Where to Take Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Updated 2026-09-25. General guidance only: local rules vary, so check with your county or the facility.

Household hazardous waste, usually shortened to HHW, is the leftover stuff around the house that's toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive. It's everyday material, the kind of thing sold at hardware and grocery stores, but it can hurt sanitation workers, start fires in trucks and contaminate water if it goes out with the trash or down the drain.

What usually counts as HHW

Every program publishes its own list, but these show up on nearly all of them:

Paint and finishes: oil-based paint, stains, varnish, lacquer, paint thinner, strippers, and often latex paint too.
Automotive fluids: used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake and transmission fluid, gasoline, diesel and kerosene.
Garden chemicals: pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodent poisons and some fertilizers.
Cleaners: drain openers, oven cleaners, bleach, ammonia-based products, toilet bowl acids and degreasers.
Pool and hot tub chemicals: chlorine tablets and granules, acids and shock treatments.
Batteries: rechargeable, lithium, button cells and lead-acid.
Mercury items: fluorescent tubes, CFL bulbs, old thermometers and thermostats.
Hobby and home chemicals: photo chemicals, pool supplies, aerosol cans that aren't empty, adhesives, and fuel cylinders.

If a label says Danger, Warning, Caution, Poison, Flammable, Corrosive or Reactive, treat it as HHW unless your local program tells you otherwise.

Things HHW programs often don't take

Programs vary, but many turn away some or all of these, so call first:

Ammunition, fireworks, flares and explosives (police departments or fire marshals may help).
Radioactive items such as some old smoke detectors (many manufacturers take them back by mail).
Medical sharps and medications (pharmacies and law enforcement take-back boxes are common options).
Waste from businesses, which usually needs a licensed commercial hauler.
Unknown mystery containers, unless you call ahead.
Large tanks and cylinders, including compressed gases other than small propane cylinders.

How HHW collection works

There are two common models, and many counties use both.

Permanent HHW facilities are open on a set schedule, sometimes only one or two days a week, sometimes by appointment. They're usually run by a county, city or regional solid waste authority.

Collection days (also called cleanup days or amnesty days) pop up a few times a year at fairgrounds, public works yards or parking lots. You drive through, stay in your vehicle, and staff unload for you. Some require pre-registration and proof of residency, and some cap the amount per household.

Many programs are paid for by local taxes or fees, so they're commonly limited to residents of the county or member towns. Some let non-residents in for a fee. It's worth checking before you go.

How to pack and transport HHW safely

Keep products in their original containers with labels readable. Staff need to know what's inside.
Never mix chemicals. Combining products, even two cleaners, can create toxic gas or heat.
Seal and stand everything upright in a sturdy box or plastic tub. Put a leaking container inside a larger sealed container or a heavy bag, and tell staff about it.
Separate incompatible items. Keep pool chlorine and acids apart, and keep oxidizers away from fuels and oils.
Ride with it outside the cabin if you can. A truck bed or trunk is better than the back seat. Keep windows cracked and don't smoke.
Drive straight there. Don't leave chemicals in a hot car while you run other errands.

Cheaper and easier alternatives

Use it up as directed on the label, or give usable products to someone who will.
Retail take-back often covers motor oil, car batteries, some rechargeable batteries and fluorescent bulbs.
Paint programs in stewardship states accept leftover paint at many stores. See our paint guide.
Buy only what you need next time. The best HHW is the stuff that never piles up.

Why availability varies so much

Handling HHW is expensive. Programs have to pay specialized contractors, train staff and follow strict rules for packaging and shipping. Big metro counties often run year-round facilities, while rural counties may manage one collection day a year or partner with a neighbor. That's why HHW is one of the least consistent services from place to place, and why the county or city solid waste office is the best source for current dates.

Finding a site

Dumpmapper shows HHW drop-offs where our sources list them, including sites that take motor oil or fluorescent bulbs. Coverage is thin, so also check your county page for local contact details. Show hazardous waste drop-offs on the map, or read what counts as household hazardous waste and where to take it.

Find a place near you

Open the map with hazardous waste switched on, or only show listings that mention household hazardous waste (fewer results, because most listings don't list materials). You can also estimate weight and cost with the dump cost calculator.