Home Toxics

Keep Your Home and Our Water Clean by Carefully Using and Disposing of Home Toxics

Home toxics (also known as household hazardous waste) and unused prescription medications require special care when you use and dispose of them. Some substances have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers or contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. They can also present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Using a take-back program for excess home toxics and prescription medications prevents them from getting into our water, soil, and air where they can threaten public health.

Prevent Home Toxics from Getting into the Environment and Harming People

Home toxics are household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic to people and animals. They require special care when you use and dispose of them to prevent their hazardous ingredients from getting into our water, soil, and air where they can threaten public health.

Don’t dump it if you wouldn’t drink it.
– Do not pour toxics down household drains. Wastewater treatment plant and on-site septic systems are not designed to filter them out.
– Do not pour anything down a storm drain or into a ditch. These lead to our waterways—no filters, no treatment.
– Do not place home toxics in the trash.

How to Check for Home Toxics

When preparing to buy a new product for your home, read the label first to see if it poses a threat. It may be hazardous if words such as: warning, caution, flammable, poison, danger, corrosive, combustible, toxic, or hazardous are on the label. Check labels carefully, including directions for use and words of caution.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Classroom – Drug Disposal Minute

EGLE Classroom – Hazardous Waste 101

Typical Home Toxics

Home & Hobby
asphalt or roofing tar
drain cleaners
mildew removers
oil paints
paint thinners and solvents
photographic chemicals
varnishes and refinishers

Automotive
antifreeze
brake fluid
engine cleaners
gasoline
motor oil
transmission fluid

Yard & Garden
fertilizers
fungicides
herbicides (weed killer)
insecticides
pesticides

Tips for Safe Use

Remember, less is more! Plan projects in advance and purchase only the products you need to get the job done.

“Saving money” by purchasing the jumbo-sized container doesn’t factor in the long-term cost of proper home toxics storage and disposal.

Follow the manufacturers’ directions for use and do not over-apply home toxics of any kind. Reduce the likelihood of harm to yourself and environmental contamination by carefully following the guidelines and minimizing the frequency and amount of any applications.

Make a clean sweep. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean up spills. Using water can wash contaminants into nearby storm drains that head directly to local waterways—no filters, no treatment. Or if left on the ground contaminants can seep into groundwater.

Maintain your car. Repair any automotive fluid leaks right away. Use a drip pan to catch leaks if repairs are delayed. Collect and dispose of fluids from routine maintenance properly (motor oil, antifreeze, brake and transmission fluid). Contact Wayne County or a local service center if you need assistance.

Store home toxics properly. Select cool, dry storage areas. Always keep products in the original container. Store solvents outside your home if possible, in a secure storage area. Protect products from freezing when necessary. Check containers periodically for leaks. Make certain animals and children cannot access home toxics.

Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste in Wayne County

Wayne County Department of Public Services has a recycling voucher program for Wayne County residents. This pilot program allows residents to dispose of and recycle their household hazardous waste five days a week at a drop off site in Livonia. Please call 734-326-5708 or email jdemerjian@waynecounty.com to request your free voucher. Supplies are limited, and vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the program HERE.

Download the “Wayne County Recycles” app from Google Play or the App store. It provides options for safe disposal of a wide variety of household hazardous waste and electronic waste items. Or visit the ONLINE VERSION of the Resource Recovery Guide.

Learn more about Wayne County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.