Household Hazardous Waste

Goshen residents generate household hazardous waste when they use products containing corrosive, toxic, reactive, or flammable substances. These items, such as oil-based paints, pesticides, cleaners, batteries, and unused medications, serve their purpose safely but require proper disposal when you are done. Never pour hazardous materials down drains, into storm sewers, or onto the ground. Improper disposal harms public health and pollutes the environment. Instead, save these materials for designated drop-off opportunities that protect the community’s water and soil while supporting a healthy, sustainable environment.

What to Do With Household Hazardous Waste?

Save all household hazardous waste and bring it to a monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day sponsored by the Elkhart County Landfill. All county residents may drop off HHW generated from their homes during these events, which take place the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on C.R. 7, just north of C.R. 26. For details about HHW Drop-Off Days, call the Elkhart County Landfill at 574-522-2581.

You can also find additional disposal information at earth911.com.

For general trash collection questions, visit the City’s informational page on trash pickup, contact Borden Waste-Away online, or call 574-293-5001. Borden will collect one large household item per home each week, such as furniture, stoves, or washers and dryers. They do not accept e-waste, items with Freon, car parts, construction debris, or tires. Property owners may schedule paid special pickups or request a dumpster for those items by contacting Borden Waste-Away directly.

Medications and Sharps Disposal

Dispose of unused or expired medications at monthly HHW Drop-Off Days. Sharps are accepted if placed in a puncture-proof container.

Residents may also drop off medications, excluding sharps, at the City of Goshen Police Station, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round. Medications may remain in original bottles, but remove personal information first.

Never flush medications or pour them down drains. Improper disposal harms water, soil, wildlife, and ecosystems. Use drop-off sites or Take-Back events whenever possible. If disposal in the trash is necessary, follow safe steps provided by state and federal agencies.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is held each April and October to provide secure disposal and raise awareness about prescription drug abuse.

For details, visit the Indiana Recycle Indiana site or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division.

Items accepted at the monthly HHW Drop-Off Days

• Antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, kerosene, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, and used motor oil
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s)
• Floor care products, furniture polish, and metal polish
• Fungicide, insecticide, weed killer, rat/mouse poison
• Glue, mineral spirits, oil-based paint, aerosol paints, paint thinner, paint stripper, rust remover, varnish, and wood preservative
• Household cleaners, gun cleaning solvent, mothballs, lighter fluid, and swimming pool chemicals
• Mercury
• Nail polish and polish remover
• Oil-based paints
• Rechargeable batteries, recyclable lithium batteries, car batteries (the SWMD will take car batteries but these may also be sold to a local scrap dealer)

Items NOT accepted at the monthly HHW Drop-Off Days:

• Alkaline batteries: Dispose in regular trash or check recycling options at earth911.com.
• Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors): Drop off at Recycling Works in Elkhart or contact Borden Waste-Away.
• Latex paint: Absorb with kitty litter, sawdust, or newspaper until dry, then place in regular trash. Empty aerosol cans may go in the trash.
• Mattresses, microwaves, refrigerators or freezers, styrofoam, tires: Dispose through designated vendors or programs, not HHW events.