Household Hazardous Waste

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, flammable, or reactive components are defined as household hazardous waste (HHW).

Do not:

  • pour down the drain or on the ground
  • dump into the storm sewer
  • discard into the garbage
  • bury 

Municipal sewage systems and private septic systems do not filter or remove these products from our wastewater, allowing hazardous substances to enter our waterways. Burying these items can lead to groundwater contamination.

Where to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

You can also drop off your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) at our weekend event in October. We will safely dispose of the waste on your behalf.

Click here for more information.

For more information about how and where to dispose of household hazardous waste, call the Recycling Council of BC Hot Line at 604.732.9253 or click here to visit the Recycling Council of British Columbia website.

How to Tell if an Item is Hazardous

If your product label contains one of the following warning symbols or you suspect it to be hazardous, it must be disposed in a safe and responsible manner.

VERY TOXIC

Can immediately and seriously poison or damage living organisms.

Examples: Pesticides, chemicals, rat poison, bleach (Comet, Vim), pharmaceuticals, cleaning fluid

REACTIVE

Can react violently when mixed with other agents or when placed under heat or pressure.

Examples: Aerosols, propane cylinders

CORROSIVE

Can eat away at surfaces, including skin.

Examples: Batteries, drain cleaners (Drano), oven cleaners

TOXIC

Can poison or damage living organisms.

Examples: Mercury, cadmium

FLAMMABLE

Can easily burn (flammable and combustible).

Examples: Paints, solvent, oils, gasoline, BBQ starter

Hazardous wastes also include the following:

  • paint and solvents
  • automotive wastes (motor oil, antifreeze, etc.)
  • electronics (TV, cell phones, mp3 players, etc.)
  • mercury containing wastes (switches, fluorescent lighting, thermometers, etc.)
  • batteries
  • aerosols and propane cylinders
  • cleaning agents and caustics
  • radioactive waste
  • appliances containing refrigerant (fridges, freezers, etc.)

More Information

Engineering Division
604.532.7300
enginfo@tol.ca