Several household hazardous waste (HHW) items can be easily recycled. Many are collected for recycling at county landfills or transfer stations, local automotive shops, electronics or hardware stores or by a non-profit organization.

Below are some resources for recycling or the proper disposal of some common HHW.

Fluorescent Lamps

• Many localities are beginning to provide for the collection of fluorescent light bulbs in Virginia. Check with your county or city recycling manager.
• Some retailers collect compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs (also called pig tail, corkscrew and spiral bulbs) at their stores, such as Ikea and Home Depot.

Lead acid batteries: All locations that sell motor vehicle batteries are required to take back used batteries for recycling.

Computers, TVs, cell phones and other electronics recycling: Available recycling options for electronics have increased in the past several years. For more information, visit DEQ's Computers and Electronics Recycling page.

Unused or unwanted pharmaceuticals: Disposal of extra or left over medicine or prescription drugs is an emerging and complex environmental issue. DEQ has put together guidelines for the proper disposal of unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs on the Pharmaceuticals Waste page.

Many service stations, auto repair shops, parts stores and local governments provide collection sites for these waste products.  Please contact your locality's recycling program coordinator for information about used oil recycling where you live. Information on the collection center locations may also be obtained through DEQ's Toll-Free Hotline number, 1-800-592-5482. 

The Used Oil Recycling Program was originally directed towards Do-It-Yourself (DIY) oil changers, and as DIY'ers appear to fewer in number today, the used oil recycling program promotes the responsible management of used motor oils, antifreeze and other automotive engine maintenance fluids, and oil filters by all sectors, both public and private. As an environmental hazard, used motor oil or antifreeze should never be poured on the ground or down a storm drain. When managed properly, used motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze and other automotive engine maintenance fluids can be recycled or "beneficially used."

Please contact your local collection site to make sure that they are still collecting these automotive waste products. Also, remember to bring your materials in appropriate containers. For safety reasons, you should not transport liquids in glass containers. Also, you should wrap your used oil filters in paper to prevent leaks or spills. Never mix other fluids with oil or antifreeze.

How else do you get rid of HHW? Many communities in Virginia offer a variety of options for safely managing HHW, such as annual collection events or permanent collection locations. Search on the internet for Virginia county and city web sites for information about local household hazardous waste collection programs.

1. Use the product in the manner directed by the manufacturer of the product – carefully read the label.
2. Use the product at the recommended strength.
3. Do not mix chemical substances.
4. Prevent the splashing of chemicals.
5. Wear gloves and eye protection when pouring chemicals.
6. Keep areas well ventilated.
7. Secure lids tightly.

• Keep substances in the original container.
• Be sure label is securely affixed to the container.
• If the original container is leaking, enclose it in a larger container that is labeled appropriately.
• Keep in a cool, dry place.
• Keep substances out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep incompatible chemical products separated.
• Periodically check containers for deterioration.

If your community does not have a HHW collection program, or if you must throw away your HHW before the next collection event, you may put HHW in your regular trash. Below are some tips that may ease the effects of HHW that is disposed of:

• When handling chemicals be safe and use caution at all times.
• Make sure there are no free standing liquids in the product.
  • If the product is water-based, allow the liquid to evaporate.
  • If the product is not water-based, add kitty litter, saw dust or other absorbent material to the container with the product in it or place the product into a clean, intact and compatible container and add kitty litter to it before disposal.
  • This should be done in a container and not on the floor or ground.
• Carefully package any residue to prevent leakage while the material is being transported to a disposal facility.
• CAREFULLY divide larger quantities up into smaller amounts in clean, intact and compatible containers that close tightly and dispose of them over several collection periods.
• Comply with the disposal instruction on the product’s label.

Are you a retailer or local solid waste management official looking for information on how to set up a HHW collection program? Refer to the U.S. EPA HHW management manual for one day community collection programs.