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Household Chemical Collection
The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program is operated by the City of Allen in partnership with the City of Plano at no charge to residents. Chemicals are collected by City of Allen and processed at City of Plano facilities. Items eligible for reuse are returned to the Allen Chemical Reuse Center and available free of charge to Allen and Plano residents. The service is offered to help keep the environment free of chemical contamination.
How do I dispose of chemicals/HHW materials?
- City of Allen collects HHW materials from Allen residents free of charge. Schedule an HHW pickup using MyAllen (account required) or call Community Services at 214.509.4551.
- The max weight allowed is 50 pounds per collection.
- All flammable materials (such as gasoline, kerosene or oil) should be in original containers or containers approved to transport flammable materials. Flammable liquids may also be poured into plastic detergent or juice bottles with screw-top lids, provided they are clearly labeled and contain no more than one gallon of flammable liquid.
- Chemicals diluted with significant amounts of water will not be collected.
- Rusted or leaking containers must be placed inside another container (such as a bucket) or a tied inside a plastic bag
- Items must display their original labels. Unlabeled containers will not be collected.
- Non-HHW or unacceptable items will not be collected.
- HHW bins must be ready for pickup by 7 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.
- HHW is prohibited from being placed in the trash or recycle cart: Code of Ordinances: Health and Environment, Section 6-55. Prohibited Acts (k) & Penalty for Violation.
Home healthcare waste is not collected through the HHW or recycling program. These items require special handling and disposal as part of household trash. Walgreens also offers a medication disposal program at select stores. Check this map to find a kiosk near you.
Needles, sharps and syringes
To protect workers and others from injury or contamination, you should place lancets, needles, sharp objects and syringes in hard plastic or metal container with a secured lid.
- Do not add containers with sharps or other medical waste to your recycling container.
- Do not put sharp objects in any container you plan to recycle or return to a store.
- Do not use glass or clear soft plastic containers.
- Reuse an empty detergent or juice bottle or purchase containers specifically designed for disposing of medical waste sharps.
- Use hard plastic or metal containers with a secured lid.
Before discarding a container, reinforce the lid with heavy-duty tape and place in a dark plastic trash bag. Soiled bandages, disposable sheets and medical gloves should be securely fastened inside a plastic bag before placing in your household trash. Keep all containers with sharp objects away from children and pets.
Chemicals accepted for disposal
The following household chemicals are accepted in the chemical collection program and should not be placed in your trash or recycle cart.
| Accepted for disposal |
|---|
| Ammonia-based cleaners; window cleaner, drain cleaner, oven cleaner |
| Antifreeze |
| Brake, power steering and transmission fluids |
| Car batteries and battery acid |
| Car wax |
| Cooking oil |
| Drain cleaner |
| Fertilizer, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides |
| Floor care products, furniture polish |
| Gasoline, diesel fuel |
| Insect sprays |
| Lighter fluid, kerosene |
| Motor oil, oil filters |
| Paint, primer, paint thinner or stopper |
| Pool chlorine, pool cleaners, shock treatment, muriatic acid, alkaline additive |
| Small propane or helium tanks |
| Turpentine |
| Varnish |
| Wood preservatives |
Chemicals not accepted for disposal
These materials are not accepted in the City’s chemical collection program and require special handling for disposal. Please call the Community Services Department at 214.509.3100 for assistance with proper disposal of the following materials.
| Not accepted |
|---|
| Ammunition: Call the Allen Police Department for disposal info at 214.509.4263 |
| Arsenic |
| Asbestos |
| Biohazards |
| Chemical containers larger than 5 gallons |
| Chemicals not in original containers (with the exception of automotive fluids) |
| Common household batteries (AAA/AA/C/D/9-volt/12-volt): Place these in regular trash collection |
| Expired medication |
| Fireworks or explosives: Call the Allen Fire Marshal for disposal info at 214.509.4400. If you discover explosives, call 911. |
| Fire extinguishers: Large propane tanks can be disposed of at most propane exchange cages. Call manufacturer for further disposal options. |
| Medical waste, including syringes |
| Mercury thermostats: Deliver to front desk of Allen City Hall (305 Century Parkway) to be recycled |
| Nuclear/radioactive materials (smoke detectors) |
| Photographic processing chemicals |
| Unlabeled/commercial quantities of HHW chemicals |