Environmental Resources

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is defined as home-generated materials that include products such as paints, paint thinners, solvents, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, automotive waste, cleaning agents, swimming pool chemicals, photographic materials, batteries, mercury containing items, and fluorescent bulbs.

Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year. The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in garages, attics, and storage closets. Improper disposal of household products harms the environment and may endanger human health.

Household Hazardous Waste and Scrap Tire Collection Events

Several times a year, the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) hosts HHW Events where Southeast Texans can properly dispose of hazardous materials free of charge. During the past several collection events, scrap tire collection events have been held in conjunction with HHW events.

During these free collection events, the SETRPC collects items that could pose health and environmental risks if disposed of improperly. The SETRPC accepts household hazardous items including paints, cleaners, antifreeze, batteries, oil, automotive waste, insecticides, swimming pool chemicals, mercury, fluorescent bulbs and much more. Materials not accepted during these events include general trash, electronic waste, appliances, pesticides or herbicides containing 2,4,5-T Silvex (exception: quantities less than 5 gallons will be accepted), explosives, compressed gas cylinders, fertilizers or nutrient materials that are neither hazardous nor contain pesticides, admixtures, and pesticides or wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol.

During these HHW and Scrap Tire Collection Events, the SETRPC collects scrap tires at no charge for the first eight tires. A cash disposal fee of $1.00 is required for each additional tire.

Materials Collected During Past HHW Events

For more information concerning the HHW Program or to receive email notifications for upcoming HHW events, contact Bob Dickinson at bdickinson@setrpc.org or 409-899-8444 x7520.