HHW and Electronics Disposal Alternatives

The following alternatives are available for Newport News residents in addition to the Recovery Operations Center during quarterly HHW collection events. The Recovery Operations Center does not accept material between events. The below facilities do accept items listed. Some may charge for collection. Others may require residents to contact them in advance. This list acknowledges businesses that accept material may restrict volumes due to storage and safety.

Batteries
  • Batteries Plus
    • Lead acid: automotive, ATV, garden equipment
    • Lead acid: UPS power supply units (note: battery must be removed from case to be accepted)
    • Rechargeable tool batteries
    • Button batteries
    • NICAD
    • Note: alkaline batteries are not recyclable and not considered hazardous; they can be placed in the trash.
  • AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Pep Boys (lead acid and solid state): automotive, motorcycle, ATV, garden equipment
  • Home Depot and Lowe’s: lead acid: battery packs for power tools
Oil

Most automotive stores do accept automotive oils. However, big box retailers do not have collection resources for residents. Call ahead or ask when you purchase oil.

  • AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Pep Boys: automotive, motorcycle, ATV, garden equipment
Compact fluorescent bulbs
  • Home Depot and Lowe’s – usually at the entrance to the facility.
Propane tanks (retailers with outside cages)
Electronics

CRT televisions only can be processed via approved sources, although DEQ does not prohibit them from going to the landfill; the leaded screen is the issue.

In addition to the Recovery Operations Center, other working and non-working electronics can go to:

  • Goodwill
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • CHKD Thrift Stores
Fluorescent tubes

Green tipped tubes are non-toxic; silver tipped ones are only collected at HHW events or through programs from Waste Management or Phillips

Garden chemicals

None; HHW collection only. Do not dispose in trash or dump.

Smoke detectors

Smoke detectors are accepted at the ROC during HHW quarterly events.

These instructions should be passed on to residents who have questions or wish to dispose of them properly:

  • Smoke Detectors have a radioactive substance (americium 241) in them.
  • All new devices come with instructions from the manufacturers (required by federal law) as how to return them to the manufacturer or their designate. They usually have the address to the facility to be sent to and/or a toll-free phone number and what types they accept. Manufacturers will usually provide a prepaid container or shipping label for the smoke detectors and the majority of these services are free to the consumer.
  • The US Postal Service has a contact list of manufacturers/distributors on their website.

When returning a detector to the manufacturer, include a note indicating the detector is to be disposed of, and mail it to the address listed on the back of the detector. The following smoke detector manufacturers/distributors will take back their smoke detectors:

Manufacturer/Distributor Phone Number Address for Return Notes
American Sensors/Dicon Global 800-387-4219 Call to receive a number and
return information
Accepts Dicon Global
American Sensors brands
only
Firex 800-445-8299 Firex c/o Disposal
28C Leigh Fisher Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79906
Firex
First Alert/BRK 800-323-9005 Ext. 2 Customer Service Dept
3920 Enterprise Court
Aurora, IL 60504
 Accepts up to four devices of
First Alert/BRK brand at a
time. Call ahead for mailing
instructions.
G.E. Security/ESL 888-437-3287 12345 Southwest Levetan Dr.
Tualatin, OR 97062
Will accept G.E.
Security/ESL brands only
Honeywell 800-328-5111 Returned Goods,
Honeywell, Inc.
Dock 4-MN10-3860
1985 Douglas Drive North
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Accepts Honeywell smoke
detectors only
Kidde 800-880-6788 Ext. 1 1016 Corporate Park Dr.
Mebane, NC 27302
Will only accept Kidde brand
smoke detectors
Sears local number Some Sears locations are
designated collection sites
Call to find out if local Sears
will accept smoke detectors
System Sensors 800-736-7672 Ext. 1 Call to receive a reference
number and return information
Will accept System Sensors
brand only. Asking payment
of $3.00 for each detector to
cover recycling costs.
USI Electric/Universal 800-390-4321 Ext. 1 Attention: Disposal Dept.
7A Gwynns Mill Court
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Return only detectors that
say “ionization” on the back.
Only USI Electric or
Universal brand detectors
accepted. Enclose a note
that the smoke detector
is being returned for
recycling.