How to Identify & Handle HHW

Household hazardous waste products such as cleaners and paint generally aren't considered "hazardous waste" until you need to dispose of them. If you are unsure if an item is considered HHW, first check the product’s label. Warnings such as poison, toxic, flammable, ignitable, and corrosive indicate that an item is HHW when it's time to toss it. Cleaners that contain strong acids, bleach, or ammonia are also hazardous.

Remember to handle HHW with care! Keep products in their original containers and don’t mix them together. Containers should be tightly sealed, packed in a box in an upright, stable position and transported in the trunk of a car or bed of a truck. Also, be sure to package batteries separate from light bulbs to reduce risk of breakage!

*For more information on what types of items are accepted at HHW Collection Events, visit our HHW Accepted Items webpage.

Save money while also supporting a more sustainable local food system! Apps such as Flashfood and Too Good to Go, as well as subscription services like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods ensure that groceries nearing their expiration date are still utilized and saved from the landfill. Whether you live in a rural or urban area, many of these options still apply to you! Learn about the benefits of both types of services below.

Discounted Goods Apps

Near-expiration groceries are placed in a special pick-up area in participating stores such as Meijer and many Metro Detroit-area supermarkets. Using the designated app allows you to reserve these groceries at a steep discount and pick them up in-store. Many households save thousands of dollars a year by utilizing these apps - see which one is right for you!

Subscription Delivery Services

How about having discounted grocery items delivered right to your door? Try a subscription delivery service! These items may have slight imperfections or packaging issues, but they're just as nutritious otherwise. Not only are you reducing food waste, but you can even customize your weekly box! Talk about a win-win!

Plastic plant pots and trays are recyclable in RRRASOC communities. Simply place them in your curbside cart or in a collection container at one of our recycling drop-off sites and we'll take care of the rest!

Non-ceramic plant pots are generally considered bulky plastics, which are accepted with RRRASOC. If your plastic trays are flaking or crumbling, please place them with your household garbage instead as they could contaminate other recyclables.

Meijer Garden Centers also accept plastic plant pots and trays, where they are then shipped to a plastic processing facility to be recycled. These pots and trays do not have to be purchased at Meijer in order for them to be recycled there.

During the following HHW Collection Events, all residents of RRRASOC member communities are welcome to bring household hazardous waste for an opportunity to safely discard their hazardous items and e-waste. Simple Recycling and paper shredding services will also be available*.

October 4, 2025

Novi Dept. of Public Works

26300 Lee BeGole Dr., Novi

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 25, 2025 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

*The T-shirt icon indicates an HHW Collection Event during which clothing, shoes, accessories, and small household items will be accepted by Simple Recycling.

For more information about HHW events and how to prepare your items, please visit our HHW page.

RRRASOC Recycling Directory

Not sure what to do with stuff?

Visit rrrasoc.org and use the Recycling Directory search bar to type in keywords and get recycling, composting, reuse or disposal instructions.

The searchable, intuitive format of the Recycling Directory provides RRRASOC-specific information.

Mobile App Available

Search "Recycling Authority" in your App Store or Google Play Store.

Want more tips, tricks, and updates about recycling? We have a Facebook page where we can reach each other to make recycling easier. You can also reach us via RRRASOC.org and email at education@rrrasoc.org!

RRRASOC - Recycling Authority | 248-208-2270 | rrrasoc.org