Household Hazardous Waste

Many common household products are hazardous. If these products are handled or disposed of incorrectly, they can pose a threat to human health, animals and the environment. When these products are discarded, they become "household hazardous waste." In California, it is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment. Household hazardous waste needs to be disposed of through a Household Hazardous Waste Program.

Information for the Public

• See a listing of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities sorted by city
• What are Household Hazardous Wastes and where do you take them?
• Managing Hazardous Waste at Foreclosed Properties
• Why can't you throw them in the trash?
• Learn about environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work and play through "Tox Town" from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. 
• Learn about chemical hazards around the house for grades K-6 through the "ToxMystery" game from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. 
• 10 Things to Recycle That You Never Thought You Could
• Are there alternatives or other resources?

Local Agencies and Contractors

• Statutes and Regs (H&S Code)
• Facilities and PBRs  
• Funding
• Information on the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act of 2008

A public agency that plans to collect e-waste at an HHW collection facility or temporary event must notify DTSC 30 days in advance at http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/database/UWED/index.cfm

AND

submit an annual report covering its activities during prior calendar year.  The agency must also complete and submit Form 303 (A or B based on your jurisdiction).

Many cities and counties have developed programs to collect, recycle or properly dispose of household hazardous waste. They may also collect hazardous waste generated by small businesses that are exempt from regular hazardous waste management requirements. DTSC is the state agency that is responsible for ensuring the safe and responsible management of household hazardous waste. At a local level the management of household hazardous waste is overseen by Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs).

Additional Resources

• EPA (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)
• CalRecycle 
• Earth911.org
• eRecycle.org    
• DTSC Certified Appliance Recyclers (CAR) page

• Information on collection of rechargeable batteries