around the house
hazardous household products / disposing
There are a number of problems that can occur when we discard hazardous household waste using common disposal methods. Recommendations for proper disposal will depend upon both the particular type of waste and the waste disposal options available in your community.
Local ordinances vary. Landfills may or may not accept certain hazardous household products. They also may vary on how they want the product to arrive at the landfill. For example, one landfill may want you to solidify (air-dry) paint and wrap the container. Another landfill may want paint handled a different way. In addition, waste water treatment plants may not allow certain liquids to be poured down the drain. If you have any questions, call your landfill, local waste water treatment company, local waste management office or the Extension Home Economics Agent at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service center in your countv.
Click on the links below to find out more about the recommended disposal methods for hazardous household waste.
- Don't pour it down the drain.
- Don't pour it in ditches, storm drains orgutters.
- Don't burn it.
- Don't dump it or bury it.
- Throw it in the trash (with special treatment).
- Flush a very small amount - no more than a cup - down the drain with plenty of water.
- Follow the label instructions.
- Recycle.
- Save for a collection day.
Be a good citizen. Use and dispose of hazardous household waste responsible. Call your County Extension Home Economics Agent or the local waste management agency, water treatment plant or landfill if you have questions. Make sure the disposal method you use is a safe one so that the hazardous waste does not contaminate your drinking water.
Improper disposal may allow these chemicals to contaminate soil and/or water.
Emergency First Aid:
Poison Control Center, 1-800 672-1697
To report products that have harmed you:
U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, 1-800-638-2772
Household Products Disposal Council, 1-202-659-5535.
Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Disposal
Buncombe County accepts household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics every Friday between 9am and 3pm at a special drop-off area at the Landfill.
Each week, we accept electronics from residents at no charge. Businesses will also be able to drop off electronics, but they will be charged a fee of 30 cents per pound.
The following items must be separated out of loads and brought to the electronics recycling area:
- Computers (monitors, CPU’s, keyboards)
- Calculators
- Copiers
- Fax Machines
- VCR’s & DVD Players
- Telephones
- Stereos
- Televisions
- Cell Phones
- Video cameras
Household Hazardous Waste is also accepted on Fridays:
- Paint & paint related items such as water sealer, paint thinners, enamels and polyurethane will be charged at $2.00 per gallon.
- There is no charge for pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, motor oil, antifreeze and lead acid batteries.
- No hazardous wastes from businesses will be accepted.
- Bio-Hazardous materials, radio actives and explosives are NOT accepted at any time.
Contact Info
If you have any questions, please contact the Solid Waste Office at 250-5460 or the Landfill at 250-5462.