If you did your spring cleaning or had extra time to tidy up over the last few months, you may have encountered some hazardous chemicals. If you’re unfamiliar with how to dispose of those items, we’ve outlined some ways to keep them from contaminating the environment.
Some leftover or used household products contain chemicals that can present safety concerns if not managed properly. These products are often called household hazardous waste (HHW) and can include items like:
Many communities in Texas either have HHW drop-off facilities or hold HHW collection events for their residents. TCEQ maintains a list of ongoing programs and individually scheduled events* posted on our HHW Program Contacts page.
*Please contact your local collection event or facility to verify operation hours, acceptance of materials, or any fees that may apply.
To protect both yourself and the workers who accept your HHW at a collection site, follow some basic guidelines and tips for storage, transportation, and care of your material:
The TCEQ does not maintain a list of collections of any combination of the following:
These “BOPA” materials are generally nonhazardous or are regulated under other programs, so collections of only these materials are exempt from state HHW requirements.
To find a site that may accept BOPA items, check with your local city.
You can decrease the HHW in your own home by following some simple guidelines.
REDUCE the amount of HHW you keep in your house:
Think REUSE:
If you have any questions regarding specific items, we encourage you to read more on TCEQ’s Household Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Texans webpage for disposal information.
We’ve included some additional resources below to help you manage and properly dispose of HHW so you can help Take Care of Texas!
