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Household Hazardous Waste and Problem Materials
Includes: Asbestos Tars, HHW, Mace, Mineral Spirits, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Paint Thinner, Pepper Spray, Photochemicals, Pool Chemicals, Roofing Tar, Rust Remover, Sealant, Solvents, Spot Remover, Stains and Removers, Swimming Pool Chemicals, Swimming Pool Cleaners, Turpentine, Varnish, Varnishes, Wood Preservatives
Accepted At These Hennepin County Facilities. Proof of residency required (MN drivers license or current utility bill).
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Item Accepted As: Problem Material Household Hazardous Waste |
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See fee information below. |
Containers must be 5 gallons or less in size and labeled. Other quantity limits apply for electronics, fluorescent lamps, hydrofluoric acid, joint compound and paint. See details on the specific item pages for those materials.
When chemical products are no longer usable or wanted, they become household hazardous waste. Problem materials include many items that are prohibited from disposal in household trash or pose other disposal issues.
Household hazardous wastes and problem materials should not be placed in household trash. Household hazardous products can be harmful to human health and the environment if used, stored or disposed of improperly.
What are household hazardous wastes and problem materials?
Household hazardous wastes and problem materials include, but are not limited to:
(Follow the link for more specific information on a material. Most materials are accepted for free, but fees apply where indicated.)
- Acid
- Adhesives
- Aerosols
- Appliances (fees apply)
- Automotive fluids
- Batteries
- Cleaners
- Electronics
- Joint compound
- Lead-acid batteries
- Mercury-containing items (fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, thermometers)
- Motor oil and filters
- Paint
- Personal care products - hair spray, nail polish and remover, perfume and cologne
- Pesticides and poisons
- Photochemicals
- Pool chemicals
- Stains and varnishes
- Tires (fees apply)
For a more detailed list of household hazardous waste and problem materials, see the Household Hazardous Waste and Problem Materials Guide.
How do I know what products are hazardous?
- Read the label and look for the signal words: Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison (listed least to most hazardous). These words indicate the product is a hazardous waste and should be brought to a drop-off facility for proper disposal.
- Labels may also include characteristic words and/or precautionary statements that indicate the type of hazard posed by the product. Looks for words like Flammable/Combustible, Corrosive, Toxic or Reactive.
See the factsheet How to Identify Hazardous Product: Read the Label for more information.
Tips for storage, use and disposal
- Purchase the least hazardous product for the job and purchase an amount that can be used up.
- Use all of the product before buying new.
- Read and follow Instructions for product use, storage and proper disposal.
- Read and follow the safety instructions listed on the label.
- Store in a locked cupboard or on a high shelf out of the reach of children.
- Store in a place where it will not freeze.
- Store away from heat or flames.
- Keep in original container.
- Do not mix products together.
- Do not use product if it is more than 10 years old - it may be banned.
How should I transport my household hazardous waste to your facility?
For your safety and the safety of our employees, please transport your household hazardous waste in sealed containers, inside a plastic lined box, in an upright position.
Containers must be 5 gallons or less in size and properly labeled with the contents if original labels are missing or unreadable. Containers larger than 5 gallons are not accepted at county drop-off facilities.