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How to Get Rid of Stuff You Don't Want or NeedRecommended methods for disposing of residential and household wasteCheck this chart for information about things that should go down toilets, sinks and other household drains; things that should go in household garbage; and things that should be disposed of or recycled in other safe, simple and healthy ways. Improper disposal of things in toilets, sinks and household drains may clog sewer lines; harm public health, water quality and the environment; increase the cost of wastewater treatment; damage wastewater treatment equipment; or harm treatment plant workers. You'll also conserve water by not using your toilet as as a trash can. Each unnecessary flush of trash uses at least three gallons of water that could be saved for better uses. This information was developed in consultation with representatives of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Solid Waste Division, King County Water and Land Resources Division, Public Health -- Seattle and King County, and Local Household Hazardous Waste Management Program.
The chart below refers to these information sources and collection
sites: This chart is also available as Adobe Acrobat document (PDF, 76KB). |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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Animals and
pets Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Animal Waste (Dead Animals) |
No |
OK for dead animals less than 15 pounds (mice, hamsters, small lizards, birds, etc.) |
Veterinary clinic Animal shelter Pet cemetery Bury on own property. |
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Recycling preferred for this hazardous waste. |
No |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site for recycling. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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No |
Yes. Be sure they are completely out and cold. |
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Automotive
products (brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, engine
degreaser, gasoline, transmission fluid) |
No |
No |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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Band-Aids, bandages (and other nonbiodegradable plastics) |
No |
Yes |
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No |
Yes; bag to control dust |
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Cements and glues, petroleum based (contact cement, epoxy, general purpose glue, instant glues, model cement, rubber cement, rubber cement thinner) |
No |
Acceptable for residential customers in King County, but using a household hazardous waste collection site is preferred. Not acceptable in Seattle |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site. Consider safer alternatives for contact cement, general-purpose glue and rubber cement. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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Chemicals, chemical products (not otherwise covered in this chart) |
No |
No |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site. May be advertised in the Industrial Materials Exchange Catalog; call 206-296-4899 For businesses, call Business Waste Line. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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No |
Yes, but put it out first. |
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Cleaning product
wipes and pads (for baby bottoms or other uses) |
No. Use caution with cleaning pads designated as "flushable." They may clog some home sewer lines and side sewers. If in doubt, dispose of in the garbage. |
Yes |
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OK when connected to a sewerage system. No when connected to a septic tank |
Yes |
Use in compost or as soil amendment. Use in a worm bin. |
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No. |
Yes |
Consider using reusable silverware instead. |
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No |
Yes |
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No |
Yes |
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No |
Yes |
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Removed fecal material only |
Acceptable if loose fecal material is removed or if item is wrapped in a closed, leakproof container. |
Consider use of reusable diapers or a diaper service. |
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No |
Acceptable, but leave in original container; put container in sealed heavy-duty "zip-lock" bag; conceal that bag in a second plastic bag to prevent being found. To discourage unintended use, consider dissolving tablets or capsules in container with small amount of water. And consider adding sawdust, kitty litter or flour to liquid medications. |
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No. |
Yes |
Compost in worm bins. |
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Excess household
water |
Yes, but conserve water to reduce household costs, preserve a valuable resource, and limit need to expand wastewater treatment facilities |
No |
Conserve water: Fix toilet leaks; use low-flow toilet, showerheads, faucet aerators and washing machines; wash complete loads of dishes and clothes; take (shorter) showers, not baths; turn off faucet while brushing teeth. |
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Yes |
Yes |
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Fats, oils and grease (from food products) Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Food (Fats, Oils and Grease) |
No |
No free liquids Let solidify. Mix cooking oil with an absorbent such as kitty litter or dirt to make the oil solid before disposing of it in the garbage. Dispose of large amounts on several collection days. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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Feminine hygiene products (tampons, tampon applicators, menstrual pads) |
No |
Yes |
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No |
No. Empty containers OK. |
Use up according to label directions. Consider using slow-release organic fertilizers and compost. Limit use of phosphorus on established lawns. See Pesticides (outdoor) for weed-and-feed products. |
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Fingernails, toenails |
OK, but the garbage can is preferred. |
Yes |
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Food products,
waste Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Food (Food Waste) |
Yes for liquid food waste, except fats, oils and grease. Normal discharge of solid household food waste through a garbage disposal is acceptable. Follow directions in disposal manual for proper use. |
Yes for residential waste For commercial waste, volumes less than one cubic foot solids or 5 gallons liquid accepted at transfer stations Large volumes of commercial waste accepted at only Cedar Hills with Waste Clearance Decision. For more information, 206-296-4633 and wc@kingcounty.gov. |
Donate edible, packaged products to service providers such as Food Lifeline and Northwest Harvest. Except for meat, fish, poultry, cheese, oily foods, butter, other animal products … Use in compost. Bury food waste in garden. |
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No |
Yes |
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No long hair or large amounts. Incidental shavings OK. |
Yes |
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Hobby chemicals (artists paints, chemistry sets, photographic materials) |
No artists paints, chemistry set items, and photo fixer. Used photo stop bath neutralized with used photo developer (not containing fixer) OK in sinks and toilets connected to sewer systems. |
No in the City of Seattle Acceptable for residential customers in King County, but using a household hazardous waste collection site is preferred. |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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Household cleaners (all-purpose, antibacterial products and disinfectants, ammonia, chlorine bleach, drain opener, toilet bowl cleaner) Also see other Household cleaners below. Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Cleaning Products |
Dispose of small amounts by pouring down drain with lots of water. |
Acceptable for residential customers in King County, but using a household hazardous waste collection site is preferred. Not acceptable in Seattle |
Use up according to label directions. Offer to others who can use them. Take to household hazardous waste collection site. Consider using safer alternatives. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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Household cleaners (furniture polish, metal cleaner, oven cleaner, rust remover, spot and stain remover) Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Cleaning Products |
No |
No flammable liquids. Acceptable for residential customers in King County, but using a household hazardous waste collection site is preferred. Not acceptable in Seattle |
Use up according to label directions. Offer to others who can use them. Take to household hazardous waste collection site. Consider using safer alternatives. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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Yes |
No loose feces (disposal diapers and incontinence products accepted if loose fecal material is removed or if item is wrapped in a closed, leakproof container.) |
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Hypodermic needles, syringes, "sharps" waste Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Medical Sharps |
No |
If the preferred methods listed at right are not available, use these safe disposal methods: In Seattle, sharps may not be place into the garbage in any type of container. Instead, put in labeled puncture-resistant container with tight fitting lid, and then take full containers to North or South transfer stations. King County Outside Seattle, Put needles and sharps in puncture-resistant container with tight fitting lid (like a 2-liter pop bottle). Place a biohazard label on the bottle. Biohazard labels are available at Health Department. Drop off and exchange sites. If you do not have a biohazard label, write on the bottle "SHARPS, DO NOT RECYLE" and put in garbage. Do not put red sharps containers into the garbage. They are made of a brittle plastic that will break and create a hazard to waste workers. |
Best choice: Buy a sharps container at a pharmacy. Ask if you can bring the filled sharps container back to the pharmacy for drop off. Disposal service offered by Long's, Bartell's and some other pharmacies. Ask your doctor if you can return used sharps in containers to his or her office or clinic. Contact your solid waste collection company. Ask if it is taking part in a sharps mail-back program. Drop off your container at a Public Health Clinic or one of the special 24-hour syringe drop boxes in Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Federal Way, Renton, Seattle and White Center. For specific locations, call the Health Department at 206-205-7837 or visit this Web site. Visit a Needle Exchange location to get a free sharps container or to drop off or exchange used sharps. For more information, call King County Solid Waste at 206-296-6542 and Seattle Public Utilities at 206- 684-7600 (press 0 for a customer service representative). |
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Liquids, miscellaneous (vactor waste, off-specification soft drinks, etc.) |
No large or commercial quantities |
Free liquids not accepted. No flammable liquids Household-size containers in amounts of one case or less in general waste stream Larger amounts may be disposed at Cedar Hills with a Waste Clearance Decision. For more information, 206-296-4633 and wc@kingcounty.gov. |
Call Full Container Recycling Co., 253-272-7726. |
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No. Monitor playful kids. |
Yes, but … |
Give away usable items. Increase youthful joy. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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Motor oil, other petroleum
products Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Vehicles (Motor Oil) |
No |
No |
Take waste oil to a service station, waste oil recycler or other waste-oil collection facility. Take small clean amounts to automotive retail stores that accept it, like Schucks. Take contaminated oil to a household hazardous waste collection site. In Seattle, take clean oil for recycling to the city's North or South Transfer Station. In King County, take clean oil to the waste collection locker in Factoria or to the Wastemobile. Call King County Solid Waste Division, 206-296-4466, for recycling information See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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No |
Yes |
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Paint and stains, oil-based (enamel, alkyl, epoxy) Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Paint |
No |
No |
Don't dry out these liquids before disposal. Take to household hazardous waste collection facility. Call the Hazards Line or see the hazardous waste Web site for collection sites. Businesses call the Business Waste Line. Consider using less-hazardous latex paints when possible. |
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Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Paint |
No |
Not accepted in liquid form Dry out small amounts (one gallon or less) before putting in garbage. Dry out by painting small amounts on newspaper, cardboard or other material--or pour into cardboard box with kitty litter. Remove lids before putting empty paint cans in the garbage. |
Use up or give away excess paint to friends, neighbors, community groups. For large amounts, call IMEX at 206-296-4899 for companies that collect household-generated paint. Call the Hazards Line to get free leftover latex paint and information on household hazardous waste collection facilities. Businesses call Business Waste Line. |
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Paint solvents and thinners, turpentine, varnish/ lacquer, wood preservatives Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Paint |
No |
No (empty containers are OK) |
Reuse paint thinner after letting solids settle out and removed. Take to household hazardous waste collection site. Consider using safer alternative products See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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No |
Yes |
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Personal care products (hair color, nail polish, nail polish remover) |
No |
No flammable liquids Acceptable for residential customers, but using a household hazardous waste facility is preferred. |
Take to household hazardous waste collection site. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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Pesticides, indoor (ant/roach killer, flea killers, flying insect killer, lice shampoo, mothballs, rat poison) Pesticides, outdoor (garden fungicides, insect killers, slug poison, weed killers, weed-and-feed, wood preservatives) Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Pesticides |
No |
Empty containers acceptable, but don't rinse or recycle |
Unless it's banned, use up according to label directions. Offer to others who can use them. Take to household hazardous waste collection site. Consider using safer alternative products and methods. See hazardous waste Web site or call the Hazards Line for more information. |
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Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Animal Waste (Animal Manure/ Excrement) More advice from Snohomish County: Dog waste is raw sewage -- Scoop the poop, bag it, and place it in the trash |
Yes for household pet waste, but no kitty litter |
Dispose of in public or residential garbage can, wrapped in a closed leak-proof bag or container. Waste cannot make up more than 10 percent of can volume. No pet waste from businesses |
Bury on own property -- in ornamental gardens, not vegetable gardens -- if it does not affect water or cause a nuisance. Composting cat or dog waste is not recommended. Take livestock waste and manure to a composting facility. Commercial kennels and other businesses should contact King County Industrial Waste Program, 206-263-3000. |
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No |
Dry out and dispose of in household garbage. Dry out household rags soaked with solvents, gasoline or oil-based paints in safe, ventilated area. |
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Rain, stormwater (roof drains, storm drains, etc.) |
No, especially for new connections See preferred alternative. |
No |
Where appropriate and allowed, disconnect residential roof drains, downspouts, yard drains and catch basins, then reroute to separate stormwater system--or allow water to soak into the ground using acceptable methods. Please check with your local wastewater utility for local guidelines. Consider using a rain barrel. |
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No |
Yes |
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Advice from King County Solid Waste -- Plastic (Packing Peanuts) |
No |
Yes for styrofoam and plastics |
Recycle cardboard and paper packaging. |
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The Thing Back to top |
Dispose of in your sink, toilet or other household drain |
Dispose of in your garbage |
Dispose of or recycle using this simple, safe and healthy method |
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This chart refers to these information sources and collection sites:
For Wastemobile and collection site schedules, check the Web site or the Hazards Line below. Collection sites do not accept containers larger than 5 gallons without approval by the site manager. Large quantities of household hazardous waste also need approval. Call the Hazards Line for more information.
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Department of Natural Resources and
Parks
Updated: May 18, 2008 |
Related Information: |
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King County
| Natural
Resources & Parks | Wastewater Treatment
Division
Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King
County. |
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For questions about the Wastewater
Treatment Division Web site, please send an