Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is a catch-all phrase for any household product that may be toxic to human health or the environment and/or requires special handling for proper disposal. You may be surprised to find so many of these products in your home. Identify them by looking for words of WARNING, CAUTION, or DANGER. These products generally have characteristics that make them flammable, volatile, toxic, corrosive, caustic, reactive, or poisonous. If a product contains phosphates, if use may irritate eyes, is harmful if swallowed, or needs to be used with protection, it is probably a common household hazardous waste product.

It’s best to choose non-toxic, biodegradable, environmentally safe products. Buy only the amount of product you need, store properly, and use the product up entirely. If you have remaining product to dispose of, consider your recycling options. Many automotive fluids – motor oil, brake oil, transmission fluid, and antifreeze – can often be recycled through local service stations. Many of the materials in this “Special Materials” section fall under the HHW category and most Michigan counties provide seasonal collection events or will take these materials by appointment for proper disposal. Call your local or county recycling contact for more information. Here’s a list of common HHW: