What is household hazardous waste?
Household hazardous waste, often abbreviated to HHW, is a term used to describe a broad range of items, including flammables, gasoline, pesticides, toxics, corrosives and other potentially hazardous products. These materials can be helpful for our everyday life and pose little risk if used and stored properly. However, when their useful life is over, it’s critical that they are collected and disposed of responsibly, so they do not endanger humans, wildlife, or our environment.
Many Canadian provinces have adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for these materials. Depending on the jurisdiction, these programs may be referred to as household hazardous waste (HHW) programs or hazardous and special products (HSP) programs, and the products accepted vary by province. Check your province’s program page to confirm which products are accepted.
