Planning Your HHW Collection Event: Advanced Planning
Planning and organization are critical to hosting a successful household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event. Allow at least six months to complete some of these listed activities.
Please note: These pages are provided as guidance and are not intended to be used as a substitute for reading and ultimately complying with the HHW Rule (30 TAC 335 Subchapter N ).
What are the Rules?
The TCEQ regulates household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events. The governing rules state what information is specifically required on your end before, during, and after the event, including things like:
- What paperwork is submitted to the TCEQ and what is included in your operational plan that must be available at a facility, collection event, or on a mobile vehicle,
- Where you can take the aggregated HHW and who can transport that material, and
- Who must be available during an event and what the training requirements are for staff and volunteers.
Certain sections of the rule apply to all HHW operators and the different collection types. You can see an overview of the different collection types on the Program Assistance page.
More information about BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) collections and Exemptions from the HHW program requirements can be found in Additional Program Guidance.
Who Should I Involve in Planning?
A major part of advanced planning is contacting interested groups and engaging affected departments early in the process. Consider contacting a variety of groups:
- Governmental: city and county officials, local river authorities
- Interested parties: local chapters of environmental groups and civic organizations
- Affected persons: fire and emergency response departments
- Businesses: local newspapers, radio and television stations, local chemical manufacturers, health organizations, or local businesses and recyclers
The groups you contact can not only provide input and help you organize the collection but may be able to donate time and volunteers, or financially sponsor aspects of the collection, sharing the overall cost.
What Should be Covered in Planning?
Arrange a planning meeting with interested groups. Set an agenda to include decisions on the following:
- Basic information—type of collection, potential dates, frequency of collections, points of contact
- Materials to be collected (what types of HHW to accept or not accept, which will affect collection cost)
- Financing methods
- Public education and survey forms for the event
- Areas covered—will this be a city-only event, multi-city, or county event?
- Contracts - transportation and disposal firms or collaboration with another HHW program
- Regulatory requirements—who will be organizing and submitting the necessary documents?
- Non-hazardous waste disposal options and handling reuse items or recyclables Encourage creativity in organizing, publicizing, and financing the project. Set deadlines and follow-up meetings. Involve your interested parties and utilize their resources—previous experience, large pool of volunteers, or media opportunities—to reach your residents.