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Household Hazardous Waste Program


Every home in Huntsville and Madison County has hazardous products that need to be disposed of safely: old cleaners, waxes, paint, garden poisons, solvents, automotive fluids or other hazardous chemicals. These items can be hazardous to the environment, animals and our families when they are stockpiled, abandoned or disposed of improperly.

The goal of the Handle With Care household hazardous waste program is to reduce the toxicity of the community's waste stream by removing as much of the household hazardous wastes as possible.

By achieving this goal, the program is reducing injuries to waste-handling personnel; lessening the risks of injuries to fire and rescue personnel due to improper storage of hazardous waste in homes; decreasing air, ground and water pollution as well as the contamination to our local sewage treatment plants and storm drains.

Examples of household wasteThe program is free of charge to all residents of Madison County and the City of Huntsville. The program is for residents ONLY. We cannot accept hazardous wastes from farms, businesses or non-profit agencies at the Handle with Care Facility.

Businesses may call 256-8806054 concerning the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program.

You can drop off household hazardous waste on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at the Handle with Care Collection Center at the Huntsville Landfill, 4100 Leeman Ferry Road. For special assistance, contact Dixie Bray at 256-880-6054.

List of Acceptable Household
Hazardous Wastes

The following items can be brought to the Handle With Care Collection Center to be disposed of properly:

Paint and Paint Related Products
Oil or water-based paints*
Mineral spirits
Turpentine and thinners
Furniture strippers
Paint removers
Stains
Aerosols
*If your cans of water-based paints are less than 1/3 full, remove the lid and allow the water to evaporate. When the paint has solidified you can then put it in your regular household garbage can for curbside pickup.

Automotive Products
Antifreeze
 Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Anti-freeze
Car batteries
Used motor oil

Lawn and Garden Poisons
garden poison
 Weed killers
Liquids
Powders
Sprays
Soaps
Herbicides, pesticides and fungicides
Rodent poisons
Roach and flea powder

Household Cleaners
drain cleaner
 Oven cleaners
Toilet cleaners
Disinfectants
Drain cleaners
Rug and upholstery cleaners
Floor and furniture polishes
Ammonia or bleach-based products

Miscellaneous
Pool Chemicals

Acids
Pool Chemicals
Photographic Chemicals
Solvents
Household batteries
Mercury containing devices such as thermometers and thermostats

NOT Acceptable
We can not accept explosives, radioactive or biological waste. If you are not sure about the acceptability of an item, contact the Household Hazardous Waste Program at 256-880-6054.


Prevention is the Best Cure!
The best way to get rid of household hazardous waste, is to not collect it in the first place. Here are a few hints for reducing the chemical clutter in your home:
Bullet Only purchase the amount of product you will use in a reasonable period of time. When buying paint, insecticides or pesticides, figure the area you will be working with, then check the product label for coverage instructions.
Bullet Use all of the product according to the instructions on the label. Rinse the empty container three times before disposing of it in your regular household trash.
Bullet See if your neighbors or local organizations can use any excess product you may have left over.
Bullet Become a label reader. Just as consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, so are the manufacturers. Try to purchase environmentally friendly products.

Packaging

Please try to bring household hazardous wastes in their original containers. However, if these containers are damaged please put them in a box that has been lined with two garbage bags or in a container with a lid. If your household wastes are leaking, put the box or container in cat litter, sawdust or other similar absorbent materials.

Location and Hours

Bring acceptable items to the Handle With Care Collection Center Building. It is located at the Huntsville Landfill, 4100 Leeman Ferry Road, just south of the Leeman Ferry and Johnson Road intersection. Household hazardous waste is collected at the landfill BUT it is not disposed of in the landfill. The Collection Center accepts waste on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. until Noon. If a Holiday falls on the Friday before or Monday following that Saturday, the collection will be on the second Saturday of the month.

If you know of someone who is disabled or needs special assistance, contact Dixie Bray at 256-880-6054 to arrange for weekday pickup of household hazardous wastes.

This disposal service is free of charge to all non-commercial city and county households.

If you have further questions regarding the Household Hazardous Waste Program, contact: Dixie Bray, phone: 256-880-6054.


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