HazWaste Days Events

What is HazWaste Days?

Household Hazardous Wastes are basically hazardous wastes generated by normal household activities (e.g., routine house and yard maintenance). Some cities have facilities that allow for year-round collection of these materials, often operated by municipal or private landfills. Because we care about proper disposal of these chemicals but do not have a facility like this in Missoula, the Missoula Valley Water Quality District hires a contractor to come and collect Missoula’s household hazardous waste each year. We have done this since 1993 (with the exception of 2017). By law, we can only accept household hazardous waste (or conditionally exempt waste*).

When is it?

Since we are building a new year-round facility we will not longer be hosting annual collection events. We are currently working on this facility and anticipate this to be open sometime in 2023. For other year-round options please visit ZeroByFifty.

Thank you to everyone that participated in our 2020 collection event. It was a huge success.

Costs

It is very expensive to properly dispose of these hazardous materials. This event is largely covered by the District and a combination of city and corporate donations. A small fee is also required of participants to further help defray costs. City and county fees and property taxes do not cover the costs of this event.
* Waste must have been generated from a household that: a. Generates less than 220 lbs (approx 26 gallons) of hazardous waste per 40 CFR 261 or 2.2 lbs of acutely hazardous waste per 40 CFE 261.31, 261.32, or 261.33 (e) in any month b. Has not accumulated more than 2,200 lbs of hazardous waste or 220 lbs of acutely hazardous waste.