A Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any waste generated from a home that exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:  

·      Toxicity-harms wildlife and human health

·      Ignitability-easy to catch on fire   

·      Corrosivity-dissolves other materials

·      Reactivity-reacts in a harmful way with other chemicals including air

NEVER throw away HHW products by pouring them on the ground, in ponds, down a storm drain or in a sewer! Discarding these products with your normal trash is also unsafe as they will eventually make their way into the water supply. In order to dispose of HHW in an environmentally friendly way, be on the look out for HHW collection days.  Lawrence County regularly works with PA CleanWays of Butler - Lawrence Counties and other organizations to provide opportunities for you to safely get rid of your HHWs.

There are a number of ways that you can reduce the amount of HHW that you generate.  These tips include:

·        Buy only what you need

·        Share or give away excess

·        Use up what you buy

·        Use less-toxic alternatives

·        Take it to a HHW collection event

                                               ·        Take responsibility for what you buy

Resist the urge to buy more than you need.  For example, materials such as paints or pesticides seem cheaper when you buy a larger amount.  If you only need a half gallon of paint, buy two quarts instead of one gallon.  Buying larger quantities isn’t really a bargain if you have to get rid of it down the road.  Storage is also an important aspect of HHW safety. If you end up with leftover HHWs, store them safely by following these tips:

·        Seal the lids

·        Keep them cool and dry

·        Avoid storing them near food

·        Avoid heat

·        NEVER store your HHWs in places that are accessible to children!

 HHW Collection Events are the best way to dispose of your HHWs. When transporting your HHWs to one of these events or to another location for use, follow these tips:

 ·        Wear gloves

·        Use lined boxes for packing

·        Place your materials in your truck and safely secure them. (Liners are helpful)

·        Follow any and all instructions given by the event holders

Visit the Southwestern Household Hazardous Waste Task Force at www.swpahhw.org for more information about HHW and upcoming HHW events.

You can also download a detailed booklet about HHW from the website.  The booklet was developed by the Pennsylvania Resources Council and can be downloaded at:  http://www.swpahhw.org/pubs/PRC_HHW_Booklet.pdf .

Check our calendar of events for the next HHW collection.