Discover 10 everyday household items that qualify as hazardous waste in Asheville and require special disposal methods. Learn how to safely handle these common but potentially dangerous materials.
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10 Common Household Items You Didn’t Know Were Hazardous Waste

When it comes to cleaning out your home in Asheville, it’s easy to toss everything into a dumpster and call it a day. But did you know many common household items actually qualify as hazardous waste? These items can harm the environment, contaminate water supplies, or pose serious risks to waste management workers if not disposed of properly. As your local waste management experts in Western North Carolina, we’ve put together this guide to help you identify everyday items that require special handling. Understanding what qualifies as hazardous waste not only protects our beautiful Asheville environment but also ensures you’re disposing of your unwanted items safely and legally.

What Makes Something “Hazardous Waste”?

Before diving into specific items, it helps to understand what makes something hazardous in the first place. Hazardous waste typically contains chemicals or properties that can be harmful to people, animals, or the environment. These materials might be toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive. Many household products we use daily contain these potentially dangerous properties, though we rarely think about it while using them.

1. Paint and Paint Products

That half-empty can of paint in your garage isn’t just taking up space—it’s potentially hazardous waste. Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, and paint thinners contain chemicals that can contaminate soil and water if improperly disposed of. Even water-based latex paints, while less harmful, should never be poured down drains or thrown in regular trash when wet. If you have leftover paint from your Asheville home renovation, consider donating usable paint to community organizations or taking it to a hazardous waste collection event rather than adding it to your dumpster rental.

2. Household Batteries

While some newer alkaline batteries can go in regular trash, many batteries—particularly rechargeable ones—contain heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel that can leach into soil and groundwater. Button batteries used in watches and hearing aids are especially hazardous despite their small size. Here in Buncombe County, we recommend collecting your batteries and taking them to designated drop-off locations rather than putting them in your waste bin.

3. Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Those outdated computers, phones, TVs, and other electronics contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and flame retardants. When electronics break down in landfills, these toxins can release into our Western North Carolina environment. Additionally, many electronics contain valuable materials that can be recycled. Instead of adding them to your junk removal pile, look for e-waste recycling events in Asheville or designated e-waste drop-off locations.

4. Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes contain small amounts of mercury vapor that can be released if broken. Even LED bulbs contain electronic components that shouldn’t go in regular trash. While incandescent bulbs can technically go in regular waste, recycling is always preferable. Many hardware stores throughout Henderson and Buncombe counties offer recycling programs for light bulbs.

5. Cleaning Products

Many household cleaners contain chemicals that can be corrosive, toxic, or reactive. Oven cleaners, drain openers, furniture polish, and ammonia-based products should never be mixed or disposed of in regular trash when full or partially full. If possible, use up these products or give them to someone who can use them. Empty containers can typically go in regular recycling, but containers with leftover product should go to hazardous waste collection.

6. Pesticides and Fertilizers

Garden chemicals might help your Asheville garden thrive, but they can be harmful to wildlife, water sources, and even people if improperly handled. Weed killers, insecticides, rodent poisons, and chemical fertilizers contain toxic compounds designed to kill or alter biological functions. Never rinse containers in sinks or storm drains, and always take unused products to hazardous waste collection facilities.

7. Automotive Fluids

Motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, and brake fluid are all considered hazardous waste. Just one quart of motor oil can contaminate thousands of gallons of water. Many auto parts stores in Asheville and surrounding communities accept used motor oil and other automotive fluids for recycling. Never dump these fluids down drains, on the ground, or in regular trash.

8. Mercury-Containing Items

Beyond light bulbs, many older items contain mercury, including thermometers, thermostats, and certain medical devices. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can cause serious health problems. If you find mercury-containing items during your home cleanout, handle them with extreme care to prevent breakage and take them to specialized collection facilities.

9. Medications

Expired or unwanted medications shouldn’t be flushed down toilets or thrown in trash where they can contaminate water supplies or be accessed by children or animals. Many pharmacies in Western North Carolina have take-back programs, and the DEA hosts periodic collection events. Some medications can be disposed of in household trash if mixed with undesirable substances like coffee grounds and sealed, but hazardous waste collection is preferable.

10. Aerosol Cans

While empty aerosol cans can often go in regular recycling, partially full cans may be pressurized and contain hazardous propellants or products. Hair spray, spray paint, insecticides, and other aerosol products should be completely emptied before recycling or taken to hazardous waste collection if still containing product.

How to Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste in Asheville

Knowing what items are hazardous is only half the battle—proper disposal is equally important. In the Asheville area, you have several options for responsibly handling these materials:

Buncombe County operates a Hazardous Waste Management Facility that accepts household hazardous waste from residents. Henderson County offers periodic collection events throughout the year. For specific items like batteries and electronics, many retailers offer take-back programs. When in doubt about whether something can go in your rented dumpster, just give us a call—we’re always happy to provide guidance specific to your cleanup project.

Let Us Help with Your Safe Waste Disposal Needs

Ready to clean out your home but concerned about hazardous materials? We’re here to help! At All-In Dumpster Rentals, we work with our Asheville customers to ensure proper disposal of all waste types. We can advise you on what can safely go in our dumpsters and provide recommendations for items that require special handling.

Contact us today at 828-333-0998 for a free consultation on your waste management needs. We’ll help you determine the right dumpster size for your non-hazardous waste and guide you through the proper channels for any hazardous items you need to dispose of. Your convenience matters to us, but so does the health of our beautiful Western North Carolina environment!