Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources Team Up for Community Event Hosted at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, Issue a Call for Volunteers 

Lawrenceville, Ga. – January 13, 2026 – Virtually every household has them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines “household hazardous waste” (HHW) as leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic. They range from bug sprays in aerosol cans to weed killers in spray bottles. As these HHW products age or are no longer needed, residents must seek appropriate ways to dispose of them. Unfortunately, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division warns that dumping household hazardous waste down the drain can cause groundwater, lake, or stream pollution, and that putting liquids in the trash is not permitted. To that end, Gwinnett County launched a bi-annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in 2018 – co-hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett County’s Department of Water Resources (DWR). The next event – marking the first of two in 2026 – is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

“We are pleased to provide this option for residents of Gwinnett, and since its inception eight years ago, it’s been very well received,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “Household hazardous waste can take up space in one’s garage, storage room, basement, and cabinets. Not only is participation in our HHW Collection Day a great way to declutter ahead of the big Spring clean, but it’s also an impactful form of environmental stewardship. By placing that household hazardous waste in our hands, event attendees can rest assured it will be disposed of properly, with minimal to no environmental impact.” 

Items that will be accepted during the February 7 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day include:

• Aerosol/spray pesticides
• Automotive products (engine degreaser, brake fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.)
• Cleaners, corrosives, spot removers, acids, and bases
• Aerosol/spray paint
• Auto batteries
• Batteries (household and rechargeable)
• Chlorinated solvents
• Cooking oil and grease
• Fire extinguishers
• Flammables (lighter fluid and waste fuels like kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.)
• Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts
• Hand sanitizer
• Insecticides
• Latex and water-based paints
• Lawn care products
• Mercury
• Mercury salts and elemental mercury thermometers
• Oil-based paint and stains
• Oxidizers
• Pesticides
• Poisons
• Propane cylinders
• Solvents and varnishes
• Thermostats and other mercury-containing items
• Thinners and paint strippers
• Weed killer
• Wood preservatives

Items that will NOT be accepted include ammunition, radioactive waste, pharmaceuticals, biomedical/biohazard waste, and fireworks. This event will also NOT include the collection of electronics, tires, or paper for shredding. Gwinnett residents may bring up to five “containers” of household hazardous waste for FREE. Containers may be the size of a laundry basket, a small moving box, or a paper grocery bag. Attendees should note that containers will not be returned. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds is located at 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. Attendees are asked to enter the main entrance of the Fairgrounds, located off Sugarloaf Parkway, at the traffic light.

Marlatt added, “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our guests as we work safely and efficiently during this event! Proper handling of household hazardous waste is a carefully managed process that ensures safety and environmental responsibility. Each item brought to the event is first identified by an on-site chemist, then sorted, packaged, and labeled by trained and certified staff based on its chemical composition, quantity, and packaging requirements. Materials are then manifested for transport in accordance with strict state and federal regulations, ensuring they are properly recycled, reused, or disposed of at approved facilities. This isn’t a “dump-and-run” event — it’s a controlled, professional operation designed to protect our community and the environment. We thank everyone for doing their part!”

Marlatt also conveyed the importance of volunteers to ensuring a smooth event. Those interested in registering as a volunteer for the February 7 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day can visit https://cerv.is/0024×5209. Questions about the event may be directed to gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org or 770-822-5187. 
About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful:  Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GC&B) is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate and award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long-term solutions to environmental and quality-of-life issues through individual action. The organization is guided by a Citizens Advisory Board that represents all sectors of the Gwinnett County community. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener, and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GC&B involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to clean and restore public places, recycle more, protect watersheds, and develop the next generation of environmental stewards. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its mission of “Connecting People and Resources for a Sustainable Gwinnett,” please visit www.GwinnettCB.org. The organization invites you to connect with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful on Facebook (@gwinnettcb), Instagram (@greengwinnett), LinkedIn (@gwinnett-clean-beautiful), and X (@gogreengwinnett).