Household Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet

Household Hazardous Waste ("HHW") is any material thrown away by a household that poses a risk to human health or the environment. The proper disposal of HHW can help to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff pollution. This occurs when rainwater washes pollutants, such as motor oil, fertilizers, animal waste, and litter, off of the land and into our waterways. HHW can become a part of this nonpoint source pollution if disposed of improperly. To discourage residents from disposing of HHW in their garbage and to prevent pollution, municipalities across the Delaware Estuary have set up HHW collection programs. This fact sheet contains examples of household hazardous waste materials and information on HHW disposal programs in the region.Funding for this fact sheet was provided by U.S. EPA, Region II