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Household Hazardous Waste Events
Materials are accepted at household hazardous waste community collection events. Upcoming dates will be posted on our Calendar of Events.
Permanent Locations and Hours
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste refers to used or leftover contents of consumer products that contain materials with one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste: toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive as defined by the EPA. Household hazardous waste should not be disposed of in the regular trash.
The Fairfax County Household Hazardous Waste Program accepts hazardous chemicals from residents free of charge and disposes or recycles them according to all local, state and federal regulations. Hazardous wastes from businesses are handled separately.
Household hazardous waste is best managed outside of the regular municipal solid waste stream. If handled properly, it will decrease the likelihood that these elements will enter the environment.
The safest way to dispose of household hazardous waste is to carefully pack them up and bring them to one of the county's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites. NOTE: This service is available to Fairfax County residents only.
Please read the following chart carefully. Only items marked "YES" in the second column may be taken to one of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites.
Material |
Accepted at
|
Additional Instructions |
| Acids | YES | |
| Aerosol sprays | YES | |
| Ammunition or explosives | NO | Call the Police Department, 703-246-2253, TTY 703-204-2264. |
| Asbestos products |
See additional instructions |
See "Asbestos" in our list of Acceptable/Unacceptable Waste. |
| Automotive (lead acid) batteries |
NO |
Used automotive batteries can be traded in when purchasing new ones. Also, all lead acid batteries may be taken to the Recycling and Disposal Centers any day of the week. |
| Automotive: gasoline, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid |
YES |
Other automotive fluids (diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil) are not accepted at the Hazardous Waste Sites. Instead, they may be recycled in the used motor oil area of the Recycling and Disposal Centers. |
| Batteries: Alkaline (A, AA, C), Carbon Zinc |
NO |
Dispose of Alkaline and Carbon Zinc batteries in the regular trash. |
| Batteries: button, rechargeable (other than lead acid) |
YES |
Both button and rechargeable batteries (with the exception of lead acid) are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Sites. Rechargeable batteries may also be taken to additional collection points. |
| Cleaning products: ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners, most bathroom cleaners |
NO |
Pour ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners and most bathroom cleaners down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains. |
| Cleaning products: polishes, rust removers, floor care products |
YES |
|
| Coal tar products (driveway, foundation and roof sealers) | YES | |
| Compressed gas cylinders | NO |
Return to point of purchase. Also see "Gas Propane Tanks." |
| Cooking oil | YES |
Label clearly. Although not categorized as a hazardous waste, this material is processed separately from trash when possible. Take it to one of the household hazardous waste sites, do not take it to the motor oil collection area. Small quantities of cooking oil can be placed in the trash. |
| Creosote products (wood treatment products, wood sealers) | YES | |
| Fireworks and Flares | NO | Dispose of legal fireworks in trash after first soaking in water. Contact the Fire Prevention Division, 703-246-4849, TTY 703-385-4419 regarding illegal fireworks. |
| Fluorescent light bulbs | YES | |
| Glue, solvent-based |
YES |
|
| Glue, water-based |
NO |
Dispose of water-based glue in trash. |
| Gas propane tanks, small hand-type torches |
YES |
Tanks up to 20 pounds such as those used on gas grills can be taken to one of the Recycling and Disposal Centers for a fee. Also see "Compressed Gas Cylinders" |
| Gas propane tanks, weighing over 20 pounds |
NO |
Also see Compressed Gas Cylinders" |
| Home renovation: varnish and stains, driveway sealers |
YES |
Also see "Paint" |
| Inks and dyes | YES | |
| Medicines |
NO
|
DO NOT flush unused medicines down the toilet unless the label specifically directs you to do so. Never pour products down storm drains. DO throw unwanted medicines in the trash following these directions. Also see "Syringes, needles and other medical sharps" |
| Mercury products | YES | |
| Moth balls | YES | |
| Nail polish, nail polish remover | YES | |
| Paint, latex |
See additional |
Latex paint that has dried can be safely disposed of in the regular trash. (TIP: You can pour latex paint onto an old newspaper. Once dry, roll up the newspaper and dispose of it in the trash.) If you are unable to allow the latex paint to dry, you may take it to one of the county's Household Hazardous Waste sites. |
| Paint, oil-based and paint thinner |
YES |
|
| Photographic mixes | NO | Diluted developers, fixers, etc. can be poured down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains. |
| Poisons | YES | Label clearly. |
| Pool chemicals | YES | |
| Radioactive materials | NO | Contact the Fire Prevention Division at 703-246-4849, TTY 711. |
| Shoe Polish | NO | Dispose of shoe polish in regular trash. |
| Smoke alarms | NO | May throw in trash or send back to manufacturer. |
|
Syringes, needles and other medical sharps |
NO | Dispose in regular trash after placing in an empty can or jar with screw on lid. Mark the container "residential sharps." |
| Yard care products: fertilizers (lawn and garden, tree spikes) |
NO |
Dispose of fertilizers in regular trash. |
| Yard care products: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, weed killers |
YES |
Procedures for Packing and Transporting Household Hazardous Waste
- Keep products in their original containers. Do not mix products. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. Label materials that are not in their original containers.
- Place leaking containers in a larger, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Secure products upright in cardboard box so that they do not tip over in transport. Do not transport products in plastic bags.
- Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported in car passenger compartment.
- Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition. Do not smoke.
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