Household Hazardous Waste

Ask the Waste Wizard to find out where and how to properly dispose of an item.

 

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is corrosive, flammable, explosive or poisonous and must not be put in the garbage, Blue Bin (recycling), Green Bin (organics) or poured down the drain, toilet or sewer.

 

universal corrosive symbol of skeletal hand
Corrosive
Universal flammable symbol of flames inside octagon
Flammable
Universal explosive symbol
Explosive
universal poisonous symbol of skull and crossbones
Poisonous

 

HHW requires special handling because it can harm workers and cause fires and explosions in collection trucks and at waste management facilities. Improper disposal of HHW also has negative effects on the environment and can be harmful to humans and animals.

Collage of household hazardous waste items listed below.

Car and Garage Products

  • Antifreeze
  • Body fillers
  • Brake fluid
  • Car batteries
  • Car wax with solvent
  • Fuel (gasoline, diesel, kerosene)
  • Motor oil (new and used)
  • Oil filters (new and used)
  • Windshield washer fluid

Personal Care Products

  • Alcohol-based lotions (aftershave, perfume, etc.)
  • Medication and vitamins
  • Nail polish and remover
  • Syringes and medical sharps (must be put in a puncture-resistant sealed container labeled “needles”)

Household Cleaning Products

  • Abrasive powders
  • Ammonia-based cleaners
  • Bleach
  • Disinfectants
  • Drain cleaners
  • Floor and furniture polish
  • Glass and mirror cleaners
  • Metal and oven cleaners
  • Rug and upholstery cleaners
  • Silver polish

Lights

  • Bulbs
  • Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
  • Dimmable light bulbs
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Halogen bulbs
  • Headlight bulbs
  • Indicator lights
  • Incandescent bulbs
  • Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs
  • Ultra High Performance (UHP) (replacement projector lamps)
  • UV and germicidal bulbs
  • Wi-Fi light bulbs

Note: Lights, other than CFLs and fluorescent tubes which both contain mercury, were added as HHW items in 2023 because lighting producers are now responsible for recycling or properly disposing of these items

Pesticides and Garden Products

  • Fertilizers
  • Fungicides
  • Insecticides
  • Poisons (ant,rat, bug, etc.)
  • Weed killers (herbicides)

Paints, Solvents, Flammable Liquids, Glue

  • Glue
  • Latex, acrylic, and oil paints
  • Lighter fluid
  • Paint strippers
  • Primers
  • Rust removers
  • Solvents (e.g. isopropyl and rubbing alcohol)
  • Spray paints
  • Stains
  • Thinners
  • Turpentine
  • Wood preservatives

Note: Empty metal paint cans (lids separated) can go in the Blue Bin (recycling).

Other

  • Aerosol cans that are NOT empty (e.g. lubricant, hair spray)*
  • Batteries (all types weighing less than 5 kg each – household, vehicle, items with non-removable batteries, etc.)
  • Cooking oil – large quantities (small quantities can go in the Green Bin organics)
  • Fire extinguisher (with pin to lock handle)
  • Gas tanks/cylinders (e.g. propane/BBQ, helium, oxygen, etc.)
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Moth balls
  • Swimming pool chemicals

*Empty spray/aerosol cans (with lids on) can go in the Blue Bin (recycling).

HHW Disposal Instructions

  • Whenever possible, please return products in their original containers, properly sealed
  • Liquid materials must be in a sealed, non-leaking container (e.g. paints must have a lid)
  • Containers must be clearly labeled with their contents
  • Don’t mix different products (e.g. paints) together in one container
  • Don’t leave products in your car trunk for long periods of time, particularly during hot weather

Additional Item-Specific Disposal Instructions

Item Instructions
Batteries For safe storage prior to drop-off or pickup:

  • place used batteries in their original packaging, or
  • place in a clear plastic bag (wrap multiple batteries together) or
  • cover the positive (+) terminal with clear packing tape, duct tape or electrical tape
Fluorescent tubes
  • Must be placed in the original box and/or bundled/taped together in groups of 8
  • Tubes 8 feet and longer are not picked up by Toxic Taxi and must be brought to a Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day
Gasoline
  • Must be brought to a Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day in any container that can be left behind
Light bulbs
  • Package to prevent breakage
Needles, syringes
  • Must be placed in an approved sharps container (puncture proof) or in another type of plastic container (e.g. plastic jug, water bottle) and sealed
  • Clearly label the container as “needles” or “syringes”
  • Containers cannot be returned to the resident

Free pick-up by the City (Toxic Taxi)

  • Service is only available to the City’s residential waste customers . For pickup from City-serviced multi-residential buildings, property managers or building staff must schedule an appointment.
  • Minimum of 10 litres/kilograms and maximum of 50 litres/kilograms per pickup. This amount is based on the volume indicated on the containers, not on the estimated fullness of the containers.
  • Complete an online service request or contact 311 to make an appointment

 Instructions for Toxic Taxi pickup

  • Liquid materials must be in a sealed, non-leaking container (paint cans must have a lid)
  • Different material types need to be kept separate (e.g. batteries, paints and light bulbs should not be mixed in one container)
  • Items must be placed in an open-topped container (e.g. carboard box) not in a bag
  • Fluorescent tubes (shorter than 8′) must be set out in the original box or bundled/taped together in groups of 8.
  • Items in container must be placed on private property, in front of residence on the street address side by 7 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day

Additional Options for Proper Disposal of HHW

Additional Item-Specific Drop-Off Options