What is Household Hazardous Waste?

In our daily lives we use products which contain hazardous components. Such products include certain paints, cleaning agents, stains and varnishes, car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides. The leftover contents of such products are known as “household hazardous waste.” Such items are labeled with symbols such as corrosive, hazardous or toxic. When improperly disposed of, household hazardous waste can create a potential risk to our health, safety and the environment.

Hazardous waste must go through specialized treatment prior to recyling/recovery or must be disposed of in specially designed hazardous waste landfills. Items of household hazardous waste must not be placed with normal household refuse. Below is a list of the items that you should not place in your refuse bin for landfill:

  • Asbestos
  • Batteries
  • Paint/varnishes
  • Pesticides
  • Corrosives
  • Herbicides
  • Motor oils
  • Florescent tubes
  • Any hazardous cleaning agents such as bleach or white spirits
  • Medicines including veterinary medicines
  • Waste vegetable oils

 

For further information on household hazardous waste visit : ‘A Householders’ Guide to Hazardous waste Prevention’

The Recycling Centres at Scotch Corner and Convent Lands Carrickmacross will accept some of your household hazardous waste in the form of:
  • Car and household batteries
  • Engine and cooking oil
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Used Mobile Phones & Chargers

 

Waste Management (Movement of Hazardous Waste) Regulations 1998

If your company or business is producing hazardous waste you are responsible for making sure that it is disposed of in a proper environmental manner. Your company must comply with the Waste Management (Movement of Hazardous Waste) Regulations 1998.