The best way to deal with hazardous waste is not to create it in the first place—by reducing the use of hazardous products in your home. For more information, call the Household Hazards Line at (206) 296-4692, 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
If you have leftover hazardous products, offer them to others who can use them. Otherwise, take acceptable household hazardous waste to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
Many items we think of as waste—such as old computers, car batteries, and appliances—can be reused or reprocessed to recover valuable materials. See Special Items for how to handle:
- Syringes, tires and other items that are not accepted at Household Hazardous Waste facilities can be taken to Recycling & Disposal Stations with special preparation.
- Materials-such as computers, TVs, asbestos, and explosives-that are not accepted at Household Hazardous Waste facilities or Transfer Stations may be accepted for recycling or disposal by other organizations.
No containers over five gallons in size. Limits are 30 gallons for gasoline; 50 gallons for other liquids. For more information, call the Household Hazards Line at (206) 296-4692, 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Reduce Use of Hazardous Products
Here are ways to avoid or reduce use of hazardous products at home:
- Buy less hazardous products, and/or buy only the amount you will use. Give leftovers to someone who can use them
- Rather than buy new household hazardous products like bleach or car polish, get products that other King County residents have brought to the South Household Hazardous Waste Facility . Availability of free products varies, but may include: oil-based paint, household cleansers, wood care products, antifreeze and other automotive products. You will need to sign a release form before receiving any materials.
- Choose safe cleaning products for your home.
- Use natural pest, weed and disease control in your yard, and natural lawn care techniques to reduce your use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other hazardous chemicals.
- Buy paint in amounts that you need, and use up leftover paint. Dry out leftover latex paint and throw the can in the garbage with the lid off.
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is a regional partnership of local governments. The program’s mission is to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality throughout King County by reducing the threat posed by the production, use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.