What is considered household hazardous waste? 

The EPA defines household hazardous waste as "leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients."    

Corrosive
Materials that can cause skin damage to people or any substance that can significantly corrode metal.  Such items: bleach, ammonia, various household cleaners. 

Toxic
Materials that are poisonous, as in causing illness or death.  Such items:  antifreeze and gasoline. 

Ignitable
Materials have potential to ignite during routine handling due to friction or heat sources, or contact with other chemicals.  Alcohol is a prime example.

Reactive Ingredients
Materials that tend to react spontaneously during routine handling.  Can react vigorously with air or water, unstable to shock or heat, can generate toxic gases, or explode.  Mixing bleach and ammonia is a common reactive combination which will expel a toxic gas.

How do I properly dispose of medical syringes? 

The growing number of patients self-injecting medications at home has led to more improper disposal of syringes in landfills.  Pinal County Public Works suggest the following as a proper method of disposal. 

Please place syringes in a plastic puncture proof container such as a laundry detergent bottle.  Tape the lid close with duct tape for added security.  Then please write 'Sharps', 'Not for Recycle' on the container and then place the sealed bottle in the trash.   

Bottom Line 

If ever you are unsure about certain items, it is best to determine them hazardous for precaution.  You can find locations that specifically take household hazardous waste.  Properly disposing such items prevents harmful effects to our environment, community, and love ones.

In Pinal County there is a location where household hazardous waste can be
properly disposed.  Heritage Environmental Services is located at 284 E. Storey Road, Coolidge Az 85128.

Heritage Environmental Services charges $1 lb for Hazardous and $0.50 lb for Non-Hazardous.  They only take check or money order as form of payment. 

Please call 520-723-4167 for more information, hours of operations, and any questions you may have. 

Heritage Environmental Services will take such general items but not limited to:  Aerosol products, ammonia, antifreeze, auto fluids, auto batteries, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), drain cleaners, fertilizer, fire extinguishers, fireworks, flares, fluorescent tubes, gasoline, herbicides, household cleaners, insecticides, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), kerosene, lawn chemicals, lighter fluid, mercury thermometers, motor oil, nail polish/remover, paint, pesticides, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, propane tanks, rechargeable batteries, rust remover, solvents, spot remover, turpentine, weed killer, wood stain, wood stripper, etc. 

We highly recommend you call with questions prior to bringing certain items.