Waste Management Rochester New York

What Is the Household Hazardous Waste Program?

Most household paint and chemicals are safe when used and stored properly. When disposed of improperly, household wastes can become environmental hazards. Monroe County provides residents with a way to safely recycle or dispose of this household hazardous waste (HHW) free-of-charge. See below for product lists and quantity limits. For a link to an educational video about the HHW program, its mobile highway garage collections and the county's ecopark facility, click here.

Who Can Participate and How?

The free portion of this program is open ONLY to Monroe County households with non-industrial, home-use chemicals/materials. To ensure safety and better serve customers, items are accepted by appointment only. Use our online scheduler to make an appointment. After an appointment is made, you will be sent directions to the facility and instructions for the safe packaging and transportation of your items.

Under a separate fee-based program, small businesses (including home-based businesses), not-for-profits, churches, institutions and out-of-county residents may be able to bring materials in for proper handling. Please click here for more information on this program. Monroe County households that have somehow acquired industrial-use products may also click the link for details on how to properly manage the materials.

What Can You Bring?

Monroe County residents can bring up to 30 gallons of liquid and 75 pounds of solid HHW per appointment without charge. No 55-gallon drums will be accepted. NOTE: There are many other materials accepted at ecopark that DO NOT require an appointment (fluorescent lights, pharmaceutical waste, sharps/syringes, recyclables, etc.). Please click here for a full listing.

Acceptable

• Oil-based and Latex Paint (for 1/3-can or less of latex paint: discard lid, add kitty litter, stir, let dry, place can(s) in trash)
• Wood Stain and Preservatives
• Full or Partially Full Aerosol Cans
• Automotive Fluids (antifreeze; brake, power steering and transmission fluids)
• Pesticides and Fertilizers
• Flammable Products (gasoline, kerosene, thinners, strippers, solvents, glues, etc.)
• Household Cleaners (soaps, waxes, drain cleaners, etc.)
• Driveway Sealer
• Propane Tanks (1 and 20-pound only)
• Pool and Photo Chemicals
• Mercury (thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent tubes; Note: Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) should be brought to any Home Depot/Lowes for recycling) - click here for small mercury spill instructions. If a CFL or fluorescent tube breaks in your home, click here for information. For information on NYS law regarding the management of mercury-added consumer products, click here.
• Syringes/Sharps (safely packaged) - Note: Call your doctor, pharmacy or clinic and ask if they accept properly-contained sharps for disposal. Effective July 1, 1995, NYS law requires hospitals and nursing homes to accept properly-contained home medical waste for disposal.
• Cooking Oil/Cooking Grease