If you're cleaning up your home or garage before winter comes, you might find old or unused chemicals that you want to get rid of. Please don't throw these chemicals into your recycling or garbage bin or pour them down the drain.
Things like used oil or household cleaners can cause lasting damage to the environment if they enter the landfill or sewer system. Instead, bring your household hazardous waste to your nearest 4R Depot for free to dispose of it safely.
Household hazardous waste can be products like:
- cleaners
- bleach
- paint
- used oil
- gasoline
- anti-freeze
Before you bring a product to a 4R Depot, please make sure that it is still in its original container with the label attached. Our depot operators need to know what they're handling so that they can dispose of it safely.
Household hazardous waste is not collected via curbside pickup. If your recycling or garbage contains it, we consider that load to be contaminated. Our collectors may not pick it up, and you will need to dispose of the materials yourself.
"It is so important to learn what is acceptable in all the waste diversion programs in Winnipeg so that we can reduce contamination and provide a safe and efficient way for these products to be managed," said Mark Kinsley, Superintendent of Waste Diversion with Water & Waste.
If you aren't sure if the item you want to get rid of is considered hazardous, check Recyclepedia. It can tell you how to safely dispose of many common household items and liquids.
You can also check the Manitoba Conservation and Climate "Waste Wise" tool for other places to drop it off.