Hazardous Waste

Many common household products contain hazardous materials. These products can be harmful to our health and pollute our air, land and water if they are not used, stored or disposed of properly.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is any waste material that is a threat to human health or harm to the environment if not disposed of properly. Most products labeled dangerous, flammable, poison, combustible and corrosive are considered hazardous waste.

Common examples include:

• Automotive products -  antifreeze, batteries, brake and transmission fluid, degreasers, fuel, motor oil, and used oil filters
   
• Household products - adhesives, aerosols, cleaners, fire extinguishers, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, paint, pool chemicals, propane tanks, mercury thermometers, paint and paint thinners
   
• Lawn care products - fertilizers, pesticides, poisons
   
• Personal care products - hairspray, nail polish, perfume
   

Disposal Options

County drop-off sites: Ramsey County and Washington County operate year-round and mobile HHW collection sites.

Paint: It is more convenient than ever to recycle paint in Minnesota! Go to the PaintCare site locator to find a list of retail locations near you that accept leftover paint.

Medicine: Safely dispose of unwanted, expired, and unused medicine for free at a Ramsey County medicine drop box location. Needles, lancets, used epinephrine pens and other 'sharps' are NOT accepted at medicine drop boxes. Properly dispose of sharps at a Ramsey County or Washington County HHW collection site. The medicine drop box at the WBL Public Safety building is closed until mid-2024 due to construction.

Electronics: Visit our electronics recycling page for information on where to recycle electronics.