Stormwater SMART's local government partners want everyone to know that storm drains lead to the nearest creek or stream, unfiltered and untreated. Municipalities with separate stormwater systems (MS4s) have sewer lines that carry our used household water to the nearest Wastewater Treatment Plant. That means that anything entering the storm drain has the potential to harm the aquatic ecosystem, which is why we say, "Only Rain Down the Storm Drains!" Yet even rain carries pollution when it travels along pavement, over rooftops, and through construction zones. Developed areas create polluted stormwater runoff with common pollutants like dirt, motor oil and antifreeze, yard clippings, pesticides and fertilizers, litter, and hazardous household waste (HHW) like bleach, paint, oils, and harsh cleaning solutions. Our media campaigns in the Piedmont Triad, made possible by the Clean Water Education Partnership, identify things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution, help wildlife, improve water quality, and keep our communities beautiful. Clean water starts with you and me!

Important Tips for Delivering Waste to Facilties:

• Unless specifically noted on the city/county website, keep waste items in their original containers whenever possible. Do not mix separate waste products.
• If the container label is unreadable or a material is in a different container from the original, label it (if you know for certain what it is).
• If you have a material that is not listed that you wish to bring to a facility, call first and explain what it is. It may save you an unnecessary trip if it may be disposed in the regular trash.
• Cushion compact fluorescent light bulbs to ensure that they do not break.
• When you arrive at a facility, do not leave your vehicle. Await instructions from the attendant and have proof of residency at hand.
• If you bring waste items in a container that you want back, tell the attendant. 
• In some cases, there are limits of how much and how often a resident may visit a waste site. If you have a BIG project, consider renting a dumpster from a commercial garbage hauler. If in doubt about whether you are over the limit, contact your local facility in advance.

Click your county below for HHW guidelines and information.

Never dump household hazardous wastes in storm drains or streams, or flush them down the toilet.