Important Facts on Household Hazardous Waste
The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility is
located at the South Area Service Center on the corner
of Greenfield and Queen Creek Road. The address for the Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Facility is 2224 E. Queen Creek Road.
The entrance is a ½ block West of Greenfield off of Queen Creek.
Please refer all questions about Gilbert’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program to the Environmental Services section at (480) 503-6400.
Did You Know?
Many jobs around the home may require the use of products containing hazardous components. Such products may include paints, cleaners, stains and varnishes, batteries, motor oil, pool chemicals, and pesticides. The used or leftover contents of such consumer products are known as "household hazardous waste." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans generate 1.8 million tons of household hazardous waste per year.
When improperly disposed of, household hazardous waste can create a potential risk to people and the environment. Relatively small quantities of household products can contaminate water and soil when poured down the sink, into sewer drains, onto the ground, or landfilled.
What You Can Do To Help Reduce Your Household Hazardous Waste
Substitute your Chemical Products with Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products
Make your own environmentally-friendly cleaning products at home using common household items you already have in your kitchen or pantry.
| Instead of using: | Use: |
|---|---|
| All purpose cleaner | Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 T. baking soda |
| Toilet cleaner | Scrub with baking soda or powdered bleach |
| Glass cleaner | Mix 2T. Vinegar and 1 qt. warm water |
| Drain cleaner | Pour 1 cup baking soda down drain, follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar, slush with hot water |
| Scouring powders | Mix 4T. Baking soda with 1 qt. warm water |
| Furniture polish | Mix 1 part lemon juice with 1 part olive oil |
| Floor cleaner/wax | Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons water; polish with club soda |
| Oil-bases paint | Substitute latex or water-based paint |
| Disinfectant | Mix 1/2 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water |
Assess Your Needs - Before you buy a product make sure that it will do what you want. Buy only what you need and use up what you purchase.
Read Product Labels - Be aware of a product’s hazardous waste potential by identifying these signal words on the label: POISON, DANGER, TOXIC, WARNING, CAUTION, FLAMMABLE, and CORROSIVE.
Use and Store Materials Safely - Read all label directions carefully. Wear the necessary safety clothing, such as long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection. Use all hazardous substances with adequate ventilation. Keep products in their original containers and NEVER remove the labels.
Share Leftover Materials - Give away unused portions in their original labeled containers to others that can use them. NEVER share materials that have been tampered with in any way.
Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly - The Town of Gilbert has established a full time Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at the Public Works South Area Service Center at 4760 S. Greenfield Road, (northwest corner of Greenfield and Queen Creek Road), for all Gilbert residents. The Collection Facility provides residents an opportunity to properly dispose of their old and unused household hazardous products. Approximately 90% of all wastes brought to the events are recycled.
When dropping off wastes at the Town of Gilbert Household Hazardous Waste Facility, please. . .
· Bring only acceptable materials. (see list below)
· Do not mix different materials together.
· Be certain that all product containers are original and labels are legible.
· Tightly seal materials in their containers and transport them to the event in the trunk or bed of your vehicle.
· Bring picture I.D. and most recent refuse bill (single-family home) or rent receipt (multi-family unit).
| Acceptable Materials | Unacceptable Materials |
|---|---|
| Adhesives | Ammunition/Fireworks |
| Automobile Tires (rimless, limit 5) | Appliances |
| Batteries/Light Bulbs | Commercial (Business) Waste |
| Computers / Electronic Equipment | Explosive Material |
| Household Cleaners | Home-Generated Medical Waste |
| Pesticides | Radioactive Waste |
| Pool Chemicals | Prescription Drugs |
| Propane Tanks | |
| Solvents/Thinners | |
| Automotive Fluids | |
| Paints/Stains/Varnishes |
NOTE: While businesses cannot drop anything off at the HHW we suggest possibly finding a company to work with by doing a web search of ‘Hazardous Waste Disposal Companies in Arizona.’