Alameda County residents can drop off household hazardous waste for free at any of four facilities — no appointment needed. The service is fast, safe, and funded by a modest annual fee of $7.80 per household.
How It Works
- Pack it up. Place hazardous items in sturdy, sealed containers. Keep chemicals separate — don't mix different products. Each container should be 5 gallons or 50 pounds max.
- Drive to any facility. Choose whichever location is most convenient. Bring a valid ID showing your Alameda County address (driver's license, utility bill, or lease agreement). No appointment needed.
- Stay in your car. Pull up, pop your trunk or open your cargo area, and let our staff do the rest. You stay in your vehicle — that's state law — and we handle the unloading.
That's it. In and out.
Four Facilities Across the County
| Facility | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 2100 East 7th Street | Wed–Fri: 9 AM–2:30 PM Sat: 9 AM–4 PM |
| Hayward | 2091 West Winton Ave. | Thu–Fri: 9 AM–2:30 PM Sat: 9 AM–4 PM |
| Livermore | 5584 La Ribera St. | Thu–Fri: 9 AM–2:30 PM Sat: 9 AM–4 PM |
| Fremont | 41149 Boyce Road | Wed–Fri: 8:30 AM–2:30 PM Sat: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
All facilities are closed Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays.
What You Can Bring
Facilities accept a wide range of household hazardous materials, including:
- Batteries — household, rechargeable, lithium, car
- Paint & coatings — latex, oil-based, stains, varnishes, thinners
- Electronics — computers, monitors, TVs, phones, small appliances
- Automotive products — motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
- Garden & pest chemicals — pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, pool chemicals
- Household cleaners — drain cleaners, oven cleaners, ammonia, bleach
- Fluorescent lighting — CFLs, tubes, mercury bulbs
- Propane tanks — 5 gallons or smaller
- Sharps — needles, syringes, lancets (in puncture-proof containers)
- Aerosol cans — spray paint, household sprays
- HHW facilities cannot accept medications, large appliances, construction materials, explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, large compressed gas cylinders, or business waste.
Some Items Don't Need HHW
Several common items have convenient alternatives closer to home:
- Batteries — Many cities accept household batteries curbside in a clear bag on top of your recycling cart. Retailers and Call2Recycle locations also accept them. Batteries fact sheet
- Motor oil — CalRecycle certified collection centers and many auto parts stores accept used motor oil and filters for free. Some cities offer curbside pickup. Motor oil fact sheet
- Medications — Over 80 pharmacy locations across Alameda County have self-service drug disposal kiosks. Medicine fact sheet
Businesses and Multifamily Properties
- Businesses: Alameda County offers hazardous waste disposal for qualifying small businesses, including an express drop-in service. Business hazardous waste
- Residential landlords: A separate free program is available for rental property owners. Landlord hazardous waste.
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LOCAL EVENTS
One-Day Drop-off Events
Can't make it to a facility during the week? Free one-day drop-off events are held throughout the county — approximately 12 per year at rotating locations. Events also accept medications and controlled substances, which permanent facilities cannot.