Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) can be harmful to the environment, so it’s important to properly dispose of and divert as much as we can from entering the landfill. Several times a year, Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) partners with local municipalities to offer residential recycling collection events that make it easy for residents to discard items like old batteries, unused household cleaners, gasoline and motor oils. Most items are free to dispose of, with the exception of latex and water-based paints, which will incur a small fee for disposal because they’re not harmful and can be safely disposed of in household trash.
What’s Considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
Identifying HHW is simple. Look for key words on the container or tag, like poison, danger, caution, flammable, corrosive, or “use in a well-ventilated area.”
Households generate a wide range of poisonous, dangerous, flammable and corrosive products, including lawn chemicals, solvents, household cleaners and pool chemicals. These materials should not be tossed out with household garbage but should be taken to a mobile collection event or the permanent facility located at 645 E. 8th Avenue in Columbus (43201).
Save the Date: Upcoming HHW Collection Events
Have a garage or basement full of products that you think might be considered HHW? Save the date for these two upcoming collection events:
- September 11, 2021 – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Westerville Service Complex, 350 Park Meadow Rd., Westerville, Ohio 43081 - October 2, 2021 – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Kingston Center, 3226 Kingston Ave., Grove City, Ohio 43123
Can’t make it to one of these mobile events? No problem. Visit the permanent facility at a time that’s convenient for you. Get directions and hours of operations here.
Webinar Reminder: Household Hazardous Waste 101 on Wednesday September 8, 2021
Join SWACO and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) on Wednesday, September 8 from 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. to learn more about how to identify HHW, where to properly dispose of it in Franklin County, and explore cleaning alternatives that are safer for people and the environment. Click here to register.
With your help, we can keep our community clean, reduce waste, and lessen our impact on the local environment. Click here for more information on accepted and unaccepted items, local HHW events, and address and hours of operation for the permanent facility.
Together, we can make a difference! Visit swaco.org/195/Household-Hazardous-Waste for details.
