• The next HHW event is set for Saturday, July 18, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in Leesburg. Details are below.

The Office of Solid Waste Management conducts several Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events throughout the year to collect used and unwanted household hazardous materials such as gasoline and household chemicals. For these events, a special contractor comes to the county to accept and package the waste for shipment to an appropriate processing facility.

• What NOT to Bring to an HHW Event
• Checklist of common HHW
• Photos from HHW collection events

The county also conducts two hazardous waste disposal collection events each year for local businesses under the Business Hazardous Waste Program. Details...

What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?

• Button batteries (used in watches, hearing aids, calculators, etc.) For more information about battery recycling and collection locations, go to the Rechargeable Battery Corporation's webpage here.
• Fertilizers with herbicides
• Fluorescent bulbs, CFLs
• Gasoline and other unwanted fuels
• Herbicides
• Household and automotive cleaning products
• Insecticides
• Oil-based paint (Latex paint is not a Household Hazardous Waste. Learn more...)
• Paint thinners & solvents
• Pesticides
• Photographic chemicals
• Rechargeable batteries
• Swimming pool chemicals

What Not to Bring to an HHW Event

• Motor Oil
• Antifreeze
• Car Batteries
• Lead Acid Batteries
• Propane Tanks

Note: All of the above items can be recycled at the Loudoun County Landfill during normal operating hours, Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Other Waste Not Accepted at HHW Events

• Ammunition: Call the Fire & Rescue dispatcher at 703-777-0637 or the Fire Marshal's office at 703-737-8600.
• Asbestos: should only be removed by a trained contractor.
• Automotive: Motor oil, antifreeze and lead-acid automobile batteries are not accepted at HHW events, but can be taken to the Loudoun County Landfill for recycling year-round.
• Carbon monoxide detectors: They can be disposed of with your regular household trash.
• Commercial, industrial, or medical waste (including biologically active waste): Contact a local waste management service company about these wastes (listed in the yellow pages)
• Compressed gas cylinders larger than five pounds (camp stove size)
• Dioxins, Kepones
• Explosives, including fireworks: Call the Loudoun County Fire Marshal, 703-737-8600, for pickup
• Household trash or special pick-up items.
• Propane and helium cylinders: Propane cylinders can be returned to the point of purchase or delivered to the landfill empty for disposal. Helium tanks may also be delivered to the landfill for disposal.
• Radioactive materials
• Shock-sensitive materials
• Smoke detectors: They can be disposed of with your regular household trash.
• Unknown materials: Items without any type of identification
• Unused medications: More information about how to properly dispose of unused medications is available online.

2009 Schedule of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Note: Events are held on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Click on the links for directions.