Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) materials are common products used around the home almost every day. A substance is considered hazardous if it ignites easily, reacts or explodes when mixed with other substances, is corrosive or toxic. Check for labels that bear the words "poison", "toxic", "warning", "danger", "combustible", "flammable", "corrosive", or "caution."
HHW should not be disposed of through weekly trash & recycling collection. They could pose an unnecessary health and safety risk to sanitary workers collecting and handling the trash & recycling. Unwanted materials should be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner to avoid these safety issues, as well as to avoid potentially polluting our water and land.
Option 1:
HHW Voucher program OPEN
Erie County offers a free program allowing Erie County residents to bring up to 50-lbs. of acceptable household hazardous waste to Hazman in Tonawanda, NY. Make an appointment to utilize the voucher program with Hazman
If you bring more than 50-lbs or items not listed as acceptable, there will be additional charges.
Commercial, Business or Farm Waste is not included. Household hazardous waste only.
Unacceptable Items/Additional Fees are listed on the Hazman materials website.
Option 2:
Our next free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held in southern Erie County on November 7, 2026. Check back in October for registration information and location details or call our HHW Information line at (716) 858-6800 for more information.
Acceptable Materials List at Erie County HHW Collection Events
- Automotive:
- waste automotive fluids
- gasoline,
- antifreeze,
- brake & transmission fluids;
- Paints, Solvents, etc.:
- oil-based paints,
- latex paint
- paint strippers and thinners,
- Stains and varnishes
- spray paints,
- kerosene & other solvents;
- Pesticides, chemicals, etc.:
- pesticides & herbicides,
- fertilizers and
- pool chemicals;
- Mercury and any Mercury containing devices such as thermometers or thermostats.
- Small Propane cylinders (1lb. camping)
- Household Batteries (including alkaline and rechargeable)
Unacceptable Materials List
- 20lb Propane Tanks
- Electronic Waste/ Televisions
- Medical Waste/ Medications
- Asbestos. View the New York State rules on asbestos regulation.
- Explosives, Ammunition and Gun Powder - contact your local police department.
- Smoke Detectors (radioactive materials) - for information call First Alert at 1-800-323-9005.
- Cooking oils - call Darling International at (716) 895-0655 for disposal of cooking oils
- Syringes/Needles - visit the Erie County Department of Health Needle Disposal & Access page
- Tires - should be disposed of at any retail tire dealer (a nominal disposal fee may apply).
- Cylinders of compressed gases, such as (but not limited to): - oxygen, acetylene, helium, carbon dioxide, freons, other refrigerant gases, etc.
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fluorescent light bulbs or ballasts.
In addition, Commercial, Business or Farm Waste is not accepted. Erie County's hazardous waste disposal program for Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators may be a suitable option to dispose of these materials.
For more information about proper disposal:
You can search for proper recycling/disposal options for many materials at our Beyond the Curb website.
Please click here to join our mailing list to be notified of HHW events and other programs.
To contact us: recycle@erie.gov
HHW Collection Feasibility Study
Through a local government efficiency grant from the NYSDOS, Erie County engaged Solara Inc. to conduct a feasibility study related to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection programs. The objective of this study was to thoroughly review the HHW program and find ways to increase efficiency and decrease costs. The study was completed in June of 2018.
The study reviewed cost and participation times for different types of programs and services in which HHW was collected. They concluded that successful programs with high participation rates provide a convenient location, as well as an HHW contractor that provides a comprehensive event planning bundle to streamline service and minimize time. These services include regionally held events, a permanent facility, and satellite events in conjunction with a permanent facility, and a voucher system to give residents the opportunity to attend a privately owned facility. It was also determined that economically-driven homeowners and businesses (individuals who need to get rid of hazardous waste by a certain deadline) prefer a permanent site because it provides a convenient way to dispose of waste quickly without needing to wait for an event.
A permanent facility, centrally-located within the County, would not only increase efficiency but also allow the opportunity to serve more people. Along with the permanent facility, monthly satellite events located outside the facility would create a system in which almost everyone in the county would have increased access to this service.
Given the findings of the feasibility study, Erie County Department of Environment and Planning now provides a voucher program to a permanent facility within Erie County, two or more collection events annually, and occasional satellite programs as funding allows.