When certain household chemicals are not used up, they can become household hazardous waste (HHW). Many household products contain the same chemicals as strictly regulated industrial wastes and pose similar environmental and health problems. Although the quantities of chemicals disposed of by individual households may be small, the number of households in Minnesota are many, and the amount of waste adds up.

Minnesota Household Hazardous Waste Program
This is a partnership involving the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) and Minnesota counties. The program provides education about household hazardous waste purchase, use, storage and disposal, as well as maintains a network of regional, local and mobile facilities to collect household hazardous waste statewide. In addition to the facilities, many counties offer one-day event collections or temporary collection sites.

Locate a household hazardous waste disposal facility near you.
* McLeod County Environmental Services: 320-864-5176
* Renville Local Water Protection and Management Office: 320-523-3768
* Sibley County Environmental Services: 507-237-4091

Program Objective and Technical Assistance
* to protect the environment by reducing the amount and toxicity of pollutants released,
* to improve the health and safety of people in their homes by providing education on how to purchase, use and store household chemical products,
* to protect workers and waste-management facilities from adverse impacts of discarded household chemicals,
* to reduce long-term cost of emission controls and residual treatment for waste-processing facilities,
To provide proper management for unwanted products.

MPCA Technical and Administrative Assistance
* program design and development
* facility operation
* administration of contracts for household hazardous waste management
* county program staff training and development in the areas of safety and education.

For assistance or further information call MPCA at 651-296-6300 or toll-free 800-657-3864 (Minnesota only) and ask for the Household Waste Program Staff.

For more information on Sibley County Household Waste Program: www.co.sibley.mn.us

For more information on McLeod County Household Waste Program: www.co.mcleod.mn.us

For more information on Renville County Solid Waste Program: www.co.renville.mn.us

Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency