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Household Hazardous Waste

Many household products contain toxic ingredients and should not be discarded with the trash when other options are available. Two Montana communities have permanent, ongoing household hazardous waste (HHW) collection programs, and other communities have annual or occasional HHW collection events or paint exchanges. Many communities however, do not have the funds to offer such programs to their citizens.(HHW events typically cost thousands of dollars due to the expensive processing and landfilling costs of the hazardous materials collected.) Contact your county solid waste management office to find out how household hazardous waste is handled in your area.

  • All Montana citizens can avoid generating HHW by choosing more natural, alternative products.
  • Buying just what you need and completely using up the product is another way of avoiding disposal of toxics into your trash.
  • NEVER pour HHW products down a sink, toilet or bathtub drain unless the products are made for that purpose.
  • NEVER pour used oil, pesticides and similar hazardous products on the ground or into storm drains.

There are many information sources about HHW and alternative products on the Internet. We have tried to pick a few of the best to include on this website, but encourage you to explore the Internet and find out more.

Sure, your home is clean... but is it safe for your family? – This EPA website provides specific, helpful information to help you identify household products that could be harmful. It also provides information on storage and disposal. Another EPA HHW website: Household Hazardous Waste  See the EPA List of Common Household Hazardous Waste Products

Health & Safety Information / Household Products Database – The National Library of Medicine database includes brand-specific labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) prepared by manufacturers.

Alternative Products

Consumer Reports Greener Choices.org - This Consumers Union website provides non-commercial, independently researched, unbiased information so that consumers can find practical information on buying “greener” products with reduced environmental impacts.

Products for A Better Planet

Green Ratings Cleaning Products

About.com - Owned by the New York Times Company, About.com describes itself as “an online neighborhood of hundreds of helpful experts.”

Non-Toxic Household Cleaners

Environmental Cleaning Solutions

HealthGoods.com - This online store offers educational information, as well as products.

Information Disclaimer
Website links are provided for educational purposes only. Such links are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites and no information in such sites has been endorsed or approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.

Montana HHW Programs

DEQ Hazardous Waste Program – find lists of hazardous waste consultants, transporters and remediation firms.

Bozeman HHW Program – The City Shop Complex accepts HHW throughout the year by appointment only.

Flathead County Solid Waste District – holds a HHW Collection day on the 3rd Saturday of every month, call for an appointment by the 2nd week to schedule. Or print out the form and mail it in to them to be scheduled for the next event.

Missoula Valley Water Quality District HHW Annual Event – Find out dates, acceptable materials, and guidance.

Hot Topics

Batteries, Electronics and Oil – DEQ website with information about recycling these items and more.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) – are highly energy efficient, but also contain mercury. Learn more about why you should purchase and use them, as well as how to dispose of them at end-of-life.

Mercury – DEQ website providing information and more links regarding mercury and mercury management in Montana.