Moderate risk waste

Household hazardous waste or moderate risk waste?

In Washington, household hazardous waste is part of a broader category of waste called moderate risk waste (MRW). MRW includes:

Household hazardous waste: pesticides, paints, pharmaceuticals, cleaners, and other common household chemicals that are dangerous/hazardous wastes

Small quantity generator waste: small quantities of dangerous/hazardous waste generated by businesses classified as small quantity generators (SQG).

The term "moderate risk" does not mean the materials are only moderately hazardous. It refers to waste generated in small volumes. These small volumes pose a lower individual threat to human health and the environment. However, moderate risk waste is still harmful. For this reason, it is safest when managed separately from municipal solid waste and sent to either a permitted treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facility, or a recycling facility.

Local governments in Washington must plan for the management of moderate risk waste generated within their jurisdictions. While the law allows for disposal of MRW into municipal solid waste streams, most local governments and some private solid waste facilities collect MRW in separate facilities for management at TSD facilities. Local governments may also incorporate restrictions on where it can be disposed. These restrictions may include ordinances against the disposal of MRW into the regular garbage.

Learn what can be legally disposed in your area before placing it into the garbage or find out if your jurisdiction has MRW facilities to divert it from regular trash. Contact your local solid waste department to learn about restrictions and MRW facility acceptance of household hazardous or SQG waste.

What's hazardous in my home?

Many everyday products contain harmful chemicals and require proper handling to protect your health and the environment. Look for hazard warnings such as flammable, corrosive, or toxic on product labels. Examples include:

• Home repair: Adhesives, oil-based paint, thinner, epoxy, paint stripper, lithium-ion batteries
• Cleaners: Oven cleaners, deck cleaners, degreasers, bleach, toilet cleaners
• Pesticides and fertilizers: Wood preservatives, mole killer, herbicides, pesticides
• Auto and boat equipment: Batteries, paint, gasoline, oil, antifreeze, solvents
• Hobbies and recreation: Pool chemicals, glaze, paint, stains, white gas
• Miscellaneous: Ammunition, fireworks, vaping devices

Other hazardous materials include items like cathode ray tubes in monitors and TVs, fluorescent bulbs, electronic waste, thermostats, and some pharmaceuticals. Check with your local MRW facility for a list of accepted items.

Handling household hazardous waste

• Tips for safely managing hazardous household substances can be found on our web page.

• Learn more about hazardous materials from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Where to dispose of moderate risk waste

To divert your hazardous waste from the regular trash, take it to an MRW collection facility, collection event, or a take-back location, such as E-Cycle Washington, PaintCare, LightRecycle, or Safe Medication Return locations.

• Find a moderate risk waste collection site in your county.
• Visit the 1-800-RECYCLE online database or call 1-800-RECYCLE for other moderate-risk waste disposal and recycling options.

Resources for businesses

• Find a dangerous waste management contractor
• Small Quantity Generator (SQG) waste management guidance

Pollution prevention resources

• Ecology’s pollution prevention resources
• Technical Resources for Engineering Efficiency (TREE)
• Pollution Prevention Resource Center

Regulatory guidance for moderate-risk waste facilities

• Regulatory guidance for facilities collecting and managing household hazardous waste and moderate risk waste.