What to Do with Items Not Accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Events

Ammunition

• Contact the Loudoun County Fire Marshal for information about disposing of ammunition.

Asbestos

• Should only be removed and disposed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Learn what to do about asbestos.
• Residents Only: Certain types of non-friable asbestos (roofing shingles and floor tiles only; no siding) may be brought in limited quantity to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Automotive Batteries / Lead-Acid Batteries

• May be taken to the Loudoun County landfill recycling center and placed on the pallets for recycling (no charge).

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• May be disposed of in regular household trash.
• Contact manufacturer for any take-back programs.

Commercial Waste

• Waste originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Cooking Oil

• May be disposed of in regular household trash.

Drywall Mud / Joint Compound / Mastic

• Check with your curbside waste service provider, or may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Electronics

• Visit our Local Electronic Recycling Options page for recycling options.

Explosives

• Contact the Loudoun County Fire Marshal for more information about disposing of explosives.

Fireworks

• Contact the Loudoun County Fire Marshal for more information ab out disposing of fireworks.

Helium Tanks

• Empty helium tanks may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee and placed in the scrap metal pile for recycling.
• To ensure tanks are empty, remove tab on top of tank.

Household Trash

• Waste originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Industrial Waste

• Waste originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Latex Paint

• Latex paint is not hazardous waste. Latex and water-based paint originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee. No preparation needed, such as drying or thickening.

Medical Waste

• Residential medical waste originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.
• Medical waste produced outside of residential usage is not accepted at the Loudoun County landfill.
  • Contact a regulated medical waste contractor for disposal.

Oil-Filled Space Heaters

• May be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.

Propane Tanks

• May be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for recycling for a fee (surcharge applies).
• The landfill accepts empty and filled standard gas grill-sized propane tanks as well as smaller tanks commonly used for camping stoves and propane torches. 
• If the tank is not damaged and contains fuel, consider giving it to someone who can use it. 
• Check with point of purchase for return/disposal options.

Radioactive Materials

• These materials must be handled with extreme care.
• Search hazardous waste / radioactive material disposal online for qualified disposal companies.

Sharps, Syringes & Hypodermic Needles

• Residential medical waste, including sharps, syringes, and hypodermic needles, originating in Loudoun County may be brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.
  • Place items in sharps container or rigid plastic bottle. If a rigid plastic bottle is used, please tape the top and mark it "Do Not Recycle."
  • Bringing it to the landfill reduces risk of container being crushed inside commercial trash trucks.
• Check online for mail-back sharp container programs.
• Medical waste produced outside of residential usage is not accepted at the Loudoun County landfill.
  • Contact a regulated medical waste contractor for disposal

Shock Sensitive Materials

• These materials must be handled with extreme care.
• Search hazardous waste / shock-sensitive material disposal online for qualified disposal companies.

Smoke Detectors

• May be disposed of in regular household trash.
• Contact manufacturer or visit our A to Z Local Recycling Resources (PDF)

Unknown Materials

• Items without identification need to be tested for proper disposal.
• Hazardous waste companies can typically do this on-site during HHW events.
  • However, this does not guarantee that item will be able to be taken at HHW events.
  • If you have an unknown material that you suspect to be hazardous, please contact us via email prior to the event.

Unused Medications

• May be thrown away in regular trash or brought to the Loudoun County landfill for disposal for a fee.
  • Mix medicines with unpalatable material, i.e., coffee grounds or kitty litter in sealed plastic bag.
  • For more information on the safe disposal of medicines, visit FDA: Safe Disposal of Medicines.
• Take medications to a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. For information on events in Loudoun, visit Proper Disposal of Unused Medications.