Safe Disposal (Get Rid of Household Hazardous Waste)

Light bulbs, paint, batteries

Every household has products that are hazardous to dispose of:

Light bulbs
Batteries
Electronics (household appliances, computers)
Paint
Pesticides
Household cleaners

Request a free household hazardous waste pick-up.

San Francisco residents get special services for household toxic products. Call Recology at (415) 330-1405 or email them at [email protected] to schedule a FREE home pick-up from your San Francisco residence. Appointments are available Wednesday to Saturday mornings. You must be present at the time of pick-up.

ACCEPTED: With the free home pick up service, you can dispose of the following:

Oil-based paints
Solvents
Cleaning products
Pesticides
Fertilizers
Automotive products
Photo chemicals
Mercury thermometers
Non-empty aerosols

NOT ACCEPTED:

Old and expired Medicines and Needles cannot be collected by the home pick up service. Click here for information on safe medicine disposal.
Unknown or unlabeled toxic and other hazardous substances cannot be collected by the home pick up service. They must be taken directly to the household hazardous waste facility.

Find a drop-off location near you

Note: Due to shelter-in-place public health orders in effect across the Bay Area, many facilities, programs and businesses are closed or may have reduced services. We recommend calling them before dropping off your waste. Please follow State and Federal guidelines for keeping yourself and our community safe and healthy.

Depending on where you live, you might have neighborhood stores like hardware stores, pharmacies, auto shops or paint stores that take back one or more of the following toxic products. Ask at the store where you bought it or use SFRecycles to find a convenient drop off location near you for the following items:

Fluorescent tubes CFL or HID bulbs - many hardware stores take back light bulbs that are hazardous waste
Used motor oil and filters - many auto repair stations and parts stores take back used motor oil and filters
House paint (latex and oil-based)
Household Batteries - alkaline & rechargeable, AA, AAA, D, button batteries, etc. Read this important safety information on storing and transporting batteries.
TV's, Computers, Cell Phones and Electronics
Large electronics: Get information on Recology's free pick-up service for TVs, computer equipment, and other electronics. (Bulky Items)
Small empty propane tanks and cylinders - refillable, single-use. For tanks and cylinders which are not empty, use home pick-up service or permanent facility programs.

Medicine - Medicine disposal is only available at designated neighborhood drop-off sites. Medicines are NOT accepted by Recology's home pick-up service or at Recology's Permanent Facility.
Used and Un-used Needles & Syringes - Get information on safe storage and packaging of "sharps."

ATTENTION: Quantity limits apply. No store takes back all items. Containers must have a label and a lid or cap. No leaking or damaged containers.

Drop off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility

You can take your toxic products to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility:

San Francisco Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
501 Tunnel Ave., San Francisco, CA 94134 (at The Dump)
8 A.M. - 4 P.M. - Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

Requirements

Only San Francisco residents can use this program for hazardous waste from their home. You must bring proof of residence (driver’s license or utility bill).
Limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit
No drums, compressed gas cylinders (except small or BBQ size propane) or containers larger than five (5) gallons
No medicines

Instructions

Pack household chemicals in a sturdy box and transport them in your trunk or truck bed outside of your breathing zone.
Put each leaking or damaged container in a separate box, plastic tub, or zip-lock bag.
Get more information on the San Francisco Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Dangers of Household Hazardous Waste

Old containers of household chemicals can deteriorate and leak, causing dangerous fumes and fires when stored inside your house, or polluting rainwater runoff when stored outside.

When disposed improperly, these products end up in the landfill or down the drain. They can leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the soil and groundwater. Workers can be injured when these products are crushed in garbage and recycling trucks or poured down the drain.

What about empty containers?

Household chemical containers which are empty, dry and five gallons in size or smaller can be safely and legally recycled.

Recycle: Empty cans of aerosol paint and latex paint (acrylic or water-based) may be placed in your blue recycling bin. All nozzles, caps, and lids must be removed and placed separately into the blue recycling bin.
Landfill: Put all other types of empty hazardous waste containers into your black bin for disposal - do not try to recycle these containers.
Call 415.355.3700 for information on recycling empty containers larger than five gallons.