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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are wastes produced in our households that are hazardous in nature, but are not regulated as hazardous waste under federal and state laws. Each person in Pennsylvania produces an average of four pounds of HHW each year for a total of about 25,000 tons/yr. statewide. If carelessly managed, these consumer waste products can create environmental and public health hazards. Household Hazardous Waste is that portion of a household product that is no longer usable, leftover, or unwanted and has to be disposed of. You can tell if a product is hazardous if it has words like CAUTION, WARNING, POISON, or FLAMMABLE on the label. back to topHow can I manage and reduce HHW? The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item "to do the job" and buying only the minimum amounts necessary. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it ultimately needs to be discarded. If the material is still usable (e.g., undamaged, still within designated shelf life), check with friends and neighbors to see if they can use it. Community groups such as Little League, Habitat for Humanity, etc. may also be able to use the materials. What types of HHW do you accept at collection events? We accept nearly every chemical product found in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, garden shed, or workshop. These include:
If you have questions about specific products, please call the HHW hotline at (412) 488-7452. What products, items or materials are NOT ACCEPTED at HHW collection events? We DO NOT ACCEPT the following: Ammunition, appliances, prescription or non-prescription drugs, compressed gas cylinders (including propane tanks), radioactive materials/smoke detectors, explosives, flares, fluorescent tubes, leaking containers, industrial/commercial waste, bulk waste, medical waste or tires. For information on how to properly recycle or dispose of items we cannot accept, please refer to our "Other HHW/Hard to recycle/Hard to dispose of" Resource Guide. If you have questions about specific products, please call the HHW hotline at (412) 488-7452.
You can also contact your local County Recycling Coordinator for further information about recycling or disposal. Please note that we cannot accept leaky containers! Tip: To avoid spills and damage to your vehicle, never put leaky containers into your car!
Is latex paint considered a HHW? Latex paint is not a hazardous waste, but paints — both latex and oil-based — can pollute groundwater, so never throw liquid paint products into your trash. Since latex paint is not hazardous, it can be disposed of with your regular municipal waste if you use the following procedure:
Oil-based paint, stains and varnishes are hazardous and should be taken to a waste collection event. How much does it cost to dispose of HHW? The price for disposal of HHW is $2.00 per gallon. We do our best to properly estimate the volume of waste that you bring to our events, but this is by no means an exact science! Please remember that the $2.00 charge is nominal, and simply helps to subsidize our costs; it does not cover them. We are a non-profit organization providing a valuable community service to Southwestern PA. How do I get to an upcoming HHW collection event? Please visit the following websites for driving directions: HHW Contact: Michael Stepaniak | Phone: 412.488.7452 | Email: michaels@ccicenter.org
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