The primary purpose of the City of Odessa’s Household Hazardous Waste Program is to educate the public on the safe and proper handling and disposal of their retail household waste products that are considered hazardous if discarded in regular trash.

Definition

Household hazardous wastes are products that contain dangerous chemicals that are ignitable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive. The hazardous chemical ingredients in these household materials should be handled and stored carefully.

Look for these symbols on your household products:

Disposal

The Odessa Household Hazardous Waste Department is here to assist you with the disposal of residential hazardous waste; dangerous commercial waste must comply with Texas and federal Hazardous waste regulations (Please visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website for more information). Removing unused household hazardous products down the drain, ground, or sewage system negatively impacts and threatens our drinking water and ecosystem. As residents of Odessa, we are responsible for properly disposing of our hazardous waste to protect our groundwater, soil, vegetation, and wildlife. Improper disposal exposes our community to chemicals such as lead, mercury, acid, etc. 

• Acids and Bases (pool chemicals, toilet bowl cleaners) are corrosive and will harm your skin, respiratory system, and eyes.
• Lead and mercury (thermometer, thermostat) are highly toxic and will have adverse effects if inhaled or ingested; take proper precautions when handling a product that contains these chemicals.
• Propylene Glycol is found in antifreeze and is highly toxic when misused. 

Suppose you have a high quantity of hazardous waste that is not accepted by the city. In that case, you can always call the HHW center to inquire about which organizations can assist you or visit http://www.earth911.com/ to find vendors that can help you properly dispose of your waste.

Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Many home products contain hazardous chemicals that can threaten the environment and our health. Take precautions while handling it, keep it away from children, and find the proper disposal method.