Printer-friendlyHousehold Hazardous Waste (HHW)
What is HHW?
Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are materials found in residential wastes that would be regulated as hazardous wastes if they were generated by industry. Industries dispose of chemical wastes that, because of the dangers they pose, are regulated as hazardous wastes and are subject to stringent management standards.
Household products may contain some of these chemicals, but all household wastes, are exempt from State and federal hazardous waste regulations.
Homes, sheds, basements and garages contain potentially hazardous chemicals that should be handled and discarded with special care. Examples of HHW include oil-based paints, pesticides, automotive fluids, and home hobby chemicals.
Why is HHW important?
When handled improperly, these products can be harmful to the environment and public health. You can find information about the composition of household chemicals, at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Glossary of Hazardous Products website.
Many households discard these wastes in the trash or store them for a long time, unless their local government sponsors a special HHW collection program. See the summary of communities which carry out such collections.
Types of HHW collection programs
A Permanent HHW collection and storage facility can receive HHW from residents on a regular and more frequent basis. These 
facilities must receive a permit from the NYSDEC, and may be operated by a municipality or contractor.
Funding availability for Municipal HHW collection programs
For municipally-run HHW collection programs to effectively reduce HHW, they must be readily accessible to residents, and must be accompanied by both promotion of the collection program and education about source reduction. To help achieve these goals, New York State's Environmental Protection Fund provides financial assistance to local governments.
State funding is available from the Environmental Protection Fund for up to 50 percent of the costs of municipal HHW collection programs. For more information about State funding, please review the HHW State Assistance Program website or contact DEC at 518-402-8705 or email dshmwrr@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Household Hazardous Waste Report
This report summarizes the information gathered from the household hazardous waste collection programs conducted in New York State from 1988 through 1999.
More about Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):
- Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Facilities - Municipalities listed have established a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection and storage facility which can receive HHW from residents on a regular and frequent basis.
- Reduce Your Household Hazardous Waste Use - Ideas on how you can reduce your hazardous waste by recycling and using alternatives.
- Summary of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs - The municipalities listed on this page conduct HHW collections either through collection days or at a permanent HHW facility.
- HHW State Assistance Program FAQs - Frequently asked questions on the HHW State Assistance Program.
- HHW State Assistance Program - In 1993, the New York State Legislature enacted the Environmental Protection Act. This act authorizes State reimbursement funding of up to 50 percent of the costs of eligible HHW collection programs.
