Common household items such as cleaners, batteries, oils, paints, and pesticides contain hazardous components. One way to help determine if your household waste has hazardous components is to read the labels on products. Labels that read danger, warning, caution, toxic, corrosive, flammable, or poison identify products that might contain hazardous materials. Leftover portions of these products are called household hazardous waste (HHW). These products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment.

Although we cannot completely stop using hazardous products, we can make sure that leftovers are managed properly. The best way to handle HHW is to reduce the amount initially generated by giving leftover products to someone else to use. To deal with household hazardous waste, Nechako Bottle Depot on 1st Avenue ((250)-562-3871) will collect the materials (must be in the original containers with labels) to prevent HHW from being disposed of in our Foothills Boulvard Landfill. This program ensures the safe disposal of HHW in facilities designed to treat or dispose of hazardous waste.

List of Common HHW Products
Alternatives Cleaners for the Home

The Product Care Association, a non-profit organization representing brand owners of products classified as household hazardous waste, operates a drop-depot in Prince George for the return of unused paints, solvents, flammable liquids, pesticides and gasoline. The program is managed by industry and is funded by eco-fees charged to consumers on target products. The eco-fee is not a tax. Rather, the consumer charge is collected by retailers and remitted to the PCA to fund its collection, recycling and disposal program.

Disposing of household hazardous products properly (not landfilling, dumping down storm drains or disposing in sewer systems) reduces the impact that these products may otherwise have on groundwater, surface water and fish and wildlife resources.

For more information on PCA 1-800-667-4321 (B.C. wide)
Or call the Nechako Bottle Depot - 1922 First Avenue, Prince George - 562-3871

Paint Return Depot Locations:

Prince George - Nechako Bottle Depot - 1922 First Ave. - 562-3871

Mackenzie - No depot at this time.

Valemount - Rex Recycling - 1110 Main St. - 566-9111

McBride - No depot at this time.