Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Federal and State laws do not ban hazardous wastes generated in common household use from landfills or transfer stations. However, local laws and actual practices of solid waste providers sometimes prevent disposal by curbside trash collection or drop off at landfills or transfer stations. State laws do prohibit motor oil, lead-acid (car, truck or boat) batteries and liquid wastes like antifreeze and paint from being landfilled.

In addition to legal requirements and difficulties finding outlets in regular trash collection, HHW is dangerous to keep in your house, especially if there are children in the household. It can be dangerous for solid waste workers to handle, and there is always some chance that landfill liners even in modern landfills can tear or leak and eventually release these wastes into the environment.

 HHW Recycling Facilities in Mid-Missouri “Region H”

  • Audrain County - City of Mexico HHW Facility, 201 South Morris, Mexico, MO: Open to residents of Mexico and Audrain County, by appointment only, every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. This service is provided at NO cost to the residents of Mexico and Audrain County. To schedule a drop-off, call 573-581-2100, Ext. 315.
  • Boone County - City of Columbia HHW Facility, 1313 Lakeview, Columbia: Open to residents of Columbia and Boone County on the first and third Saturdays of the month, April to November, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact the City of Columbia Solid Waste Division at 573-874-6291 or email waste-mgmt@GoColumbiaMo.com

MMSWMD offers a district grant program to assist any city/county interested in establishing a permanent HHW collection facility. Call or write your Mayor, Council person or County Commissioner to urge them to work with MMSWMD to establish a permanent facility in your area to provide for safe disposal of household hazardous wastes.

In MMSWMD’s “A Guide to Recycling in Mid-Missouri“,  you will find listed organizations that handle some items considered household hazardous waste material.

MMSWMD’s One-Day County HHW Collection Events

MMSWMD also schedules several one-day HHW collections each year.  For FY2010, two collections are scheduled:

  • Saturday, October 16, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Details coming.

 MMSWMD is currently contracted with Pollution Control Industries (PCI) for HHW management services.

Rules:

  • Call ahead to register.  You have to be registered before the event.  We ask people to register for safety.  This way we know how many cars and what chemicals to expect.
  • The following is a list of accepted items as well as items that will not be accepted  — HHW Info
  • No Smoking at HHW collection sites.

Additional Resources: