Did you know that just one quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water?

Hazardous materials such as paints and stains, cleansers and polishes, motor oil and antifreeze, and pesticides and herbicides, to name only a few exist in our homes and garages and must be disposed of carefully. Typically, these products have the words “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution” on the label so use caution and dispose of them responsibly. After all, we have only one environment to protect from these potentially dangerous chemicals.

Dangerous reactions are possible when hazardous materials are combined, so never mix used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, solvents or other potentially hazardous liquids together. RSWA urges everyone to protect the environment and never pour these items onto the ground or down a storm drain. Bring them to RSWA for proper waste management. Hazardous material should also be segregated from your daily solid waste stream and stored safely pending proper disposal.

RSWA operates a limited household hazardous waste collection site at the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) location. Residents of the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County can bring the following items to the RSWA Ivy site, Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm, and Saturday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

Antifreeze

Motor Oil

Note: Please bring containers that you are able to handle and pour into our collection tote. Do not leave containers.

Each year the RSWA holds a larger scale household hazardous waste collection day. On this day, RSWA accepts additional hazardous substances and ensures that they are properly categorized and directed to a permitted offsite hazardous substance management location. The materials accepted on this day include:

Acids

Adhesives

Antifreeze

Batteries

CFLs

Floor and furniture polish

Fluorescent tubes

Gasoline

Household cleaners

Kerosene

Motor oil

Paint and paint-related products and solvents

Pesticides

Click here for a list of typical Household Hazardous Waste Items

We do not accept at any time:

Radioactive waste

Medical waste

Explosives

Ammunition

Note: Due to traffic and staffing during our Fall and Spring Household Hazardous Waste Days, patrons with paint only will be routed through the Household Hazardous Waste lanes.