Household Hazardous Waste Classifications - Environmental Health, Department of (DEP)

This listing is provided as a quick reference for residents. For a more detailed explanation, please call the Santa Clara County HHW Program at (408)299-7300. Please note that appointments are necessary before drop-offs can be made at all facilities.

Types of Waste	What to do with it
Corrosive
Batteries, Vehicle and Household alkaline and rechargeable	HHW Event-Vehicle Batteries and household acceptable. Call HHW Hotline for local businesses near your home that may accept batteries.
Battery, Acid	Absorb with Kitty Litter or Sand. Then bring to HHW Event.
Chemistry Sets	HHW Event
Cleaners/Household Chemicals	HHW Event
Degreasers/Solvents	HHW Event
Photo Chemicals	HHW Event
Flammable
Aerosol Cans	Empty- May be discarded in trash HHW Event
Automotive Fluids (Antifreeze, Oils, Various Fluids, and other Chemicals)	HHW Event Do not mix products together.
Chemistry Sets	HHW Event
Cleaners/Household Chemicals	HHW Event
Cosmetics, Toiletries	HHW Event
Degreasers/Solvents	HHW Event
Flares(except airborne flares)	HHW Event
Freon	HHW Event
Gasoline/Fuels	HHW Event
Gun Powder	HHW Event
Helium Tanks (No Oxygen tanks; must be disposed of with a Medical Waste Hauler or by the Vendor/Manufacturer.	HHW Event-5 gallon containers or smaller only Call (408)299-7300 for a list of Medical Waste Haulers
Mace	HHW Event
Oil-Cooking	HHW Event Up to 1 Quart can be thrown in the garbage
Oil Filters/Used	HHW Event
Oil-Motor/Used	HHW Event, Used Oil Certified Centers, or Local Garage Co. for curbside pickup
Oily Rags/Paper	Wet-HHW Event / Dry-Garbage
Paint/Cans	HHW Event Empty containers can be placed in the garbage if the residue is dry with lids removed.
Propane Tanks	HHW Event or call Suburban Propane (408)227-8464
Sand-contaminated	HHW Event-Up to 5 gallons.
Oxidizer
Chemistry Sets	HHW Event
Cleaners/Household Chemicals	HHW Event
Photo Chemicals	HHW Event
Toxic
Chemistry Sets	HHW Event
Cleaners/Household Chemicals	HHW Event
Dental Amalgam	HHW Event or Medical Waste Disposal Company
Fertilizers	HHW Event
Fluorescent Tubes, Spiral, and Compact Bulbs	HHW Event
Lead	HHW Event
Mercury	HHW Event-Including Thermostats, Button Batteries, Relays, etc.
Pesticides	HHW Event
Biohazard
Medicine, Prescription	HHW Event; Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or throw in the trash.
Sharps/Syringes/Needle	HHW Event in Commercial Biohazard Container only. These can be purchased at many drug stores and pharmacies or online. Call the HHW Hotline at (408)299-7300.
Miscellaneous
Ammunition	Santa Clara County Sheriff Dept. (408)299-2622/or Local Police Department
Asbestos	Asbestos should be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste program. Items must be double bagged with each bag weighing no more than 50 lbs. Residents should not try to remove or break Asbestos themselves, because particles will become airborne.
Dirt-Contaminated	Up to 5 gallons acceptable at HHW Events.
Drums	Call HHW Hotline for local businesses that accept Drums or visit www.calmax.org.
Fire Extinguishers	HHW Event or Brown’s Fire Equipment Co. (831) 429-9096 will recharge empty extinguishers or $5 disposal fee.
Fireworks	Santa Clara County Sheriff Dept. (408)299-2622/or Local Police Department
Paint Brushes/Rollers	Allow to dry and place in garbage or bring to HHW Event if still wet or pliable.
Precious Metals	Call HHW Hotline for local metal recyclers or vendors or click here to link to the Center for the Development of Recycling.
Railroad Ties	Call Guadalupe Landfill (408) 268-1666
Refrigerator	Call (408)268-1670 for disposal service. Residents of South County can call the San Martin Transfer Station at (408)683-4443. Residents of San Jose can call Recycle Plus at (408)277-2700. Residents of Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto can call the Sunnyvale Smart Station at (408) 752-8530