What is household hazardous waste and what should we do with it?
Household hazardous waste includes automotive fluids and batteries; rechargeable, lithium and button batteries; leftover paint and solvents; cooking oil; chemicals for pools, gardening and pest control; propane cylinders; fluorescent or compact fluorescent light bulbs and anything labeled as dangerous or toxic.
These things should not go in your curbside recycling, and most shouldn’t go in your trash, either.
Most Lowe’s and Home Depot stores will take your spent compact fluorescent light bulbs, which is easy if that is your only hazardous waste.
Otherwise, you can drop any household hazardous waste off at 2440 W. Sweetwater Drive, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fridays only; or at Los Reales Landfill, 5300 E. Los Reales Road, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
Drop-off is free if you are a Tucson resident. Those living outside the Tucson city limits will be charged a $10 fee. More information is available at tucne.ws/10jr
These sites do not accept commercial hazardous waste or medical waste. For more information on household medical waste, go to tucne.ws/10nz
