What is Household Hazardous Waste?

What is Household Hazardous Waste

Typical household hazardous wastes include products such as pesticides, herbicides, mothballs, petroleum-based paints, stains and solvents, spray paint, bleach, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, gasoline, kerosene, fuel additives, pool chemicals, mercury thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, muriatic acid, furniture and metal polish, disinfectants and cleaners.

What Can Be Brought to HHW Events

If you have a question about an item not listed below, or would like to see an item added to the list, please send us a request by email.

Limit per household:

  • 15 gallons of liquid HHW    
    • Container size may not exceed five gallons  
  • 40 pounds of solid HHW
    • Container size may not exceed five gallons  

Note: The HHW events are for Loudoun County residents only.  No commercial waste or waste from businesses will be accepted. Residential property management agencies are not authorized to bring materials generated from residents or grounds.

  1. Acceptable Items
  2. Unacceptable Items

• Ammonia

• Aerosol Cans (full or partially full)

• Animal Pet / Care Products (flea and tick products, etc)

  • Batteries (no automobile batteries*)
  • Alkaline
  • Button
  • Household
  • Lithium
  • Ni-Cad
  • Rechargeable

• Bleach

• Brake Fluid

• Chemicals

• Cleaners

• Diesel fuel*

• Fertilizers with Pesticides or Herbicides

• Fire Extinguishers

• Fluorescent Bulbs / Tubes

• Fuel Additives     

• Gasoline

• Gasoline-Oil Mixtures

• Herbicides

• Insecticides

• Kerosene*

• Mercury

• Mercury Thermometers

• Mercury Thermostats

• Mineral Spirits

• Nail Polish / Nail Polish Remover     

• Oil-Based Paint        

• Paint Thinner      

• Pesticides

• Photographic Chemicals

• Solvents

• Swimming Pool Chemicals

• Windshield Washer Fluid

*May be taken to the Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Center where engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, and lead batteries are accepted free of charge. Do not recycle empty containers for motor oil, antifreeze, or other automotive fluids. Discard empty containers in waste receptacles provided next to the collection tanks.

**Latex paint and other water-based paints are not hazardous waste. Residents may take paint to the Loudoun County Landfill for disposal ($7 minimum fee applies, and covers approximately 200 pounds).

***Call 703-771-5500 for items that are unidentifiable or if you are unsure whether it may be considered hazardous.