Household Hazardous Waste Overview
Background
Household hazardous waste (HHW) collection reduces risk in our waste system. Keeping chemicals and hazardous materials separate from trash and managing them appropriately, reduces environmental, financial, property, and health risks.
The HHW program encourages residents to reduce the amount of HHW they produce and bring to one of the county’s collection sites. Community education and engagement, as well as convenient collection opportunities, have been important in this work.
Current HHW program
The household hazardous waste (HHW) program currently relies on private facilities and services for collection and management. The county contracts with Bay West, which owns and operates the current year-round HHW collection site located in Saint Paul.
Bay West also operates the county’s mobile collection events. Ramsey County residents bring HHW to the year-round facility or one of the mobile collection sites. Items accepted include:
- Paints, household cleaners, automobile fluids, pool chemicals, solvents, pesticides.
- Products containing mercury.
- Sharps (used/empty needles, syringes, lancets).
- Propane tanks, batteries, string lights and more.
Since it was established in 1991, the program has served over 650,000 participants and collected more than 33 million pounds of HHW. Site use is roughly split between the Bay West location and mobile sites.
What community told us
In 2020, Ramsey County wanted to find out why participation rates in household hazardous waste (HHW) programs had stopped growing. Staff took a residents-first approach with listening sessions and surveys to engage community. Residents told us they want more comprehensive and accessible HHW services.
What we learned:
- The need for HHW services is growing. HHW is still being put in the trash, poured down drains or released into the environment.
- More electronic waste (e-waste) is being generated and thrown away. An e-waste service should be convenient and effective.
- Residents find the current HHW service frustrating and inconvenient.
- There is a gap in HHW program service for some residents, particularly Ramsey County's diverse racial, ethnic and cultural communities, elderly residents and those without transportation.
- Residents want an option that is easier, more convenient and low-cost or free. This includes household pickup service and a permanent drop-off location with more operating hours.
- Awareness of the program and services could be improved.
HHW improvements
In response to community feedback, the county is developing a new HHW system. Our goal is to meet community expectations and needs with a focus on equity and economic inclusion.
Improvements already started or planned include:
- A new, free electronics recycling program in partnership with Repowered.
- A county-owned Environmental Service Center.
- A pickup program.
Frequently asked questions
General
Why are environmental health services being redesigned?
The redesign will increase accessibility and better meet the needs of our community. Ramsey County plans to provide a "one-stop shop" for residents to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle.
We want our programs to be as accessible as possible, so we need to rethink our approach. While the current system works for many people, it still has barriers to participation. One common barrier is a lack of transportation. The redesign focuses on equity by reducing barriers.
What services are being redesigned?
Ramsey County is redesigning and relocating its year-round household hazardous waste collection site. A planned new Environmental Service Center will be county-owned. The center will be a place where residents can drop off recycling, electronic waste, household hazardous waste and food scraps.
This site will be open year-round. It will have space for reuse and repair programs and community education. The county will explore plans for a pickup program for residents who are unable to bring household hazardous waste and electronic waste to the collection site. A permanent satellite collection site may be added.
Will there be service interruptions during the transition to redesigned services?
The goal is for no service interruptions of household hazardous waste collection as Ramsey County transitions to the redesigned program.
Why is it important to manage household hazardous waste?
Household hazardous waste can catch fire, explode, be corrosive or toxic. If not managed properly, it is a health and safety risk to people and animals and can contaminate our land and water.
Electronic waste
What items are considered electronic waste?
Electronic waste (e-waste) are items that are nearing or at the end of their usable life and need to be disposed or recycled. It is one of the fastest growing types of waste, and includes televisions, computers, computer display monitors, computer accessories, VCR’s and tablets.
Where can I currently recycle electronics?
Ramsey County contracts with Repowered to allow residents to drop off electronic items at its Saint Paul location for free. Ramsey County also collects cell phones and tablets at HHW collection locations for free. The proposed Environmental Service Center is envisioned as an electronics recycling collection site.
Are there electronic items that are not collected?
Microwaves and other small and large appliances are not accepted. See items not accepted.
If I have items you don’t accept, where can I bring them?
Use our A-to-Z guide to learn what to do with other items. You can also call 651-633-EASY (3279), answered 24/7 (interpretive services available).
What happens to the electronic waste you collect?
Electronic waste is separated into usable and non-usable items. All data from electronics is destroyed physically or electronically wiped by Repowered. Usable computer hardware is refurbished for reuse, and non-usable equipment will be processed for recycling.