Hazardous Materials

paint-cansSafe and proper disposal of hazardous material is very important to the environment and to our health. Some materials in our households may not automatically come to mind as being a hazardous substance.

The following list will help you identify and properly dispose of hazardous material:

 Product
 What to do for Disposal
 Key Points
Abrasive Cleaner
 Solidified cleaners can be disposed of in landfill. Liquid cleaners may be poured down indoor drains using plenty of water. Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
 Do not pour into outdoor drains, septic tanks, gutters or storm drains. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Aerosol Spray
 Read label for proper disposal. If generated from residential house, may be disposed of in landfill. Empty steel can is recyclable.
 Use all product in container before disposal if possible.
Air Freshener
 Solidified air fresheners from household may be disposed of in landfill. Empty container may be recyclable.
 Find alternatives, i.e. open windows, use exhaust fans, use natural products such as potpourri or fragrant oils.
Antifreeze
 Can be collected by Sanitation Division. Solidified antifreeze may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquid in garbage.
Battery - Automotive (Lead Acid)
 Battery retailers are required by law to accept old lead acid batteries for recycling.
Cannot be disposed of in landfill.
Battery - Household (Alkaline & Non-Alkaline)
 May be disposed of in landfill (seal inside a plastic bag).
Use rechargeable batteries when possible.
Bleach
 May be poured down indoor drains using plenty of water. Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down outdoor drains, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Brake Fluid
 Recyclable; can be collected by Sanitation Division. Solidified brake fluid may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Computer Equipment
 Recyclable; can be collected by Sanitation Division. Call to 910 938-5338 to schedule pickup.
May not be disposed of in landfill.
Disinfectant
 May be poured down indoor drains using plenty of water. Solidified product may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not place liquids in garbage.
Drain Opener
 May be poured down indoor drains using plenty of water. Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not place liquids in garbage.
Explosives
 Contact local police station for disposal.
May not be disposed of in landfill.
Fertilizer/Lawn Care
 Solid or solidified fertilizer may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Fingernail Polish & Remover
 If generated by household use, solidified polish may be disposed of in landfill (remove cap and allow to air dry completely). Polish remover: Allow liquid to evaporate in well-ventilated area. Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Flea Powder/Spray
 Powder may be disposed of in landfill (product must be wrapped in layers of newspaper). Solidified sprays may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt); bag or wrap solidified material. Empty and rinsed containers may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Fluorescent Lamps & Ballasts
 If generated by household, may be disposed of in landfill (wrap in newspaper and place in garbage container). Local Home Depot will also accept from households.
Use halogen lamps instead.
Freon
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) including Freon must be recovered and recycled. Contact the Onslow County Landfill at 910 989-2107 for specific recycling details.
It is illegal to vent CFCs to the atmosphere.
Gas Cylinders
 Empty cylinder is recyclable at scrap metal business. Valve must be removed first. Can also be taken to retailer who deals in cylinders. (Look for Gas - natural & propane in yellow pages.)
Purchase/use refillable cylinders if possible. May not be disposed of in landfill.
Gasoline
 Recyclable; can be collected by Sanitation Division. Solidified substance may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as, cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Insecticide (Indoor & Outdoor Use)
 Solidified product may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt; wrap in layers of newspaper and seal). Empty and rinsed outdoor insecticide container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Kerosene
 Contact local auto or marina repair/mechanic shops as they may accept.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Medicine & Medicine Waste
 Solidified product may be disposed of in landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt; seal inside a plastic bag).
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Mercury Containing Devices
 If generated by household use, can be disposed of in a permitted landfill. Wrap device in newspaper and seal in a plastic bag.
In case of a spill, do not vacuum. Push together using piece of paper, then funnel into plastic container.
Metal Polish
 If generated from household use, solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty container may be recyclable.
Try to use all of the product if possible. Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Mold & Mildew Removers
 If generated by household use: liquid product can be poured slowly down an indoor drain with plenty of water; solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty and rinsed may be recyclable.
Purchase/use refillable cylinders if possible. May not be disposed of in landfill.
Mothballs
 If generated by household use, may be disposed of in a landfill. Wrap in a plastic bag.
Fumes are toxic and flammable. Store away from heat source.
Motor Oil
 Recyclable; may be collected by the Sanitation Division. Place in a clean, leak-proof container and call the Sanitation Division for collection. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage. Cannot be disposed of in landfill.
Oil Filter
 Recyclable; call Sanitation Division for collection information.
Do not empty into indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage. Cannot be disposed of in landfill.
Oven Cleaner
 Solidified product or product in aerosol cans may be disposed of in a landfill. To solidify, mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt. Place solidified product in a bag or wrap in newspaper. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Paint (Art)
 Solidified paint generated from household or private studio use can be disposed of in a landfill. Leave the cap off the container or slit the tube to dry paint. If the product cannot be solidified in this manner, mix paint with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt. Allow to harden, then wrap or bag.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Paint (Latex)
 Solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material (cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt) to absorb all liquids and allow to harden. Solidified product must be contained for disposal. Call Sanitation Division for collection. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Paint (Solvent-based)
 Solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material (cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt) to absorb all liquids and allow to harden. Solidified product must be contained for disposal. Call Sanitation Division for collection. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Paint Stripper
 Solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material (cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt) to absorb all liquids and allow to harden. Solidified product must be contained for disposal. Call Sanitation Division for collection. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Paint Thinner
 Solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt) to absorb all liquids and allow to harden. Solidified product must be contained for disposal. Call Sanitation Division for collection. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Photographic Chemicals
 Contact the manufacturer for disposal instructions. The Eastman Kodak publication J-52 “Disposal of Small Volumes of Photographic Processing Solutions” (Eastman Kodak, 343 Street Rochester, New York 14650) may be helpful. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Pool Chemicals
 If generated by household use, solidified product can be disposed of  in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquid; do not use cat litter - use dirt, sand, or floor dry material); bag solidified product. Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Smoke Detectors
 If generated by household use, can be disposed of in a landfill. If battery operated, dispose of battery properly.
Cannot be recycled. If still operational, consider donating to someone in need.
Solvents (Auto)
 If generated by household use, solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt, and allow the mixture to harden; place in a bag or wrap in newspaper). Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
 If generated from household, may be poured slowly down an indoor drain with plenty of water; solidified product may be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids). Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Should not be mixed with chlorine bleach, ammonia, or with other cleaners. Do not pour down outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Transmission Fluid
 If generated by household use, solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt; place in bag or wrap in newspaper). Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Tub & Tile Cleaner
 If generated from household, may be poured slowly down an indoor drain with plenty of water; solidified product may be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material to absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt). Empty and rinsed container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.
Used Tires
 Can be collected for recycling. Call Sanitation Division for collection.
Cannot be disposed of in landfill.
Wood Polish/Wax
 If generated by household use, solidified product can be disposed of in a landfill (mix with enough absorbent material absorb all liquids, such as cat-box filler, sawdust, sand or dirt or open the container in a well-ventilated area, and allow the contents to solidify). Empty container may be recyclable.
Do not pour down indoor or outdoor drains, septic tanks, storm drains, or on the ground. Do not place liquids in garbage.

Download a printable copy of the list for your household (PDF).

If you have further questions about how to dispose of any household material, please call Jacksonville Sanitation at 910 938-5338.