"EASY. It was really organized and easy to get done. I didn't know this program existed before and would continue to utilize it." - 2025

"'One-stop' shop.  Taking care of electronics, paints, chemicals, light bulbs in one location." - 2025

"It was very easy to sign up for and the people working there were nothing less than great to deal with." - 2025

"Motivates me to declutter." - 2025

"It’s beneficial to our community and natural environment. It provides a safe way to discard potentially toxic materials without causing ecological damage to our waters and lands" - 2025

"The ease, methodical & organized, great & nice people helping both at the site and on the phone.  Thank you!" - 2025

"I like that the communities offer a convenient opportunity to drop things we don't want in a regular landfill. And offering multiple dates gives residents the chance to save things up instead of just dumping them (electronics, paint, batteries - these accumulate faster than one would expect). I get that these events require staff/support, so the $15 charge does not seem prohibitive. PS the organization and the teams that empty your car are SO accommodating. One time I got the time wrong and showed up 2 minutes before it ended and they STILL were friendly, helpful, patient. It's really a great offering you have! Thank you!" - 2025

"The organization level of the drop off site.
And have to add another favorite - how genuinely helpful and nice the people working there are. Have NEVER seen a frown, or anyone not extremely nice!!" - 2025

"EASY! So simple and seamless (digitally and in-person) I couldn't believe it." - 2025

"Feeling better about disposing of expired chemicals and knowing I’m not just putting them into the drinking water. The program was well run and efficient and I really appreciated that." - 2025

"I refuse to dump chemicals into the environment and i am glad that i was able to safely remove all this waste out of my house. i have been holding on to it for 7 years now." - 2025

"The ability to get dispose of multiple types of hazardous waste at the same time, safely." - 2025

"Ease of process of registering and then dropping off HHW. The drop-off process runs like a well-oiled machine. Two thumbs up!" - 2025

"It’s a weight off my shoulders to get rid of toxic items." - 2025

"Keeping this waste out of landfills is #1 of course, but I also appreciate the efficiency and cheerfulness of the workers!" - 2025

"I feel like I have done something right to help take care of the earth." - 2025

"How easy it was from start to finish, the people working the event were very friendly, the event was well organized and I feel better knowing the items I no longer needed were properly disposed of." - 2025

"It's so important to keep this program going and to spread word about it.  I use the program every year and love that there is a place and program to recycle harmful materials.  I tell everyone I know about it!" - 2025

"This event is SO helpful to get rid of unusable or unneeded things that no one else will accept."  - 2024

"Feeling good about properly disposing/recycling of waste.  Also, the people are always friendly and helpful.  Please keep doing these events!"  - 2024

"Feeling good about properly disposing/recycling of waste.  Also, the people are always friendly and helpful.  Please keep doing these events!"  - 2024

"It is so well organized! This year was my second time attending, and I am so amazed how smooth the process is from beginning to end. A fantastic thing to offer for our community!"  - 2024

"Easy!   SUPER WELL ORGANIZED!!  I was so impressed.  It was actually a pleasant experience!!"   - 2024

"Knowing that people still care about our environment and are willing to take a few minutes out of their busy life to do the right thing which benefits all of us."  - 2024

"Keeps dangerous waste from polluting my local environment."  - 2024

"I get to shed the guilt of tossing this stuff in the waste stream."  - 2024

"Disposing of paint, motor oil and electronics. Also how well organized the program works and you don't even have to get out of your vehicle."  - 2024

"That it is a focus by the county to provide responsible recycling of many items that are difficult to dispose of. I like that it is a step in setting a tone for the kind of community I want to live in. "  - 2024

“I've attended a few NoHaz events in the past couple years at the Oakland County site and have been meaning to share my appreciation! I am always so impressed with how smoothly and efficiently the events run. It is so easy to participate and the volunteers/workers at the event are always incredibly nice and friendly. I really value and appreciate these events - thank you for hosting them!”
– Collection Event Attendee | April 30, 2022

“I took advantage of the NoHaz event today at 1200 N. Telegraph and just wanted to compliment the organizers and volunteers who made this event possible. Directions to the site were clearly marked on the road into the complex, my registration ticket was scanned, and I was directed to the collection site. My waste items were collected efficiently, and I was on my way within minutes. All the workers encountered were friendly too. This is a great service to our community, and I will definitely recommend it to my friends and neighbors.”
– Collection Event Attendee | April 30, 2022

“I’d just like to compliment the entire team that worked at today’s event! It was completely organized, and everyone was working hard and were just so friendly and engaging all the way through. This was my first event, and I will certainly be attending more in the future! Awesome job to all!!”
– Collection Event Attendee | June 4, 2022

“Kudos to all involved in the planning and execution of Saturday's collection event in Pontiac…I arrived at 7:40 and there were a lot of cars in lines from two directions. Much to my surprise and pleasure, the movement of the lines was very well coordinated, and they moved quickly. I exited the event at 7:53 – a total of 13 minutes – and I was headed to an appointment even before the event was scheduled to begin. Amazing!! My thanks to all involved.”
– Collection Event Attendee | April 30, 2022

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is the unwanted or unusable portion of consumer products that contain substances that can harm people or the environment. Unlike industrial hazardous wastes, household hazardous wastes are not regulated. Most households can identify at least a few products as hazardous. Household cleaners, paint, pesticides, batteries and prescription medicines are just a few. They have made our lives easier but they can also be toxic to our health and our environment when we use them and when we throw them away.

Any resident of a NoHaz Consortium member community can attend any collection event. Please note that your community is where you pay taxes, not necessarily what is on your driver’s license.

If your community does not participate in NoHaz, you may participate in the NoHaz collection events for a $135 charge per event. You may want to contact your city, village or township office to see if any other programs are available to you.

No commercial, contractor, business or institution waste will be accepted. All liquids must be in sealed containers 5 gallon size or smaller. Below is a detailed list of accepted materials:

Household

• Ammonia cleaners
• Air fresheners
• Artist paints
• Batteries – household and automotive –  lead, lithium, mercury, nickel cadmium, silver oxide
• Bleach
• Brass, copper and silver polish
• Chlorine cleaners
• Old holiday decorations: artificial snow, glass frosting, Christmas bubble lights
• Drain cleaner
• Nail polish and nail polish remover
• Mothballs
• Silica
• Shoe polish
• Stain removers
• Tub and tile cleaners
• Upholstery and carpet cleaner
• Water repellants

Automotive

• Antifreeze
• Automotive Batteries
• Brake fluid
• Carburetor cleaner
• Car polish and wax
• Engine degreasers
• Gasoline
• Motor Oil
• Oil filters
• Starter fluid
• Transmission fluid

Computer and Electronic Waste Items

*All computer items must be desk size or smaller

• Calculators 
• CD's
• CD players
• Calculators
• Computer monitors
• Computer peripherals (keyboards, speakers, zip drives, cables, mice, etc.)
• Copiers
• CPU's
• DVD's
• DVD players
• Fax machines
• Laptop computers
• Printers
• Radios
• Scanners
• Telecommunications equipment
• TVs (CRT tube and flat screen TVs accepted. No wood encased console TVs.)
• VCR's
• VHS tapes

Yard & Garden

• Copper based algaecides
• Fertilizer
• Fungicides
• Garden moss killer
• Insecticides
• Insect repellant
• Lye
• Muriatic acid
• Pesticides
• Pool chemicals
• Rodent killer

Home Improvement

• Adhesives
• Aerosol cans
• Asphalt/roofing tar
• Ballasts
• Cutting oil
• Driveway sealers
• Halogen bulbs
• Hand cleaners
• HID lamps
• Lacquers
• Lighter fluid
• Lubricating oils
• Mercury vapor lamps
• Metal polish
• Paint removers
• Paint thinners
• Paint -- oil based – do not dry out or add anything into the paint
• Paint – latex – do not dry out or add anything into the paint
• Silicones
• Soot remover, creosote destroyer
• Wood preservatives
• Wood stain
• Wood varnish

Miscellaneous

• Asbestos - Acceptable quantity is limited. Call 248-858-2071 to discuss prior to bringing asbestos to a NoHaz collection. There are two types of asbestos; friable and non-friable. Friable requires more handling precautions than non-friable but both are hazardous waste. This material can be a serious health threat if not handled properly. Bag, tape and label asbestos containing materials ACM. For professional handling and disposal options, search for "Asbestos Removal and Abatement Service".
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Expired medications -excluding controlled substances
• Fire extinguishers
• Flares
• Fluorescent lights
• Kerosene 
• Mercury – including thermometers and thermostats
• Needles/Syringes - must be brought in a rigid/puncture proof container (coffee can, detergent bottle, etc.)
• Photo chemicals
• Propane tanks - grill size or smaller
• Radon detectors
• Reactives
• Smoke detectors

• No Styrofoam
• No business, contractor, commercial or institution waste.
• No compressed gas cylinders other than BBQ size propane tanks or fire extinguishers – change BBQ to grill
• No construction and demolition waste
• No appliances (microwaves are acceptable)
• No medical waste (medical sharps and old medications are acceptable, however, controlled substances are not acceptable)
• No radioactive waste.
• No tires.
• No Explosives - Don't touch it! Call your local police department or fire department for advice on safe disposal of explosives.
• No Ammunition - Call your local police department or fire department on safe disposal of ammunition.
• No Firearms - Call your local police department for advice on proper disposal of unwanted firearms.
• No general recyclables (paper, plastic, etc.)
• No Freon containing items (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers)
• No compressed gas cylinders other than BBQ size propane tanks or fire extinguishers
• No Shingles
• No Skylighter Powder, used in fireworks
• No Wood
• No non-stick pans

• Pre-register and pay applicable fees at NoHaz.Eventbrite.com
  Registration opens approximately 3 weeks before a collection event
• Clearly separate your hazardous waste from other possessions in your vehicle, and split it into three types:
  
  1. Household Hazardous Waste (chemicals, motor oil, fertilizers, batteries, syringes, etc.) – unloaded first at collection events
  2. Paint – unloaded second at collection events
  3. Electronics – unloaded last at collection events
• If you want bins, boxes or gas cans back, tell workers BEFORE items are unloaded.
• Clearly separate items brought for disposal from other possessions in your car.
• Bring acceptable materials only; liquids must be in leakproof 5-gallon containers or smaller.
• Bring residential waste only; no business, institution or contractor waste.
• Present your driver’s license or other proof of residency and your registration ticket (either printed or on a mobile device)
• Remain in your vehicle at all times

To sign up for email notifications, please fill out this form:

NoHaz Email Notification Sign Up Form

Please send an email to nohaz@oakgov.com with NoHaz volunteer in the subject line. We ask that all volunteers be at least 16 years of age or accompanied by a parent.

To sign up for email notifications, please fill out this form:

NoHaz Email Notification Sign Up Form

Will someone be there to help me?
Yes, residents must remain in vehicles. NoHaz workers will unload everything.

Do you hold events in the rain/snow/hot/cold?
Yes, during lightning or severe weather, the vendor may close the collection event for a period of time

Can I get my gasoline can back if I bring old gas to dispose of?
Yes, but please let workers know you want it back before they unload it

Can I drop materials to you outside of NoHaz days?
No, we do not have a storage facility for materials

Will there be document shredding at NoHaz?
No. NoHaz is only for hazardous materials. Sheriff's office offers shredding events - refer to Sheriff's office website: OCSO in the Community | Community Services

Can I bring Styrofoam, paper, plastic, etc.?
No. NoHaz is only for hazardous materials.

Do you accept air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers?
No, they contain Freon. Contact heating/cooling person to remove Freon and tag it. Waste hauler should take after it's tagged.

I don't see my community on the member list. Can I still participate?
Yes, but the cost to you is $135 per vehicle, per event

Why do some communities charge and some don't?
There is not a countywide household hazardous waste program. Each member community pays the cost for their residents to participate and decides if they will charge residents any of the cost

How much can I bring?
Must be reasonable that it is from a household. No paint contractors, no home computer repair, no collecting for several neighboring households

I have more than one carload, do I have to pay and register twice?
Yes.

Do you accept needles, Sharps?
Yes, you can also search Sharps Mail back program for mail options

Do you accept old medications, EpiPens, etc.?
Yes, but not controlled substances. Controlled substances can be disposed of through the Sheriff's Office Operation Medicine Cabinet – information can be found here: Operation Medicine Cabinet | Domestic Safety

Although some of these items are accepted at NoHaz, you can dispose of them by other means:

• Carbon Monoxide, Smoke & Radon Detectors: Check for instructions on back of device to return to the manufacturer.
• Prescription Medications: Learn more about Operation Medicine Cabinet.
• Latex Paint: Donate to local theater groups or Habitat for Humanity. If unusable, mix with cat litter, sawdust or waste paint hardener and set out with regular trash once it has dried to a solid
• Motor Oil & Automotive Batteries: Contact a discount auto supply store or your local oil change facility.
• Unknown Chemicals: Contact Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.