Your guide to Household Hazardous Waste

Improper handling can harm you and your family
Kitsap County residents dispose of more than 205,000 pounds of household hazardous waste each year.  Many households, however, are reducing their use of hazardous products while saving money and protecting both human and environmental health.

What is household hazardous waste?
Hazardous materials can be found in almost every home. The average family generally has more than 60 hazardous products throughout the house, including household cleaners, automotive products, paints, solvents, and pesticides.

These products can be hazardous when used correctly, incorrectly, or in cases of accidental contact. Each year, one in 10 children under age six requires emergency medical treatment due to accidental exposure to household hazardous products.

Unused portions of a hazardous product, as well as left-over wastes from hazardous products like paint thinner and solvents, are called household hazardous waste.  When household hazardous waste is poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet, thrown in the trash, poured on the ground, or washed down a storm drain, it can pose a threat to human and environmental health and contaminate our drinking water, streams, lakes, or even Puget Sound. It is estimated that each year 14.7 million pounds of household hazardous waste ends up in Washington landfills.  When these chemicals are improperly disposed they can mix and create toxic by-products as well as endanger those who handle them.

How can you identify hazardous products?
Read the labels! Products wit the following signal words are considered hazardous:  DANGER  - FLAMMABLE  - WARNING  - CORROSIVE  - POISONOUS  - TOXIC  - CAUTION  - EXPLOSIVE  - REACTIVE

How can you avoid hazardous products in your home?
Toxic products have found their way to your shelves over a period of ears. Don't try to remove them in one day!  Instead, start with these strategies.
Reduce or eliminate pesticide use:

• Plant pest and disease resistant species
• Use non-chemical controls first
• Avoid preventative applications, weed-n-feed, and calendar applications

Examine your painting needs:

• Use latex or water-based paints
• Buy only what you need

Use cleaners wisely:

• Use less toxic alternatives whenever possible
• Use heavy-duty cleaners only for heavy-duty jobs
• Elbow grease reduces the amount of solvents needed

How can I properly dispose of household hazardous wastes?
When a less toxic substitute is not available, buy only what you need, and closely follow the label directions.  If you have left-over products like paint, check with friends and neighbors to see if they can use the remaining portions.

Kitsap County residents may take their unwanted hazardous household products to the Kitsap County Moderate Risk Waste (MRW) Collection Facility.  It is located in the Olympic View Industrial Park across Highway 3 from the Bremerton National Airport.

What products are accepted?
The following products are accepted at the MRW Facility: auto products (contaminated used motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, waxes, cleaners), pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), fertilizers, oil-based paints and stains, thinners, solvents, glues, adhesives, cleaning supplies, pool and hobby chemicals, household batteries, contaminated gasoline and kerosene.

What products are NOT accepted?
Please do not bring: leaking or empty containers, medical waste, explosives, radioactive wastes, business and/or commercial wastes. For information on properly disposing of these or other products not listed, call The Open Line at (360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940.

Latex paint disposal is easy!
Left-over latex paint is not a hazardous waste!  If you have less than an inch of paint, open the can and let the liquid evaporate.  For larger amounts, add Quickcrete or clay-based kitty litter in the paint and stir until the liquid is absorbed. When the paint is completely dry, leave the lid off and throw the can into your regular garbage.

What about unused items?
The MRW Swap Shop is an efficient way to handle products, which have never been opened or at least ¾ full.  Items at the Swap Shop include paint related products, automotive products, fertilizers, glues, and household cleaners. Residents can now take advantage of the MRW swap Shop during the Facility[s regular operating hours.  Please call The Open Line for more information.

How can businesses handle their hazardous waste?
For information on hazardous waste generated by businesses, call Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District, Environmental Health at (360) 692-3611.  For disposal fee information or to enroll in the Small Quantity Generator Program, contact Kitsap County Public Works Solid Waste Division at (360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940, or e-mail your request to solidwaste@co.kitsap.wa.us.