Refuse/Recycle

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste or HHW, refers to a wide variety of commonly generated household chemicals that when combined with others can cause dangerous reactions and can produce extreme heat or toxic gases. That is why its important to properly dispose of these chemicals when you no longer need them.  Any item that has labels with “warning,” “danger,” “corrosive,” “irritant,” “toxic,” “caution,” or “flammable” is typically considered HHW. Some examples include oil-based paint, paint thinner, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, lawn and garden products, cleaning products, lead-acid batteries, mercury, pool and hobby chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, smoke detectors, acids, aerosols, etc.

Throwing these items into the trash can pose a health and safety risk to trash collection personnel as well as cause harm to our natural environment. Instead, please dispose of these materials through Mid Michigan Waste Authority’s Household Hazardous Special Waste Program.

The Saginaw, Midland and Bay County Health Departments also offer some HHW programming. Events are by appointment only and limited to residents of the sponsoring county.

For Health Department event details, call your local department:

  • * Saginaw County: 989-758-3686
  • Midland County: 989-832-6679
  • Bay County: 989-895-4006

Fire Extinguishers:
Throwing spent or out-dated fire extinguishers in the trash poses a hazard to garbage truck personnel. The companies below provide safe disposal of extinguishers, or contact your fire department for tips.

  • Delta Fire Protection - 6974 Shattuck Saginaw 989-793-9404
  • Gale Fire Protection, Inc. - 10248 Pierce Rd. Freeland 989-695-9800
  • Vanguard Fire & Security Co. - 1633 Champagne Dr. Saginaw 989-755-7790

Propane Tanks Refill/Disposal:
Most hardware and grocery stores, as well as some gas stations, offer propane tank refills or exchanges. A few also offer tank disposal. Look in your Yellow Pages for other locations. Call for details on disposal availability. Unless noted, refill and disposal rates are for 20 lb. tanks.

  • Amerigas Propane Service 989-777-0630
  • Central Rental  989-781-7368
  • Clark Hardware/True Value - refills only - 989-753-5611
  • Dague Dri Gas Inc. 989-781-1310
  • Gamm Hardware - refill or exchange - 989-695-5741
  • Kroger - exchanges only - all locations
  • Meijer - refill or exchange - all locations
  • Parkers Propane 989-777-5533
  • Uhaul - $5 to dispose - 989-791-1510
  • Wal-Mart - exchanges only - all locations

Drop-Off Day Rules:

  • Proof of Saginaw County residency
  • Residents only - NO businesses, farms, schools, or non-profit organizations.
  • Limit 5-gallon size containers; NO barrels
  • Containers not returned