What household hazardous waste programs typically accept (and turn away)
Updated · General information about how programs commonly work — not instructions for your location.
Call ahead. Hours, fees, residency rules, appointments and accepted materials change. Check the official page or call before you go. Never mix chemicals, and keep products in their original containers. Every listing links to its official source.
Rules differ by place. Your city, county or state program decides what it takes and how. Follow its official page and the product label. We don't give handling or disposal advice. For a poisoning or chemical exposure call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222; for an emergency call 911.
“Household hazardous waste” (HHW) is the leftover household products that a program treats as too hazardous for the trash — typically because they can catch fire, react, corrode or are toxic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes HHW in those terms and gives paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides as common examples, and notes that HHW is regulated mainly at the state and local level (EPA, “Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)”, summarized from an epa.gov search on November 9, 2026). That is why every program's list is a little different.
Categories programs commonly accept
Many — not all — city and county HHW programs list some of these. Our listings show only what each official page says.
- Paint and paint-related products — some programs take both latex and oil-based paint, others only oil-based (see the paint guide).
- Automotive fluids — used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline.
- Batteries — household batteries and car batteries, often with separate rules.
- Lawn and garden chemicals — pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers with weed killer.
- Household cleaners and chemicals — drain cleaners, solvents, aerosols, pool chemicals.
- Mercury-containing items — fluorescent tubes and CFLs, thermostats, thermometers.
- Propane cylinders — usually small camping cylinders; large tanks are often refused.
- Electronics — some HHW sites take e-waste, many do not. Our electronics page lists only sites whose official page says they do.
What programs commonly turn away
These are often refused at household programs, or sent to a separate service. Your program may differ — check its list before you go.
- Explosives, ammunition, fireworks and flares (often referred to law enforcement or the fire department).
- Radioactive items, and medical waste such as sharps or medicines (frequently handled by separate take-back programs).
- Business or commercial waste — unless the program says it has a separate, often paid, small-business option.
- Unknown or unlabelled containers, leaking containers, or very large quantities over the program's limit.
- Items that belong to other programs: tires, appliances, mattresses, trash or yard waste.
Rules that vary from place to place
- Residency: most programs are for residents of a specific city, county or district, and may ask for ID or a utility bill.
- Appointments: some sites are drive-up, others need a booked slot.
- Quantity limits: many set a maximum per visit (by gallons, pounds or number of containers).
- Fees: often free for residents; some charge for certain items or for non-residents.
- Containers: most ask for products in their original, labelled containers and say never to mix products.
We don't tell you how to treat or dispose of a product at home. If your local program can't take something, ask it (or your state environmental agency) what to do — and follow the product label.
Find a program
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