, time and location of the next collection please check the Recycle homepage.

Most of our homes are filled with products that are classified as "hazardous".  A product is considered to be hazardous if it contains corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients.  These materials require special care during usage, storage and disposal.  Below are some common household items that may contain hazardous ingredients.    

Cleaning Products:

  • Oven cleaners
  • Drain cleaners
  • Wood and metal cleaners and polishes
  • Toilet cleaners
  • Tub, tile, shower cleaners
  • Bleach (laundry)
  • Pool chemicals

Automotive Products:

  • Motor Oil
  • Fuel additives
  • Carburetor and fuel injection cleaners
  • Air conditioning refrigerants
  • Starter fluids
  • Automotive batteries
  • Transmission and brake fluid
  • Antifreeze

Lawn and Garden Products:

  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Fungicides/wood preservatives

Other Flammable Products:

  • Propane tanks and other compressed gas cylinders
  • Kerosene
  • Home heating oil
  • Diesel fuel
  • Gas/oil mix
  • Lighter fluid

Indoor Pesticides:

  • Ant sprays and baits
  • Cockroach sprays and baits
  • Flea repellent and shampoos
  • Bug sprays
  • Houseplant insecticides
  • Moth repellents
  • Mouse and rat poisons and baits

Workshop/Painting Supplies:

  • Adhesives and glues
  • Furniture strippers
  • Oil or enamel based paint
  • Stains and finishes
  • Paint thinners and turpentine
  • Paint strippers and removers
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Fixatives and other solvents

Miscellaneous:

  • Batteries
  • Mercury thermostats, thermometers or other devices containing mercury 
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Driveway sealer                 

For more information on products and their potential health effects visit the National Library of Medicine's Household Product Database 

Now that you know these materials are hazardous, what should you do with them?  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends reduction first, then reuse, recycling and disposal as a last resort.