Town: Think Before You Dump That Household Cleaner in the Trash

It may seem like a perfectly innocent thing - you bought some floor cleaner you thought you'd like, and didn't, or there's just a little bit left in the bottle and you want to toss it.

But, the Town of Herndon's Department of Public Works (DPW) says, please don't - it's dangerous. You could be threatening the life of a sanitation worker or even the local wildlife by doing so.

The DPW is currently working to help educate local residents about properly disposing of household and hazardous waste products, including adding a page on the town’s website with information.

“Sanitation workers can be injured from toxins, corrosive materials or ignitable materials improperly mixed with regular solid waste,” Herndon Public Works Director Robert B. Boxer said in a statement. “Additionally, improper dumping of these materials on the ground or in waterways can threaten wildlife.”

Residential hazardous materials are found in many homes. These materials include household cleaners, yard care products, paints and paint thinners, and rodent poisons. Leftover or unwanted hazardous materials that are no longer used become household hazardous waste, which can pose a threat to the environment or to your health if improperly disposed of. 

According to the DPW, the safest way for Town of Herndon residents to dispose of household hazardous waste is to carefully pack them up and transport them to Fairfax County's HHW Site at the I-66 Transfer Station Complex, 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax.

Operation hours are:
Thursday - Friday:  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday:  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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