Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) refers to products commonly found in homes that contain chemicals or materials that can pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment if not properly handled or disposed of. These items typically require special disposal methods because they cannot be thrown away with regular household trash due to their potential hazards.

1. Environmental Contamination: Pollutes water, soil, and air, harming ecosystems.
2. Health Hazards: Can cause poisoning, respiratory issues, or long-term health problems.
3. Wildlife Harm: Animals may ingest hazardous materials, leading to illness or death.
4. Fire and Explosion Risks: Flammable HHW can cause fires or explosions.
5. Legal and Financial Consequences: Fines and costly cleanup efforts.

1. Check the Label: Look for words and symbols like hazardous, flammable, toxic, corrosive, or poisonous. Labels with danger, warning, or caution are also indicators.
2. Identify Common HHW Items: Including a variety of materials such as automotive fluids, paints and solvents, cleaning products, pesticides and herbicides, batteries, cylinder tanks, fluorescent bulbs, and more.
3. Packaging: HHW often comes in containers with specific handling instructions, such as keeping away from children, wearing gloves, or use in a well-ventilated area.

Examples of HHW symbols:

These products:

• Can eat away materials when contact occurs.
• Can ignite and cause a fire.
• Are toxic or poisonous, either immediately or over a long period of time.
• Can be explosive and/or reactive and release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water or other chemicals.

No. You must not dispose of empty containers that hold hazardous materials in your regular trash. Even if they seem empty, they can still contain harmful residues. Take them to a HHW drop-off site for proper disposal.

The City of Calgary HHW drop-off program is free. However, if there is mixed garbage in your load, charges will apply. Learn more about Eco Centre hours and locations.

No. You do not need an appointment. However, it’s important to check the operating hours of the drop-off location before you go.

Store your HHW in its original container with the label intact, in a cool, dry place away from children, pets, or heat sources. Never mix different types of hazardous waste. When preparing for the drop-off, ensure the container is secure and, if possible, retains the original label. If the label is unreadable, missing, or if the original container is unavailable, affix a new, clear label. For additional guidance, refer to the packaging and labelling instructions.

Always transport hazardous materials in a safe manner:

• Keep containers upright to avoid spills.
• Never mix different types of hazardous waste.
• Ensure containers are securely sealed and labeled.
• If possible, place them in the trunk of your car to avoid exposure to passengers.
• Wear gloves when handling materials.

All collected materials are recycled, or safety treated and disposed of at specialized treatment facilities in Canada and the United States. These facilities have been approved by Alberta Environment and Alberta Recycling Management Authority.

Items including used motor oil, used glycol (anti-freeze), propane tanks, lead-acid vehicle batteries, used oil containers, paint and paint containers are sold to private companies for recycling.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or need assistance with the HHW program, please contact the City of Calgary 311. We are happy to assist you and provide any additional information you may need.