Household Hazardous Waste

Proper disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) continues to threaten our environment. To address this need, a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility was opened at the S.L. County Landfill in 1996 and, due to an overwhelming success, a second permanent facility was opened in 2000. The two facilities collect over 823,000 pounds of hazardous waste each year.

Chemicals like paint, pesticides, fuels, antifreeze, and oils can easily contaminate our precious groundwater if not disposed of responsibly. When people dispose of household products in the storm drain, sink, or garbage, these chemicals can end up in local bodies of water or groundwater and contaminate our precious drinking water. Improperly stored chemicals can also cause house fires and accidental poisonings.

Many of the items that people bring in for disposal are still usable. All usable items are available free to the public at the Re-use Centers that are located at the Household Hazardous Waste permanent collection facilities. The centers have paint, pesticides, fertilizers and much more. Last year, the HHW re-use program collected and shipped 83,536 lbs. of latex paint to the beautification project in Juarez, Mexico, resulting in a county disposal cost savings of $29,120.

Items that are not reusable but can be recycled are sorted and shipped to different recycling manufacturers. They in turn, make other products from the materials they receive. Some of the products that can be made from the materials are paint primer, caulking and lubricants. Finally, items that can't be reused or recycled are sent to facilities where the material is safely destroyed in 1400 degree Fahrenheit incinerators.

For more information on the SLVHD Household Hazardous Waste Community Collection Days, call 313-6745, or visit our website at www.slvhealth.org


Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities
Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility
6030 West California Avenue (1400 South)
Open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday

Trans Jordan Landfill
10873 South 7200 West
Open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday