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Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is leftover household products that are flammable, corrosive, reactive or poisonous. HHW includes a wide variety of items that require special handling and storage techniques to prevent health and safety hazards and/or environmental pollution. Common items include pesticides, varnishes, paints, antifreeze, electronics, batteries, and leftover household products.

Incorrect disposal of HHW not only contaminates curbside recycling, but is also harmful to the environment and may cause explosions or fires in collection vehicles, at recycling facilities, during transport, or at landfills. While these materials are banned from disposal in curbside recycling and garbage totes, the Bings Creek transfer building has recently seen an increase in fires from HHW that has been improperly disposed of at the curb.

The CVRD offers free HHW collection options for many everyday items (see below) at its Recycling Centres for safe handling and recycling.

For safety reasons, all liquid products must be in the original container and have their original label intact to be accepted. Products must not be leaking or improperly sealed

Category	Accepted materials
Batteries	Lithium-ion batteries, single-use batteries, rechargeable batteries, vehicle batteries.
Electronics, small appliances and power tools	All plug-in or battery-operated products.
HHW containers	Oil, antifreeze, household paint cans, spray paint cans, disposable & refillable propane tanks/canisters.
Light bulbs	LED, halogen, incandescent, fluorescent and string lights.
Liquid HHW	Liquid paint thinners, gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, engine oil, gear oil, camp fuels, and liquid adhesives with the flame symbol.
Paints & stains	All oil and water-based paints, aerosol paints and containers are accepted.
Pesticides	Consumer pesticides labeled “domestic”, with the poison (skull and crossbones) symbol and Pest Control Product (PCP) number on the label.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms	All units including combination smoke/CO alarms and expired units are accepted.
Thermostats	Mercury and furnace thermostats.

For specific disposal instructions and locations, please search for the item in the Cowichan Recyclopedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whenever possible, use alternatives. For example, vinegar and baking soda are excellent natural alternatives to chemical cleaners. If you must purchase hazardous products, limit the amount you buy, properly store what you don’t use, and dispose of excess materials appropriately at a CVRD Recycling Centre or another facility listed in the Cowichan Recyclopedia.

HHW is dangerous to people, pets, and the environment. If hazardous wastes are put in the garbage or poured into the sewer or storm drain, it can result in environmental and public health hazards.

Do not flush or pour HHW liquids down the drain, dispose of them in the environment, or place them in your garbage can. As sewage systems and private septic systems do not filter or remove these products from wastewater, HHW can enter our waterways. If disposed of incorrectly, toxic materials can harm aquatic life, destroy sensitive ecosystems, and pollute recreational sites or water supplies. Explosions or fires caused by HHW may also harm sanitary workers and can damage infrastructure or equipment.

Land Acknowledgement

The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.

Household Hazardous Waste

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I transport my HHW items?

How can I reduce my use of hazardous materials?

Why can't I put hazardous materials in the garbage or down the drain?