Household hazardous waste: drop-off sites and free disposal days
Of the 710 facilities we’ve verified, 52 mention taking household hazardous waste. Pick your state for the list, with each site’s own wording and official links.
By state
- Alabama 0
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 3
- Arkansas 0
- California 18
- Colorado 1
- Connecticut 0
- Delaware 0
- Florida 7
- Georgia 1
- Hawaii 0
- Idaho 0
- Illinois 0
- Indiana 1
- Kentucky 0
- Louisiana 0
- Maine 0
- Maryland 0
- Massachusetts 0
- Michigan 1
- Minnesota 2
- Missouri 0
- Montana 0
- Nevada 0
- New Hampshire 0
- New Mexico 0
- New York 0
- North Carolina 1
- Ohio 0
- Oklahoma 1
- Oregon 0
- Pennsylvania 0
- South Carolina 0
- Tennessee 0
- Texas 1
- Utah 2
- Virginia 4
- Washington 6
- West Virginia 0
- Wisconsin 0
- Wyoming 0
Number = verified sites that list hazardous waste as accepted.
What counts as household hazardous waste
The U.S. EPA describes household hazardous waste (HHW) as leftover household products that can catch fire, react, explode, or are corrosive or toxic. Common examples: paints and stains, cleaners, oils and other automotive fluids, batteries, and pesticides. Many of these shouldn’t go in the trash, down the drain, or onto the ground.
How people usually get rid of it
- A permanent HHW drop-off site. Some counties and cities run one, often at or next to the landfill or transfer station, open on set days. Many are free for residents and may limit how much you bring.
- A collection event or “amnesty day.” Places without a permanent site often hold drop-off events a few times a year. Dates are set locally. We list one only when an official site we’ve checked mentions it, and we never guess dates. Check your county’s solid waste page for the next one.
- Retail take-back. Some auto parts stores take used motor oil and car batteries, and some hardware stores take rechargeable batteries or paint. Ask the store first.
Safety basics
- Keep products in their original containers with the labels on. Never mix chemicals.
- Seal leaky containers and set them upright in a box in the trunk or truck bed, away from passengers.
- Ask whether the site takes business waste; most HHW programs are for households only.
Don't want to haul it yourself? Get a junk removal quote
Junk removal crews load and dispose of it for you, usually priced by how much of the truck you fill.
Tip: get two or three quotes from local junk removal companies, and ask whether the price includes the dump fee and labor.
Bigger project? Estimate the dumpster size you need.
See also: paint disposal, electronics. Or search your ZIP for the nearest facility.
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- Earth911 recycling locator (third-party search by material and ZIP)
Related: Hazardous waste drop-off · Bulk trash pickup · Storm debris · Dumpster size calculator · Dump cost calculator · Scrap yards