Household Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste in the Home/Yard

What is Hazardous Waste?

Many household products used in your yard and home contain chemicals that are dangerous to people, pets, fish and wildlife. The best way to find out if a product contains harmful chemicals is to read the label.

Product labels with words such as “POISON”, “DANGER”, “WARNING”, or “CAUTION” indicate hazardous materials. Other clues to whether the product may be harmful or not are when you find these phrases written on the label:

 

"HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED"

"USE ONLY IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA"

"DO NOT USE NEAR HEAT OR FLAME"

"CAUSES SEVERE BURNS ON CONTACT"

"CAN BURN EYES, SKIN OR THROAT", etc.

You should never dispose of your household toxic trash down the sink, on the ground, down a storm drain, or in your garbage. What can you do? Check out Safer Alternatives.  

Where to Take Hazardous Waste   

Salem/Keizer Transfer Station;

3250 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem OR 97317  Google Map

Residents: (503) 588-5169  Businesses:(503) 742-7105;

Hours: Thursdays, and 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is accepted free of charge from residents of Polk County. Please bring your household hazardous materials in the original retail containers with good fitting lids. Please place the materials into a box to keep it from tipping over and spilling during transit.

Residents with containers of hazardous waste materials larger than 5 gallons or multiple containers of any one substances must receive written approval from Polk County prior to delivery at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (HHW). Please download and complete the Large Quantity Acceptance Form. If you have questions, contact Christina Tisdell at (503) 623-9237 or tisdell.christina@co.polk.or.us

Paint Disposal Sites

Paint Collection locations go to www.paintcare.org

Business Hazardous Waste is also accepted at the HHW. Hazardous Waste from small businesses or Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators can use the facility; however they will be charge by the pound of hazardous waste ($100.00 minimum).

In order to participate, businesses must pre-registers with the County’s hazardous waste contractor (Clean Harbors) by completing the Large Quantity Acceptance Form and mail or email the completed application to Clean Harbors Environmental Services within 2 weeks of the schedule delivery date. Fees are charge based on the type and amount of waste accepted in accordance with the Waste Pricing. Business using the facility must make an appointment by calling the hotline at (503) 742-7105.  

Preparing Hazardous Materials

Minimize risks to you, your family, and HHW staff from accidental spills or dangerous mixing of materials by properly preparing your materials for transport.  Read More...