Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes any leftover residential products that are corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous. Because these materials pose severe fire and chemical risks to our building systems and sanitation workers, they must never be thrown down the garbage chute, placed in recycling bins, or poured down any drains. [1, 2]
🛑 What It Includes
Check your labels for standard warning symbols. Common examples of household hazardous waste include: [1, 2]
- Batteries: Lithium-ion packs (from e-bikes or laptops), standard household cells, and car batteries.
- Lighting: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, and mercury thermometers.
- Paints & Solvents: Latex paint, oil-based paint, spray cans, varnishes, wood stains, and paint thinners.
- Chemicals & Cleaners: Household bleach, drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- Automotive Fluids: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, fuel (gasoline/diesel), and windshield washer fluid.
- Pressurized Tanks: Propane barbeque cylinders, mini camping canisters, and helium tanks.
- Medical Sharps: Syringes and lancets (which must always be stored in a hard, puncture-proof container). [, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
📦 Safe On-Site Storage Rules
Before taking items to a final disposal drop-off point, handle them carefully inside your suite:
- Keep products sealed tightly in their original labeled containers whenever possible.
- Never mix different chemicals or leftover paint cans together.
- Cover the positive (+) terminals of batteries with clear packing or electrical tape to prevent sparks and fires. [, 2, 3, 4]
📍 How to Safely Dispose of It in Toronto
Residents have three options for free, responsible disposal according to the City of Toronto Household Hazardous Waste Guide: [, 2, 3]
- On-Site Collection (Small Items Only): For daily convenience, a dedicated small e-waste and household battery bin is located on the P1 parking level next to the property management office.
- City Drop-Off Depots: You can drive larger loads (up to 50 kg or 50 L per day) directly to any official City of Toronto Drop-Off Depot for free drop-off. The closest stations accepting HHW include the Commissioners Street Depot and the Bermondsey Depot. [, 2, 4]
- Toxic Taxi Pickup: If you have between 10 and 50 litres/kilograms of hazardous material and do not have a vehicle, you can request a free home pickup via the city's Toxic Taxi service by dialing 311 or submitting a request online. [, 2]