A complete guide to what you can and can't bring to Alameda County HHW facilities. For items not listed here, search the RE:Source Guide.

Accepted Materials

  • Motor oil and lubricants
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel
  • Antifreeze and coolant
  • Transmission and brake fluid
  • Car batteries
  • Oil filters

  • Latex paint
  • Oil-based paint
  • Stains and varnishes
  • Paint thinners and solvents
  • Roofing tar
  • Adhesives and glues
  • Wood preservatives

  • Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Lithium batteries
  • Button cell batteries
  • Car batteries

Many batteries also have convenient alternatives like curbside pickup and retail drop-off.

  • Computers and laptops
  • Monitors and TVs
  • Printers and scanners
  • Cell phones and tablets
  • Small appliances
  • Audio/video equipment
  • Cables and chargers

  • Pesticides and insecticides
  • Herbicides and weed killers
  • Fungicides
  • Chemical fertilizers
  • Pool and spa chemicals
  • Rodent poisons

  • Drain cleaners
  • Oven cleaners
  • Toilet bowl cleaners
  • Ammonia products
  • Bleach and disinfectants
  • Furniture polish
  • Metal cleaners

  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
  • Fluorescent tubes and ballasts (all sizes)
  • Mercury-containing bulbs
  • String lights
  • LED bulbs

  • Propane tanks (5 gallons or smaller)
  • Camping fuel canisters
  • Small compressed gas cylinders

Completely empty aerosol cans can go in your garbage.
  • Spray paint
  • Personal care products
  • Household sprays
  • Lubricants

  • Syringes and needles
  • Lancets
  • Sharps containers

Place sharps in a rigid, puncture-proof container before bringing them to a facility. More about sharps disposal

  • Fire extinguishers (residential size)
  • Smoke detectors
  • Mercury thermometers and thermostats
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Fiberglass resins

Not Accepted

HHW facilities cannot accept medications. Instead, use one of 80+ pharmacy drop-off locations throughout Alameda County with self-service kiosks. Medicine disposal guide

Refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and water heaters cannot be accepted. Contact your garbage hauler for bulky pickup options. Bulky items guide

  • Treated wood waste and railroad ties — Treated wood guide
  • Construction and demolition debris
  • Asbestos-containing materials

  • Explosives and ammunition
  • Radioactive materials
  • Compressed gas cylinders larger than 5 gallons

HHW facilities are for household waste only. Businesses must use the Business Hazardous Waste Service.

Quantity Limits

  • Per visit: 125 pounds or 15 gallons total
  • Per container: 5 gallons or 50 pounds max

Identifying Hazardous Products

Not sure if something is hazardous? Look for these warning words on the label:

  • Danger
  • Warning
  • Caution
  • Poisonous
  • Flammable
  • Corrosive
  • Toxic

Questions?

Call the HHW hotline at (800) 606-6606 or search the RE:Source Guide for disposal options.
Search RE:Source Guide