Household Hazardous Waste

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recognizes Household Hazardous Waste as, "products that we purchase and use every day in our home that contain materials that can harm us or the environment. Common household products that are a HHW when discarded include fluorescent light bulbs, cleansers, electronics, medications, needles, pesticides, paints and stains. Look for words such as 'warning,' 'caution,' 'flammable,' 'toxic,' 'poison,' etc. on the labels. Many of these products may be partially used, then stored in your homes, basement or garage. The best option is to use all the products you buy.  However, if you have left over materials like this, it is best to take them to a local HHW collection instead of sending them to a landfill, if HHW collections are available. This will help protect both your family and the environment" (MDEQ).

Muskegon County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program 
Muskegon County Department of Public Works offers a free disposal program to Muskegon County residents for unwanted Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) generated in county. Please note that Commercial and Industrial waste is prohibited. The goal of the HHW program is to divert hazardous materials from the landfill in order to protect residents and the environment. Should you possess any of the following materials, the HHW program will dispose of them in a safe and responsible manner.

• Mercury or mercury containing devices (i.e. Compact Florescent Light bulbs, mercury thermometers or thermostats, etc.)
• Petroleum products*
• Automotive Fluids
• Antifreeze
• Pesticides
• Insecticides
• Herbicides
• Aerosol cans (containing hazardous materials)
• Acids (i.e. Batteries, Muriatic Acid)**
• Bases (i.e. Drain cleaner)
• Alkaline and Rechargeable(Li-Ion, Ni-Cad, etc) batteries. No Lead Acid (Car) batteries are accepted**
• Other products with approval

* Recycling Used Oil is preferred over disposal as HHW. Used oil can be recycled, free of charge, at any AutoZone location among other outlets. Click here for a complete list of Used Oil recycling options in Muskegon County.

**LEAD ACID BATTERIES (i.e. car/boat batteries) are NOT accepted.

NOTE: Latex Paint is not accepted. The best way to dispose of paint is to use it up or recycle it! If you’re purchasing paint for a project, consider the area you have to cover and use a paint calculator to ensure you’re not buying too much.

If you have leftover (never-frozen) latex paint that you wish to recycle, you can bring it to the Muskegon County Habitat for Humanity ReStore Locations or to Port City Paints/RepcoLite Paints, Inc.

As a last resort, if you cannot find a use/recycling outlet for old leftover latex paint, it may be disposed of with your household trash as long as it is dried or solidified by adding kitty litter, (or other drying media) and leaving it open to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from children and animals. 

Regular Collection Hours: 

The second and fourth Friday each month, May – October
1:00 – 3:00 PM

Late fall and winter collection is by appointment only. Appointments are made only for those who are not able to wait for a normal collection day.

Muskegon County HHW Regular Collection Location:

Household Hazardous Waste Site
(Rear Lot of Pound Buddies)
1300 Keating
Muskegon, MI

Contact: If you have questions regarding materials that you’d like to dispose of, please contact Greg Leverence at Muskegon County Solid Waste at 231-724-6003.