Acceptable Materials at MCMUA Household Hazardous Waste Programs

• There are no maximum amounts of household hazardous waste that Morris County residents may bring per visit, except no more than 55 gallons of used motor oil and no more than 100 lbs of asbestos per person. Note: no one may drop off 100 lbs of asbestos multiple times as a means to dispose of more than 100 lbs of asbestos as part of the MCMUA's hazardous waste program.
• Materials will not be accepted in containers larger than five gallons in size.
• All materials must be in clearly marked containers with the contents identified.
   

Common examples of acceptable materials include the following:

• adhesives
• aerosol cans
• asbestos in small quantities, must be under 100 lbs., wet down, double-bagged, sealed with duct tape, and sized to fit into 55-gallon drums
• automotive cleaning products
• automotive fluids such as oil, antifreeze and brake, diesel, transmission and steering fluids, etc.
• automotive used oil filters
• batteries for car, boat, motorcycles and/or ATVs (lead-acid)
• batteries, if they are rechargeable (NiCd, NiMH, Lithium-Ion) and/or hazardous dry-cell batteries (button-cell and lithium). Alkaline batteries are not hazardous and are not accepted (put them into the garbage).
• caulks
• caustic cleaning materials
• cooking oils (vegetable, peanut oil, etc. can be new or used)
• corrosive liquids and solids
• driveway sealant and roofing tar if they contain coal tar or petroleum distillates
• fire extinguishers
  
• flammeable liquids (lighter fluid, diesel fuel)
  
• fluorescent light bulbs and CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) that contain mercury
• gasoline/diesel gas (must be transported in a certified gas can)
• household hazardous cleaning products - must be considered hazardous but note, most are not hazardous.
• kerosene
• muriatic acid
• nail polish and nail polish remover (acetone)
• oil-based paints and varnishes, stains, lacquers (liquid or solidified)
• pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers (bug sprays, bug killers, home defense and repellents)
• photography and printing chemicals (fixers, toners and inks)
• pool chemicals and chlorine
• propane cylinders (BBQ-sized propane cylinders cost $5/cyl. at the permanent HHW facility and there is no charge for camping stove-sized propane cylinders)
• solvents and paint thinners
• thermometers and thermostats containing mercury

Unacceptable Materials at MCMUA Household Hazardous Waste Programs

The following materials are unacceptable at HHW programs:

• Explosives or highly reactive materials since these may be dangerous! Always call first for safety instructions. DO NOT bring these materials without prior authorization! These dangerous items include, but are not limited to the following:
  • ammunition
  • benzoyl peroxide
  • bromine
  • calcium carbide
  • "Dangerous When Wet" materials e.g. sodium metal
  • ethyl ether
  • fireworks
  • isopropyl ether
  • perchloric acid
  • Pentachlorophenol (from older cans of Woodlife)
  • picric acid
• Materials in containers larger than five (5) gallons in size
• Materials in unlabeled containers and/or containers with unknown contents
• E-waste and/or used consumer electronic waste is not accepted at one-day hazardous waste disposal events.
• Dried, hard, solid latex paint or empty paint cans; these are accepted for disposal at the transfer stations with other non-hazardous solid waste. Residents should remove the lids from these dried-out cans and dispose of both types into their household garbage.
• Latex or water-based paints are not hazardous and are not accepted at MCMUA hazardous waste disposal programs. Latex paint may be safely disposed of in the garbage when it is dried out. Dry out latex paint cans by stirring absorbent material such as cat litter into the paint. The paint will harden within a few minutes. Leave the lid off the can, put the lid and the can into the regular garbage. A hazardous waste handling fee of $2.00 per pound is charged for latex paint. Latex paint will not be accepted whatsoever during one-day hazardous waste disposal events.
• Appliances such as microwave ovens, washers, dryers; freon-containing appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, humidifiers
• Biologic agents
• Compressed gas cylinders (oxygen, acetylene)
• Rock Salt
• Construction materials such as wood, brick, treated lumber, asphalt, or concrete
• Radioactive materials or X-ray machines (ionizing)
• Regulated medical waste, including pharmaceuticals, syringes, sharps and needles
• Smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors
• Tires