Household Hazardous Waste

HHWmaterials (2)

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is the unused or leftover portion of any hazardous chemicals or materials. Any leftover household product that is labeled with DANGER, WARNING, TOXIC, CAUTION, POISON, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, or REACTIVE is considered a household hazardous waste.

Additional information for Universal Waste, Pharmaceutical Waste and Safe Disposal of Home Sharps is available.

Examples of HHW are listed below:

  • Aerosol Cans
  • Automotive Fluids
  • Batteries (auto, household, & rechargeable)
  • Computer, Monitors and Televisions
  • Fertilizers
  • Fluorescent Lamps - including tubes and          Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
  • Household Cleaners
  • Mercury Items (including thermometers &          thermostats)
  • Motor Oil & Oil Filters
  • Paint & Stains (latex & oil)
  • Pesticides
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Propane
  • Solvent
HHW event

HHW Disposal Locations or Contacts:

 
 
 
 
Limited door-to-door pick ups of household hazardous waste are  available for  elderly (65+) or disabled unincorporated residents.  Call 1-877-R-1-EARTH for more information.  
 
 
 

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  • Best Practices

    Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

    Reduce the amount of hazardous products that you purchase. Reuse the materials that you have on hand. Recycle your waste and dispose properly at collection sites.

    Read product labels to learn about product uses and dangers before you purchase a product.

    • Choose safer, less toxic alternative products.  
    • If you must purchase hazardous products, buy only the amount you need for the task and use it all so        you can help eliminate HHW.
    • Always store all your household chemicals in a protected and secure area away from children, pets, and appliance pilot lights to prevent poisonings and home fires.
  • Paint Stewardship Program: "PaintCare"

    Recycle your leftover paint with PaintCare, an industry sponsored paint stewardship non-profit program established to manage the reuse, recycling and proper disposal of unused architectural paint.   PaintCare has established hundreds of drop-off sites at paint retail stores, government-run household hazardous waste facilities, and other locations across California. These sites accept program products (primarily latex and oil based paint) in containers of 5 gallons or less from all residents and certain businesses.

    Click here to search for participating retail take back centers in San Diego County

    For more information on PaintCare:  http://www.paintcare.org

  • Additional Resources

Have a recycling question? Email Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov or call: