Throw away your toxic products safely. Fluorescent Bulbs, HID & Neon and Ballasts, All Batteries, Chemicals & Cleanser, Oil-soaked Rags, Pesticides, Spraying Caps, Paint, Thinners & Solvents, Car Fluids, Filters Oil, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Throw away your toxic products safely.
Every household has toxic products. Old containers of household chemicals can break down and leak, resulting in harmful chemicals in the air and burning when you store them indoors, or contaminating the rainwater drain when you put it outside.
If disposal is not correct, they end up in a landfill (dump) or in a drain (where dirty water falls). It is possible that toxic chemicals and heavy metals (dense metals such as mercury and lead) can reach the ground and underground water. It is also possible to injure workers when these products are squeezed into trucks for waste and recycling.
Safe Disposal Options
NOTE: These special services for toxic household products are FOR San Francisco residents ONLY. Find other programs in the Bay Area counties. (In English)
Free Home Pick Up Service
ACCEPTANCE: You can dispose of oil-based paints, solvents, detergents, pesticides, fertilizers, vehicle products, photo chemicals, mercury thermometers, and other aerosols with free home remedies.
Call Recology at (415) 330-1405 to schedule a Free Home Pick-up from your San Francisco home. An appointment can be made on Saturday. You must be present at the time of retrieval.
RECEIVED: Old and outdated Drugs and Needles of the home pick up service cannot be collected. Click here for information on safe disposal of drugs. Home pick up services cannot collect unknown or unmarked substances that are toxic or dangerous. They need to be taken to the facility for hazardous waste of households.
Places to Take to Your Community
Depending on where you live, you may still have community stores such as hardware, drugstores, auto shops or paint stores that accept returns of one or more of the following toxic products. Ask at the store where you bought it or use RecycleWhere (in English) to find places near you for the following items:
Home paint (latex or oil-based)
Fluorescent tubes and light bulbs
Used Motor Oil and Filters - Find a place near your used motor oil and filter.
Used and unused needles and syringes- Get information about safely storing and inserting "sharps" (sharp objects). (in English)
Small Gas Tanks and Cylinders Empty- Note: for tanks and cylinders that are still empty, use the home pick up service or permanent facility programs.
Home Batteries- alkaline and rechargeable, AA, AAA, D, button-like batteries and more. Read this important information about storing and transporting batteries. batteries. (in English)
TVs, Computers, Cell Phones and Other Electronic Items - Large Electronics: Get information about free home pickup services for TVs and other large electronics. (in English)
Medicines- Medication can only be disposed of in designated areas of the community. Home Pick-up Services or Permanent Facility drugs are NOT accepted.
NOTE: There are limits on number or quantity. No store takes all the stuff. All containers must have a label. Containers must be free of leaks or defects.
Facility for Hazardous Waste from Households
You may cause your products to be toxic to the Hazardous Waste Facility:
San Francisco Household Hazardous Drums, cylinders for compressed gas (except propane) or containers larger than five (5) gallons may not be used
Medications are not allowed
Put your household chemicals in a sturdy box and transport them inside the trunk of your car or in the back of the truck, where you cannot inhale them.
Place each leaking or broken container in a separate box, plastic tub, or zip-lock bag.
What to do with empty containers?
Containers of chemicals used in households can be safely and legally recycled if they are empty, dry or larger for 5 gallons or less.
Recycle: Empty aerosol and latex paint cans (acrylic or water-based) can be placed in your blue recycling bin. All nozzles, nozzles, and lids should be removed and placed separately in the blue recycling bin.
Landfill: Put all empty waste containers in your black bin for disposal - do not try to recycle these containers.
Better Than Recycling: Less, More Frequent Reuse
To avoid worrying about storing and disposing of hazardous waste from households:
All you have to do is buy it.
Share unused products or containers just halfway with your friends and neighbors.
Consume the products you buy.
