Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are products that contain ingredients that say caution, warning, danger or poison on the label. These include paint thinner, cleaners  and pesticides. Other items that don’t have labels like fluorescent lights and batteries are also hazardous waste. If disposed of improperly, these products can be harmful to humans, wildlife and the environment. Proper disposal prevents household hazardous waste from affecting our environment by being spilled, left outside, or posing a threat to our pets' or kids' health.

What is ending up in the trash that should be brought to a Hazardous Waste location? Here’s what we see in the garbage going to the landfill: adhesives and glue, household batteries, cleaners, and fluorescent bulbs/tubes. The King County Waste Monitoring Program’s 2015 King County Waste Characterization and Customer Survey Report offers this and other insights into what's in our garbage. Here you can find what to bring and what not to bring to a HHW disposal location.

Some items have other special instructions for disposal. Here are answers to some common questions:

• Latex paint can go in your regular garbage, if you cannot use it up or give it away. It cannot be taken at a HHW disposal location. Latex paint needs to be completely dried out before it’s put in the garbage. Dry it uncovered in open air, add paint hardener or add cat litter to solidify it. Here’s a brief video showing how to do this. (Oil-based paint must go to a HHW disposal location.)
• King County residents can find safe disposal locations for the medicines they no longer need. There are drop-box locations throughout King County. Participating locations accept most prescription and over-the-counter medicines for disposal. Mail-back envelopes are also available for residents that are home bound or have limited mobility. There is no cost to residents for this service.

If you're ever unsure of what to do with an item, check the WDIDW website.

Bag Your Bags

Clean plastic bags can be bagged together and recycled at these retailers. Plastic bags and film collected at grocery stores stay cleaner and are easier for recycling facilities to process than bags placed in your home recycling collection bin.  

Here is a flexible recipe that can be enjoyed several times as leftovers.

Chickpea Sauté with Yogurt

1 large bunch Swiss chard
Olive oil, plus extra to finish
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into medium dice
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 1/2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon each chopped mint and cilantro
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup Greek/plain yogurt
Salt and pepper

Separate the chard stalks from the leaves. Blanch stalks in boiling salted water 3 minutes. Add the leaves and continue cooking 2 minutes, then drain. Refresh under cold running water and squeeze dry, then chop roughly.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add carrots and caraway seeds and sauté 5 minutes on medium heat. Add chard and chickpeas and continue cooking for 6 minutes. Add garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and some salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and cool down a little. Taste and adjust seasoning.

To serve, mix together yogurt, olive oil and some salt and pepper. Plate the sauté and spoon the yogurt on top. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

Share your favorite recipe to make and eat as leftovers on our Facebook page!

Try Compost this Season

In King County, your food and yard waste is used to make compost. We practice Natural Yard Care because by working with nature in your yard, you can have a great looking landscape that's easier to care for and healthier for families, pets, wildlife and our great Northwest environment.

Using compost is a important part of Natural Yard Care; compost keeps your garden healthy by acting as a environmentally friendly fertilizer encouraging healthy plants which are more resistant to pests and diseases. Learn how to use it in your garden, here!

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