Don’t Harbor Household Hazardous Waste in your Home

Prince William County Offers Year-Round HHW Disposal and Electronics Recycling for Residents

Is your home harboring a harmful product?  Or perhaps it is your garage or shed that is sheltering hazardous chemicals.

Oven cleaners, bug sprays, oil-based paints, fluorescent bulbs, fertilizers, pool chemicals, and pesticides are among the numerous products and chemicals that, when disposed of, are categorized as household hazardous waste.  These products, at the end of their useful life, require special disposal to avoid harm to humans, animals, and the environment. 

Household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic, are considered household hazardous waste (HHW).  Improper disposal of these products can pollute the environment and threaten human health.  Some HHW items can contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, or cause physical injury to sanitation workers, equipment, and disposal facilities.  If left around the house, they can also present hazards to children and pets.

Prince William County residents can dispose of their HHW items at no extra cost.  The Prince William County Landfill offers a special HHW disposal service on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.   County residents must stop at traffic control, verify residency with the attendant, and request a ticket before using this program.    Household hazardous waste products ready for disposal should be sealed in their original labeled containers and placed in the trunk or truck bed, if possible.  This is a drive-through service, and residents may bring up to 40 pounds of solid or 15 gallons of liquid per visit.

Prince William County residents can declutter and perform electronic detoxes free of charge.  The Electronic Recycling program is operated with the HHW program, and residents may bring up to three unwanted electronic items per visit.

According to a March 24, 2023, article published on the World Economic Forum website, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with annual growth of 3 to 5%.  And more than 80 percent of e-waste sits idle in homes or businesses or is not disposed of properly.  So, don't let old phones, laptops, iPads, other "iProducts", computers, monitors, televisions that have long been replaced with the latest and greatest technologies take up space or collect dust in corners, cubicles, drawers, under furniture, or on unoccupied desks.  Simply bring them to the Electronics Recycling Program at Prince William County Landfill for proper disposal. 

E-waste can be dangerous when improperly disposed of due to toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead, as well as corrosive chemicals.  These substances can cause severe damage when they are disposed of in the trash and end up in landfills.  Toxins can seep into nearby groundwater and cause serious harm to individuals and the environment.

Aside from e-waste and household hazardous waste, there are other categories of items that require special disposal.  Car batteries, oil, antifreeze, and household batteries can be brought to the Prince William County Landfill at 14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas, or to the Compost Facility at 13000 Hansen Farm Road, Manassas, during regular hours of operation.  Both locations have a special self-service area for recycling or safe disposal of these items. 

The Solid Waste Division provides a variety of services to make the safe and proper disposal of all unwanted household items easy and convenient for Prince William County residents.  In most cases, these services are free of charge.  Visit www.pwcva.gov/disposalguide for more information.