What is hhw?

Household hazardous waste can be any common household item

Some of those half-used containers under your kitchen sink or tucked away in your garage could contain toxic chemicals that are harmful, or even deadly in certain circumstances.

Some paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain hazardous ingredients.

Household hazardous waste, or HHW, is any chemical or product that can cause serious illness or pose an environmental or health threat if not properly stored, transported, or disposed of. Items can be purchased at home improvement stores, auto parts stores, supermarkets, yard and landscaping nurseries, and other similar places. This includes products that are corrosive or have the potential to react or combust. Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, mineral spirits, and furniture polish, are examples of substances that contain corrosive or potentially combustible ingredients.

Household hazardous waste is dangerous because

  • Items kept in the house can spill or leak, and children or pets could get into them.
  • Containers thrown in the trash could end up in a landfill and get into the ground or ground water. 
  • Materials poured down the drain could damage public storm water drainage systems or make their way into wastewater treatment facilities. 
  • Some ingredients when not properly stored can turn corrosive or reactive.

What we accept

This is a sampling of some of the most common items customers bring to the center. If you want to be sure that we can accept your items, search it on our Accepted Items page. Here are some of the main items that we do not accept.

Paint PRODUCTS

Most used paint products can be recycled for free at our facility through the PaintCare program. These items include oil and latex house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. (up to 5 gallon containers, 200 gallons per visit. Spray paint is not included.) Click here to book an appointment.

Cleaners and Pesticides
Batteries (Alkaline, rechargeable, and lithium batteries)
Motor Oil and Antifreeze
Electronics and Computer Parts

We’re a certified E-waste recycler and we accept anything with a cord. It’s illegal to throw many electronics in the trash. To keep heavy metals out of landfills, the center accepts computer parts and electronic materials for a per pound charge. Items must be taken apart by hand, and metals and other hazardous components must be recycled. This increases the costs of recycling. Other certified electronic waste recyclers may cost less. Search accepted materials here, and check pricing here. 

Free items

For Jeffco residents (and Arvada residents in Adams County) you can drop off some items for free and it is paid for by your local jurisdiction.

  • Paint products: Oil and latex house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. (Up to 5 gallon containers, 200 gallons per visit. Spray paint is not included.)  
  • Automotive batteries
  • Motor oil (up to 5 gallon containers)
  • Small camping propane cylinders (1 pound)

What we do not accept

Here are some examples of items we cannot accept and some recommendations on where you could take your items instead. Click here for a list of additional recycling resources. To be sure we accept your specific items, enter the name on our Accepted Items page.

Organic Materials and yard waste
  • No organic recycling is available at the Rooney Road Recycling Center. 
  • Alternatives include:  jeffco.us/slash and A-1 Organics
  • Alternatives include wood chippers to turn tree branches into mulch 
  • Use the mulch created for landscaping purposes
Radioactive materials

Smoke detectors: Call your local government

Biological or Medical Material
DEA-Controlled Substances

Prescription painkillers: Call your local government

Explosives

Fireworks: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Ammunition: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Tires

Local tire retailers such as Go Green Tires or Discount Tires

Appliances

Look for scrap metal recycling locations

Reuse Room

The Reuse Room at the center offers a variety of household chemicals which are available for free, as well as used paint products through the PaintCare program. Some examples include:

  • Solvents
  • Gasoline
  • Pesticides
  • Fertilizer
  • Batteries
  • Cleaners