Household Hazardous Waste 2021 season
The City is planning to host a number of Household Hazardous Waste Depots this season. However, no events can be held while Ottawa is in a red (control) or grey (lockdown) zone under Ontario’s colour-coded COVID-19 response framework. Details about the 2021 dates and locations will be posted as soon as they are confirmed and when it is safe for residents and staff to hold the events. Please continue to visit the website regularly.
Did you know that you can safely dispose of many kinds of household hazardous waste year round? Items including fluorescent bulbs, batteries, paint and oil, can be returned to participating local retailers during their regular business hours. For a list of retailers who accept returns of household hazardous waste, enter the item in the Waste Explorer.
Batteries
There are many locations for disposal of batteries in Ottawa. Enter your postal code to find a location near you to bring back your batteries.
Paint and stains and driveway sealers
No need to wait until the next household hazardous waste depot. Select a local retail near you that takes back these items.
Empty paint and aerosol cans
Can be disposed of in your blue bin.
Dried paint
Can go in the garbage.
What is household hazardous waste?
If it’s corrosive, flammable or poisonous it’s hazardous waste. These types of products contaminate water and landfills and should never be poured down the drain or put out with your regular garbage.
Household hazardous waste materials include:
- Aerosol containers
- Propane cylinders
- Disinfectants
- Fluorescent bulbs/tubes
- Fire extinguishers
- Fertilizers and pesticides
- Mercury switches/thermometers
- Motor oil
- Needles and syringes
- Oil filters
- Pharmaceuticals
- Paints and coatings
- Oven and window cleaners
- Pool chemicals
- Gasoline
Tips to reduce household hazardous waste
Use a non-hazardous alternative:
- Environmentally friendly and safer alternatives are available for household cleaning, home improvement and garden care
Be a wise consumer:
- If you must purchase a hazardous product, buy only the amount you can use up. Avoid larger quantity, bulk purchases if you don’t need a lot.
Read labels:
- Ensure that the product you purchase does what you want it to do before you purchase it. Once purchased, follow the instructions on the label for safe use, ventilation and storage.
Give leftover hazardous products to someone who can use them:
- Relatives, friends, neighbours, community groups and charitable organizations may be able to use some of what you no longer need.
Avoid aerosols whenever possible:
- Much of the aerosol product ends up in the air. Purchase safer alternatives.
Thank you for your efforts!
In 2020, you helped divert more than 698 tonnes of hazardous waste from the landfill, including the following items:
- 58,000 CFL light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- 12 tonnes of household batteries
- 20 tonnes of aerosols
- 356 tonnes of paint
- 600 kg of sharps and needles
- 1.5 tonnes of pharmaceuticals
- 2,557 large propane cylinders
- 19 tonnes of pesticides
Household hazardous waste depots make a difference!
