Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is waste material generated in our homes that pose a risk to health, safety or the environment when managed in the municipal waste management system.

HHW is:

Flammable or combustible products like paint and solvents, reactive products such as pool chemicals, corrosive products like cleaners, toxic products like pesticides, products with heavy metals in them and pharmaceutical products.

Why is HHW a problem?

Studies show that households in Manitoba threw 1,979 tonnes of HHW into landfill sites in 1998. These products are perfectly safe to use in our houses and fill important needs, however our waste disposal system is not designed to accommodate the higher level of risks associated with their disposal. Manitoba Conservation spent $435,000 supporting collection events throughout the province in the year 2000, however demand for the service is much higher than our budget will support. Several groups, such as the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Regional Waste Management Task Force and environmental groups, along with many citizens have asked for a larger program with improved services.

What can I do with my HHW now?

What does Manitoba Conservation want to do about HHW? Manitoba Conservation has released for public discussion a draft regulation under the Waste Reduction and Prevention Act. Under the proposed Regulation, companies that sell products designated as contributing to the Household Hazardous Waste stream will be given 3 months to develop plans for an alternative waste management program to keep these wastes out of our environment.