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1. What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?

Household Hazardous Waste is generally considered leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.

2. How can I dispose of latex paint?

Latex paint can be recycled all year long at any one of our 13 convenience sites. No need to hold onto it until the next household hazardous waste collection event, bring it to any one of our convenience sites for disposal.

3. How can I dispose of spray paint and oil-based paint?

Spray paints and oil based paints should be held until the household hazardous waste collection event. If the containers are empty, they may be disposed of in the regular trash.

4. How can I dispose of household batteries? Is there a difference between single use and rechargeable?

Everyday Batteries

Everyday common non-rechargeable batteries (i.e. AA, AAA, C, D) can be disposed of in the regular trash. This is because most manufacturers have reformulated the batteries to not include heavy metals like mercury. The removal of these metals from the batteries means that they no longer contain any items classified as hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is important to remember to not dispose of large quantities of batteries together, as even dead batteries may still hold partial charges. If the batteries make contact they may produce a safety risk.

Rechargeable Batteries

But what about rechargeable batteries? Due to their chemical makeup, rechargeable batteries cannot be disposed of in the regular trash. For the nearest recyclers of rechargeable and cell phone batteries, visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation and use their quick and easy search tool.

5. What can I dispose of year round?

Some items that can be poured down the drain inside your home, if you are on the County Water and Sewer systems (Do not pour down storm drains or in septic systems):

• Ammonia based cleaners (Windex, Glass Plus, etc)
• Drain cleaners (Drano, Liquid Plumber, etc)
• Most bathroom cleaners (Pine-Sol, etc)

Some items that can be disposed of, along with the regular trash:

• Empty containers of any kind if they have been triple rinsed.
• Batteries: alkaline and carbon zinc

6. How can I reduce the amount of hazardous materials in my home?

• Use alternatives to hazardous products (i.e. natural cleaners - baking soda, vinegar, ammonia, etc.)
• Read the label. Investigate the product's dangers before you make the purchase.
• Buy only what you need to get the job done.
• Share or donate unused portions with family, friends, charity, etc.
• Waste oil, kerosene, antifreeze and propane tanks can be brought to County facilities year round.

See Solid Waste Centers for the options nearest you.

7. How can I safely manage HHW?

The EPA offers the following:

To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the regular trash.

The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. They can also present hazards to children and pets if left around the house.

Some quick tips for the safe handling of household hazardous wastes include:

• Follow any instructions for use and storage provided on product labels carefully to prevent any accidents at home.
• Be sure to read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility.
• Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however, require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions.
• When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.
• Remember, even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain so handle them with care also.
• Bring your HHW to the HHW events that are held twice a year at the Chancellor Convenience Center.  For dates and times, view the HHW page.

Show All Answers

1. What is recycling?

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.  Recycling can benefit your community, the economy, and the environment.

2. What can I recycle?

Spotsylvania Recycles bases collection off of a Single Stream Program. This program allows residents the ease and convenience of placing all acceptable materials into a single hopper. This enhanced recycling program decreases the amount of trash generated and increases the diversion/recycling rate, saving valuable Landfill space.

Single Stream Recycling (PDF) allows you to mix all your recycling into one container. Staff has evaluated other options and has found that this method is the most economical to the taxpayer in meeting state-mandated recycling goals. Staff will continue to explore new options to continue to seek the most economical form of recycling for its customers. No Plastic Bags or Styrofoam.

For more information, view the Accepted Items page.

3. Where can I recycle?

Spotsylvania Recycles offers recycling options at the County’s 13 convenience centers. However, not all items are accepted at all convenience centers; to see the recycling options nearest to you, see Center Locations. Staff is working to make all recycling options available at all Convenience Centers in the near future. We are always looking for ideas and comments from the public on how to improve recycling programs, so email Recycle Ideas.

4. What is single stream recycling?

Single Stream Recycling allows residents the ease and convenience of placing all acceptable recyclable materials into a single hopper. This enhanced recycling program decreases the amount of trash generated and increases the diversion/recycling rate, saving valuable Landfill space. Please NO Plastic Bags or Styrofoam.

For more information, view the Accepted Items page. 

For more information about Solid Waste Center Hours and Schedule, view the Solid Waste Center Information page.

5. Why is it important to only put items that can be recycled in the recycling bin?

Putting items in the recycling bin that can’t be recycled can contaminate the recycling stream. After these unrecyclable items arrive at recycling centers, they can cause costly damage to the equipment. Additionally, after arriving at recycling centers, they must be sorted out and then sent to landfills, which raises costs for the facility. That is why it is important to check the Accepted Items list before you go to the solid waste facility to place items into the bin. 

For more information, view the Accepted Items page.