Frequently asked questions

A hazardous waste is any substance that is a waste and threatens human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes may be solid, liquid, gas or sludge. They may be the by-products of manufacturing processes or unwanted commercial products. A waste may be hazardous if it is specifically listed or it has at least one of these characteristics: ignitable (flammable), corrosive, reactive (explosive), and toxic to living organisms.

• 90 days, if waste generated is > 1000 kg/month
• 180 days, if waste generated is < 1000 kg/month
• 270 days, if waste generated is < 1000 kg/month and transported
• Over 200 miles for disposal

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are generated by several sectors of society. Hazardous wastes contain harmful elements, which, if put in the trash may harm people or the environment.
Universal wastes include:

• Common Batteries – AA, AAA, C cells, D cells and button batteries (e.g. hearing aid batteries). These include alkaline, Ni-Cad and lithium batteries.
• Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs and Other Mercury-Containing Lamps – Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs, high intensity discharge (HID), metal halide, sodium, and neon bulbs.
• Thermostats – There is mercury inside the sealed glass "tilt switch" of older thermostats.
• Electronic Devices such as: televisions and computer monitors, computers, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios, and microwave ovens.
• Mercury Thermometers – Mercury thermometers typically contain about a half gram of mercury.
• Non-Empty Aerosol Cans– Many products in aerosol cans are toxic. And many aerosol cans contain flammables, like butane, as propellants for products like paint or solvents.

“Medical waste” means any biohazardous, pathology, pharmaceutical, or trace chemotherapy waste not regulated by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; sharps, biohazardous waste and trace chemotherapy wastes generated in a health care setting in the diagnosis, treatment, immunization, or care of humans or animals; sharps and laboratory waste that poses a potential risk of infection to humans generated in the inoculation of animals in commercial farming operations; waste generated from the consolidation of home-generated sharps; and waste generated in the cleanup of trauma scenes.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any unwanted household product labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive. The most common products include aerosols, anti-freeze, fertilizers, motor oil, paint supplies, photo chemicals, pesticides, and solvents.

Improper disposal of these products is not only illegal, but can contaminate drinking water, pollute the bay, and seriously injure garbage and recycling collection and landfill employees. Many municipalities offer a Household Hazardous Waste Program that provides free disposal to all residents to ensure safe disposal. Usually businesses are not allowed to utilize HHW drop off facilities.