What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?

According to the California Health and Safety Code, “Household hazardous waste means any hazardous waste generated incidental to owning or maintaining a place of residence. Household hazardous waste does not include any waste generated in the course of operating a business at a residence.” Some jobs around the home may require the use of products containing hazardous components. Such products may include certain paints, cleaners, stains and varnishes, car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides. The unused or leftover contents of such consumer products are known as “household hazardous waste” or HHW. Household hazardous waste includes: used oil filters, paint, antifreeze, batteries, propane tanks, pesticides, household cleaners, pool chemicals, sharps/needles, and fluorescent bulbs.

Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year. Don’t throw hazardous waste in the trash! Municipal landfills cannot accept hazardous waste. Bring your household hazardous waste (HHW) to a FREE collection facility or event.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Flyer

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Spanish Flyer

For more information, please call the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at 800.304.2226 or 951.486.3200, or you can visit their website at www.rcwaste.org.

Acceptable Waste & Material

All Riverside County active landfills are permitted as Class III landfills. Class III landfills accept only non-hazardous municipal solid waste for disposal; no hazardous or liquid waste can be accepted.

Adhesives, Drain Openers, Antifreeze, Paints (Oil and Latex), Batteries (auto, single use, rechargeable), Solvents, Pesticides, Household Cleaners, Used Oil and Filters, Swimming Pool Chemicals, Nail Polish, Fuels, Propane Cylinders/Tanks, Cosmetics, Fertilizers, Fluorescent Bulbs, Ballasts, Fire Extinguishers, Used Oil Filters and Electronic Wastes are some examples of household hazardous waste (HHW). HHW are products marked with the words, “Toxic” or “Poison”, “Flammable” or “Combustible”, or “Danger”, “Caution” or “Warning”. However, anything else that is labeled with the following is also considered HHW:

• Toxic - Poisonous or causes long-term illness (such as cancer). Pesticides, cleaners, antifreeze and many other products are toxic.
• Flammable - Burns easily. Paint, thinners and other solvents, and auto products are the most common flammable home products.
• Corrosive - Dissolves metal or human tissue (acid, for example). Oven cleaner, drain cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner and auto batteries are common corrosive products.
• Oxidizer -  Common oxidizers contain chlorine or bromine and are good sanitizers (i.e. swimming pool chlorine).

Unacceptable Material

HHW locations are for RESIDENTIAL use only. Photo documentation will be made of excessive or suspected non-residential loads. The following waste CANNOT be accepted at ANY Riverside County HHW Collection Facility:

• Business, non-profit, or out-of county hazardous waste
• Explosives and Ammunition 
• Radioactive or Remediation Materials 
• Medical/Infections Waste (except Sharps) 
• Asbestos 
• Appliances 
• Tires 
• 55 or 30 gallon drums 
• Compressed gas cylinders greater than 40 pounds

Please visit the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources website for additional details about transporting Household Hazardous Waste to a collection event at www.rcwaste.org/hhw.

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