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Household_Hazardous_Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE REDUCTION
Fluorescent bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs can be placed in the trash only in small quantities (up to five bulbs). If unbroken, it is recommended they are contained in a bag if possible. Large quantities of fluorescent bulbs must be taken to the Fairfax County Household Hazardous Waste Site.
Batteries
Currently in Fairfax County, Alkaline and Carbon Zinc batteries are allowed to be disposed of in the trash. Button batteries as well as rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion, and Nickel-Cadmium batteries are accepted from town citizens in small quantities at the Town Shop located at 1479 Sterling Road, Herndon Virginia between the hours of 7am to 4pm, and can also be dropped off at the Herndon Municipal Center, 1st Floor, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Batteries can also be taken to the Fairfax County Household Hazardous Waste Site.
Lead acid batteries such as ones used in cars can usually be taken to most stores that sell them.
Please see the following link for more information:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/trash/disphhw.htm
WHAT IS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE?
Residential hazardous materials are found in almost every home. They are usually common products such as household cleaners, yard care products, paints and paint thinners, petroleum products, rodent poisons, etc. Leftover or unwanted hazardous materials that are no longer used become household hazardous waste (HHW) and can pose a threat to the environment or to your health if disposed of improperly. If materials or products contain one or more of the following characteristics, it is considered a hazardous material:
IS IT TOXIC? Poisonous materials like pesticides are toxic and can harmful to you if improperly handled.
IS IT CORROSIVE? Battery acid and bleach can burn the skin.
IS IT IGNITABLE? Petroleum products and paint thinners can easily catch fire from a small spark.
IS IT REACTIVE? Dangerous chemical combinations, such as bleach and ammonia can explode or emit poisonous gases. Do not combine containers of different products.
WHY IS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE REDUCTION IMPORTANT?
Sanitation workers can be injured from toxins, corrosive and/or reactive material, or ignitable materials improperly mixed in with regular solid waste. If HHW is dumped or poured onto the ground or into storm drains, waterways and water supplies can become polluted and threaten the wildlife within those ecosystems. Groundwater can also be contaminated by improper disposal of HHW. The safest way for Town of Herndon residents to dispose of HHW is to carefully pack them up and transport them to Fairfax County's HHW Site at I-66Transfer Station Complex 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Operation hours are:
Thursday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
HOW CAN POLLUTION PREVENTION HELP YOU?
. Changing what you use. Safer alternatives may
exist. Consider water based paint in lieu of oil based paint.
Use compost instead of chemical fertilizers.
· Changing what you do. Consider using a plunger instead of
chemical drain cleaners. Sandpaper could substitute for
chemical paint strippers. Buy only in quantities you currently
need. Do not stockpile. Do not overuse products. Overuse of
fertilizers is harmful to the environment.
· Improve housekeeping. Store hazardous products according
to labels and in their original containers unless they are
leaking. Clean up spills immediately.
· Education. Share your knowledge and ideas to reduce HHW.
Learn more about alternatives to hazardous products.
For more information please contact the Department of Public Works at publicworks@herndon-va.gov or (703) 435-6853.
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