Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste or HHW, refers to a wide variety of commonly generated household chemicals that when combined with others can cause dangerous reactions and can produce extreme heat or toxic gases. That is why its important to properly dispose of these chemicals when you no longer need them. Any item that has labels with “warning,” “danger,” “corrosive,” “irritant,” “toxic,” “caution,” or “flammable” is typically considered HHW. Some examples include oil-based paint, paint thinner, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, lawn and garden products, cleaning products, lead-acid batteries, mercury, pool and hobby chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, smoke detectors, acids, aerosols, etc.
Throwing these items into the trash can pose a health and safety risk to trash collection personnel as well as cause harm to our natural environment. Instead, please dispose of these materials through Mid Michigan Waste Authority’s Household Hazardous Special Waste Program.
MMWA Household Hazardous Special Waste Program
Each year, Mid Michigan Waste Authority coordinates special drop-off days for household problem wastes, including paint, electronics, and hazardous waste. The program runs from April through September and is free to residents of Saginaw County, Bethany Township, Village of Breckenridge, and Wheeler Township. The events cannot accept waste from businesses, farms, schools, or non-profit organizations.
MMWA 2024 Household Hazardous Special Waste Events
To schedule your appointment online click one of the links below or call MMWA at (989) 781-9555. Residents must make an appointment.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 8:00 am – noon
Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 8:00 am – noon
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
MMWA 2024 Document Shredding Events
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Funding for Hazardous Waste Drop Off events comes from MMWA member communities and the Saginaw County Solid Waste Fund. Last year the processing cost per car was over $100. To help with the cost of the events, donations of any amount including $10, $20 or $50 are appreciated.
Acceptable Items
Paint Products: Turpentine, paint thinners, strippers and removers, oil-based and latex paints, stains, varnish, shellac, other solvent-based paint products, wallpaper cement, and spray paint.
Outdoor Products: Swimming pool chemicals, weed killers, septic tank degreasers, asphalt sealers, caulking compounds, joint compounds, root cements, and pesticides.
Automotive Products: Grease and rust solvents, fuel additives, carburetor cleaners, transmission and brake fluid, antifreeze, car (lead-acid), truck, motorcycle, and marine batteries, gas, oil, gas oil mixture, road flares (no marine flares).
Household Products: Drain openers, rug cleaners, wood and metal cleaners, adhesives and solvents, rechargeable batteries, lithium and lead acid batteries, spot removers, dry cleaning fluid, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and kerosene.
Household Other Products: Acids, caustics, solvents, flammables, oxidizers, reactives, lead, mercury (thermostats and thermometers), fluorescent bulbs and tubes, and aerosols.
Unacceptable Materials
Explosives and ammunition, infectious or medical waste, prescription drugs, tires, gas cylinders, radioactive waste, unidentified waste, alkaline batteries (trash), appliances and white goods, Freon and refrigerants, containers larger than five gallons.
