Household Hazardous Waste Program
Household hazardous waste is leftover household products that are flammable, corrosive, reactive or poisonous. It also includes some liquid products that should not be disposed of in the garbage or down the drain.
As part of the Household Hazardous Waste Program, residents can drop off their hazardous waste at RDN solid waste facilities, for a fee. All Regional District of Nanaimo residents may participate in this program. If you have a significant amount of hazardous waste, you may also use a commercial waste hauling service to bring your waste to a disposal facility.
The Regional District of Nanaimo does not accept hazardous waste from industrial, business or institutional sources. These wastes must be managed by a private hazardous waste management company. Hazardous waste that is collected through B.C.'s Provincial HHW recycling programs is also not accepted.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
You will need an appointment to drop-off household hazardous waste. To book an appointment, email HHW@rdn.bc.ca and provide the following information:
- The name of the products you wish to dispose of (please review the list of accepted and prohibited materials)
- Photos of the products you wish to dispose
- Your name and contact information, including your phone number.
- Where you would like to drop your materials off at:
- Church Road Transfer Station - 830 Church Rd., Parksville, BC
- Regional Landfill - 1105 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo, BC
After we receive your email with all the requested information, we will schedule your appointments and issue you a drop code. You will display this code for facility staff when you arrive. Please allow one week to process your request. Please note: Unscheduled drop offs will be rejected.
Program Fees
The cost to drop-off waste depends on the weight of the load. There may be additional surcharges for items that are more costly to dispose of.
| Type of Waste | Cost |
| Household Hazardous Waste (up to 25 kg) | $10 |
| Household Hazardous Waste (over 25 kg) | $0.30/kg |
| Surcharge for Special Household Hazardous Waste (including highly toxic materials that e need special handling) | $20 |
| Surcharge per pressurized cylinder, non-refillable | $10 |
| Surcharge per pressurized cylinder, refillable | $50 |
| Surcharge for loads of household hazardous waste with unidentifiable / unknown items | $5 |
These program fees help offset the cost of hazardous waste disposal. Hazardous waste can be very expensive to dispose of properly because:
- It must be handled and transported by certified and highly trained workers
- It is shipped to the mainland where the contents of every container is consolidated by it's product type, before being taken to facilities in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan for treatment, recycling or disposal.
Preparing Your Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is hazardous. You should handle it in a safe and responsible way when storing and transporting it for drop off.
Safe Storage of Household Hazardous Waste
- Store products in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area that is securely out of reach of children and pets.
- Store products away from sources of heat, direct sunlight or flames.
- Keep containers upright and ensure their lids are tightly sealed to prevents leaks.
- Keep strongly reactive products separated. Keep bleach separate from ammonia-containing products and acidic products, such as vinegar or toilet bowl cleaner. These products can create toxic fumes when combined.
- Store products in their original containers whenever possible. Only transfer products to containers specifically designed for storing chemicals.
- Clearly label all containers with the name of the product.
Safe Transportation of Household Hazardous Waste
- Wear disposable nitrile or latex gloves when handling hazardous products, especially corrosive materials such as muriatic (hydrochloric) acid.
- Ensure containers are tightly sealed and in good condition. Avoid transferring products to food containers or plastic bags.
- Label any container with the name of the product it contains. If the contents are not known, label the container with the word "UNKNOWN".
- Place containers in a rigid, leak-proof container, like a plastic tote. This will contain potential leaks and spills that happen during transit. Note: Transporting loose items or placing them in a bag increases the likelihood of spills during transport and off-loading.
- Secure containers to prevent them from shifting or falling over in the vehicle.
- Separate incompatible materials such as bleach and corrosive products.
- Store containers in the trunk or a well-ventilated cargo area. Avoid placing containers in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- When driving, avoid sudden stops, sharp turns and rough driving that could cause containers to tip over or leak.
- Transport the HHW directly to the drop-off facility. Do not leave HHW unattended or store it in the vehicle for longer than necessary.
- When you arrive on site, follow the instruction provided by RDN facility staff for proper waste disposal.
About Household Hazardous Waste
Improper disposal of household hazardous waste at home can pose a safety risk to you and your family. Many household products contain poisonous ingredients that can sicken or kill living things. They often contain chemicals that can react with organic matter and other household products to cause burns or emit hazardous vapours and byproducts.
Improperly disposed household hazardous waste can also cause damage to infrastructure, equipment, and the environment. Household hazardous waste flushed down a drain can damage pipes and sewage pumping and processing equipment. It can kill off the beneficial microorganisms that breakdown human waste in wastewater treatment plants and foul filtration systems. In the same way that household hazardous waste can harm you in your home, it can harm RDN staff and contractors working on wastewater transmission and treatment systems. Lastly, household hazardous waste chemicals in your wastewater can ultimately end up in the ocean, where they harm marine health.
Throwing household hazardous waste in your garbage can damage collection trucks, processing equipment, and landfill pollution control systems. Spilled materials can cause fires, release toxic vapours, and present contact hazards for RDN staff and contractors who transport and process your garbage.
You can reduce your household hazardous waste output by:
- Looking into non-toxic alternatives to common products like cleaners or pesticides
- Only buying as much of a hazardous product as you need
- Donating unused products to non-profit organizations or offering them to a friend or neighbour
Additional Resources