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Household Hazardous Waste

Do you have an old paint can hanging around the house? Are you wondering what you should do with your outdated computer? The fact is, a lot of household items can become dangerous when you simply put them in the trash.

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste."  Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them. Improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a health threat.

Check out our recycling locator to find the nearest Household Hazardous Waste Center (HHWC). For a listing of what’s accepted at a HHWC, click here.

 

How to use Orange County’s Household Hazardous Waste Centers

Collection Center Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed major holidays and rainy days.

Anaheim

1071 N. Blue Gum Street Anaheim, CA 92806 At CVT Recycling Center, on Southwest Corner of La Palma Ave. & Blue Gum St. near junction of 57 and 91Freeways.

Huntington Beach

17121 Nichols Street-Gate 6 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 At Rainbow Disposal, south of Warner Ave. between Beach Blvd. and Gothard St.

Irvine

6411 Oak Canyon Irvine, CA 92618 Next to City of Irvine Corporate Yard & Bark Park. From I-5 exit Sand Canyon. Go west to Oak Canyon and turn right.

San Juan Capistrano

32250 La Pata Avenue San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Exit I-5 at Ortega Highway (SR-74). Go east to La Pata Ave. Turn right and continue to landfill entrance.

For your safety, please observe the following regulations in preparing for your visit to the HHWC:

  • A maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds may be transported per vehicle, per trip (Department of Transportation Requirement). It is illegal to exceed these limits.
  • Containers larger than five gallons will not be accepted.
  • Containers will NOT be returned, except for oil containers, upon request.
  • Materials should be in original containers (except motor oil, fuels and antifreeze).
  • All containers must have lids, be sturdy, non-leaking, labeled and protected from breakage.
  • Do not combine different types of waste.
  • Do not mix oil-base paint with latex paint.
  • Empty containers with lids removed can be discarded in trash.

When you arrive at the Center, you must remain in your vehicle while a technician removes the material for you.

What to bring to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center

Cleaning Products

Bleach (laundry), Drain cleaners, Oven cleaners, Pool chemicals, Toilet cleaners, Tub, tile, shower cleaners, Wood and metal cleaners and polishes, Lawn and Garden Products, Fungicides/wood preservatives, Herbicides, Insecticides

Workshop/Painting Supplies

Adhesives and glues, Aerosol cans, Fixatives and other solvents, Furniture strippers, Oil or enamel-based paint, Paint strippers and removers, Paint thinners and turpentine, Photographic chemicals, Stains and finishes

Miscellaneous

Batteries, Compact Fluorescent Tubes, Driveway sealer, Fluorescent light bulbs, Mercury thermostats or thermometers, Sharps (hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets)

Automotive Products

Air conditioning refrigerants, Antifreeze, Automotive batteries, Carburetor and fuel injection cleaners, Fuel additives, Motor oil, Starter fluids, Transmission and brake fluid

Indoor Pesticides

Ant sprays and baits, Bug sprays, Cockroach sprays and baits, Flea repellents and shampoos, Houseplant insecticides, Moth repellents, Mouse and rat poisons and baits

Other Flammable Products

CO2 cartridges (lecture bottle or smaller), Diesel fuel Fire Extinguishers under 40 lbs., Gas/oil mix, Helium tanks, Home heating oil, Kerosene Lighter fluid, Propane tanks (5-gallon or smaller)

e-waste

Alarm clocks, Blood glucose monitors (sterilized), Camcorders, CD players, Cell phones, Computer monitors (CRTs & flat screens), Computers/CPUs/laptops* Copiers (home use, desktop), Digital cameras* Digital thermometers, Display boards on exercise equipment, DVD players, Hand-held electronic devices, Home-use medical monitors, I-Pods & MP3 players,* Microwave ovens (home use), PDAs* *Remove data before disposal. Programmable kitchen appliances, Pagers Printer/scanner/fax, Radios of all types (car & home), Stereos (no speakers), Telephones & answering machines Televisions (CRTs & flat screens), VCRs, Video game consoles & accessories, Walkie-talkies

HHW Centers cannot accept the following items:

Asbestos, Ammunition, Biological waste Commercial Waste Explosives High-pressure cylinders (acetylene, oxygen, air tanks—SCUBA or SCBA), Radioactive materials, Tires
 

Additional HHW services may be available through your city. Contact your city’s recycling coordinator to find out other ways to dispose of your household hazardous waste items in your community. 

Disposal of expired and unused medicine

Most medicines used in a home are not considered hazardous waste. They can be disposed of in the trash after being secured in durable packaging. Specific disposal instructions can be found at www.oclandfills.com.

 

Notice

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers are not permitted to accept waste from businesses, churches, schools, nonprofit organizations or government agencies.

More information about household hazardous waste disposal is available at www.oclandfills.com.