Household Hazardous Waste

What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? 

HHW is any household material that is toxic or corrosive, or can catch fire, react or explode under certain conditions. These items may pose a threat to human health and/or the environment if discarded improperly. Examples include bleaches, cleaning solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals and more.

Madison County's HHW Program Overview:

  • In an effort to keep these materials out of the landfill, the Madison County Dept. of Solid Waste funds a FREE household hazardous waste program for its residents (business waste not accepted). Madison County residents can bring their waste to Miller Environmental Group in Syracuse, NY. 
  • Please read the information on this page and then fill out the household hazardous waste registration form to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required
    • There is a limit of 1 visit per household per year.
HHW

How Do I Get Rid of HHW?


  • STEP 1: Categorize the types of HHW you are looking to get rid of. You will need to know an estimated quantity for each type when you fill out our reservation form. Residents can bring up to 20 liquid gallons AND 30 solid pounds of accepted HHW for FREE. There is a charge for overages. Please review our accepted HHW items below.
    • The amount is determined by the container or bag size, NOT the amount remaining in the container of bag. For example, a gallon of bleach that only has 1/2 gallon left would be counted as 1 full gallon of material. 
    • Please leave materials in their original containers and do not consolidate with any other materials.
    • Do not bring empty paint cans to the collection facility. They are garbage.
  • STEP 2: Request an appointment. To set up an HHW appointment, please fill out the reservation form and enter your preferred date/time. 
    • Miller Environmental Group, Inc. is open Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM. If possible, Monday, Thursday & Friday drop-off appointments are preferred by the HHW facility but we will work to accommodate any weekday requests. 
    • Appointments will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    • There is a limit of one visit per household per year.
    • Next-day appointments will not be allowed. We require a minimum of 48 hours (2 full business days) to notify the facility and confirm the appointment. Once confirmed, you will receive an email with your confirmed appointment date/time and directions to the facility.
  • STEP 3: Bring your HHW to Miller Environmental Group in Syracuse during your designated appointment time! 


Examples of Items that are Considered Household Hazardous Wastes:

Please note that due to the extensive nature of products created and sold, this is not an all-encompassing list and only provides an overview of some of the categories considered HHW. While many of these products may not pose an immediate threat by itself, it can cause larger issues, such as ignitability or reactivity, when mixed with other materials. If you are unsure about an item, please call our Main Office for clarification.

  • Partially Full or Full Aerosol Paints or Spray Cans
  • Ammonia
  • Antifreeze
  • Automotive Products and Vehicle Fluids (Brake or Diesel Fluid, Engine Degreaser, Transmission Fluid) 
    • Used Motor Oil can be brought back to local vehicle service and vehicle retail businesses
  • Bleaches
  • Cleaning Solvents/Supplies (Toilet Bowl Cleaner)
  • Chemistry Sets
  • Degreasers
  • Drain Cleaners
  • Driveway Sealer
  • Floor Care Products & Polish
  • Furniture Strippers & Polish
  • Adhesives/Glues/Sealants
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Kerosene
  • Fertilizers (Liquid or Solid)
  • Lighter Fluid
  • Lye
  • Mineral Spirits
  • Mothballs
  • Oven Cleaners
  • Paint Strippers, Thinners & Additives
  • Pesticides
  • Petroleum Products
  • Photo Chemicals
  • Pool Chemicals (Liquid or Solid)
  • Mercury-Containing Products (Thermometers, Barometer) 
    •  Mercury Thermostats should be brought to the Buyea Road Residential Station and given to an attendant.
  • Turpentine
  • Unusable Gasoline
  • Wood Preservatives Containing Pesticides
  • Any Toxic, Flammable, Poisonous or Corrosive Products


PROHIBITED WASTES UNDER THIS PROGRAM: 

  • Commercial or industrial wastes
  • Ammunition or explosives
  • Controlled substances (drugs)
  • Radioactive waste
  • Pharmaceutical waste
  • Propane/pressurized tanks
  • Mercury thermostats (bring to Buyea Rd. Residential Station)
  • Syringes


Other Reminders:

  • Fluorescent bulbs can be brought to any of the 4 transfer stations when open. See attendant for fluorescent bulb collection.


PaintCare Program for Leftover Latex and Oil-Based Paints 

  • As of May 1, 2022, the PaintCare program has set up free drop-off sites for oil-based and latex paint, along with primers, sealers, stains, varnishes and more. To learn more about what items are accepted in the PaintCare program, visit: www.paintcare.org/products/ 
    • To find a PaintCare drop-off site near you, please visit: https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/
    • Aerosols (spray paints) are not accepted through PaintCare drop-off sites. Please continue to put them through our HHW program.
  • In Madison County, residents can bring accepted PaintCare items to the following participating locations. Some sites may have a limit of 5 gallons per visit.
    • Kime Hardware, Canastota 
    • Cazenovia Lumber & Oil, Cazenovia
    • Parry's, Hamilton - limit of 5 gallons per customer per day. Bring paint to the Service Counter in the back of Parry's during store hours.
    • Through our HHW program - please submit paint quantities under the correct category. Items covered under the PaintCare program do not go towards the limit of 20 liquid gallons and 30 solid pounds of HHW material.
  • Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste. Another option to dispose of latex (water-based) paint is to throw away the lid and dry out the left-over paint. Add an absorbent like kitty litter and allow mixture to air dry until hard. Once dry, throw the can in the garbage. Do NOT do this for oil-based paints as these need to go to a paint drop off location.