Household Hazardous Waste Collection

EHS will be holding an event collecting household hazardous waste. The flyer image is below (or PDF version here). More information below the flyer!

flyer for household hazardous waste event

What is a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event?

During the HHW event, GT community members will have an opportunity to properly dispose of dangerous household items that are no longer in use.

EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.

For more information about the EPA’s recommendations regarding the HHW, please go to https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw.

How much will this cost me?

This is a FREE event for the GT Community. Your BuzzCard is required only (as proof of being a Yellow Jacket).

Where is the event? How do I get my HHW to the event?

This is a drive-through event. The event is located at 793 Marietta St NW, Atlanta GA 30318, at the Environmental Health & Safety Building parking lot. The HHW Event staff will unload your waste from your vehicle. You will not need to exit your vehicle.

What do I need for the event?

Your BuzzCard and your household hazardous waste. This event follows the GT COVID-19 campus guidelines including wearing a mask while interacting with all the HHW Event staff.

Why do you need my BuzzCard? Will you need my GT ID#?

This event is open to the GT Community members only. We do NOT record your GT ID#.

How much waste can I bring? Cans, boxes, baskets?

Each vehicle can bring up to five (5) laundry basket sized containers worth of waste. A “container” is NOT just one item, but a box or basket worth of items. This equates to approximately 15 cubic feet of waste. Please remember that “containers” will not be returned to the GT member.

multiple images of household hazardous waste in a laundry basket, copy paper box, home depot bucket, or cat litter container

Does the waste need to be in containers?

No, you do not need to bring your waste in containers. However, having a container will help the HHW event staff during the drop off tremendously.

Who is taking my waste away?

Georgia Tech Environmental Health & Safety is hosting this event. Tradebe will properly dispose of all the waste collected during this event.

Tradebe USA has been the leader in hazardous waste collection, chemical disposal, and recycling solutions in the USA since 1983 (for more information, please go to https://www.tradebeusa.com/). Georgia Tech EHS has been working with Tradebe for years. EHS HazMat and Tradebe handle all chemical waste produced by our undergraduate & graduate research labs and GT Facilities.

Do I need to wear a mask? (COVID-19)

Yes. This event follows the GT COVID-19 campus guidelines, including wearing a mask while interacting with all the HHW event staff.

Why should I bring my waste to the event?

Small quantities of hazardous materials are common in the homes of most Americans. To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the regular trash.

The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. They can also present hazards to children and pets if left around the house.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw

Reducing HHW in Your Home – some informative links below:

If I can’t attend at the GT HHW event (April 20-22nd, 2021), where can I dispose my HHW to protect my family’s health and the environment?

HHW events are held by local government often. Please see links below for more information on alternatives.

Georgia EPD: https://epd.georgia.gov/land-protection-branch/hazardous-waste/household-hazardous-waste

City of Atlanta: https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/public-works/office-of-solid-waste-services/household-hazardous-waste-disposal

Fulton: https://www.roswellgov.com/discover-us/calendar/hazardous-waste

https://keepnorthfultonbeautiful.org/johns-creek

https://livethrive.org/charm/

Dekalb: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/news/spring-household-hazardous-waste-event-free-dekalb-residents

Cobb: https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/education/water-quality/home/household-hazardous-waste

Gwinnett: http://www.gwinnettcb.org/event/hhw/