Jefferson County has one of the area’s most comprehensive programs for dealing with left-over poisons, oil-based paints, and many other items identified as being household generated “Moderate Risk Waste”. Participate in this program at our fixed facility on 10th St. in the Port Townsend Industrial Park (a.k.a. the Boat Haven), across from Henry’s Hardware and McDonald’s.
Stop in BEFORE you buy to check the reuse shelves, or donate items after you’re done cleaning out your garage and shed. And…always remember to use the safe option to dispose of the remaining amounts of these toxic products.
Disposal Locations for Oil and Antifreeze.
List of Materials Accepted at the MRW
| Acceptable Materials | Non-Acceptable Materials |
| Adhesives, Roofing Cements | Ammunition |
| Aerosol sprays | Asbestos |
| Antifreeze | Bilge Water |
| Automotive Products, auto batteries | Biological Waste |
| Mercury thermometers | Cooking Oils |
| CESQG (Business) waste with prior approval | Dioxin bearing materials |
| Contaminated Bilge Water | Drug Lab Waste |
| Contaminated motor oil | Dry Cell Batteries (Alkaline/Lithium) |
| Corrosives, such as rust removers (Acid & Alkaline) | Empty (dried out) containers |
| Dry cell batteries, rechargeable NiCad/NiMH | Explosives |
| Fluorescent light ballasts and tubes | Electronics (Computers, TV’s, Etc.) |
| Gasoline, White Gas, Diesel, Kerosene other fuels | Latex paint or caulking/sealing products |
| Lawn and Garden chemicals | Medications |
| Non-County waste with prior approval | Radioactive wastes |
| Oil-based paint, Stains, Varnishes & related products | Reactive waste |
| Photographic chemicals | Regulated Small or Large Quantity Generator waste of any kind |
| Pool chemicals | Sharps (Needles) |
| Small Propane (Liquid Gas) Bottles | |
| Solvents | |
| Wood Preservatives |
Fees
Residents of Jefferson County — No charge
Businesses in Jefferson County – A Fee Schedule applies to businesses qualifying as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators. (CESQG)
Facts!
The MRW facility has provided a local, convenient way for Jefferson County residents to properly dispose of household hazardous waste since 1995. Improper disposal includes dumping products into waters, sewers or trash containers, or by open burning or burial.
Moderate risk wastes (MRW) are common house and garden cleaners, chemicals, and auto products that may be hazardous to store and dangerous to you, your family, and the environment. MRW is either flammable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or a combination of these characteristics. In general, any product labeled with the words Caution, Warning, Danger, Toxic, or Poison can be considered hazardous. Disposal of this type of waste in your garbage is prohibited by State and County regulations.
The MRW facility diverts usable products in good condition to a Material Reuse Program available to the public, so be sure to check this source before buying at the store particularly if you only need a small quantity.
