Household Hazardous Waste
SERVICE UPDATE: Hours and Appointment: The facility will be open for appointments on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting April 1, 2026, in addition to existing Saturday hours.
On this page:
City of San Diego residents may dispose of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) by appointment only at the HHW Transfer Facility free of charge. Please bring proof of City residency, a picture identification or a recent bill showing your name and address.
Accepted household hazardous waste (HHW) includes leftover, unused products labeled as toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive, such as paints, cleaners, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, electronics, and mercury devices
Visitors must adhere to onsite personnel instructions and store hazardous materials for drop-off in the car trunk or truck bed for easy access. Due to the volume of landfill and recycle center visitors, traffic delays may occur.
Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility
Improperly disposed household hazardous waste (HHW) is illegal and harms the environment, sanitation workers, and family health. Items labeled Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable, or Corrosive must be taken to dedicated, often free, local collection facilities, not thrown in the trash poured down drains.
Disposal Options
E-Waste (Electronics)
Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes household or office electronic devices in working or non-working condition that are no longer used. E-Waste is known to contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which if placed in the landfill, can harm people and the environment. Examples of e-waste include:
- Cell Phones
- Computers
- Laptops
- Monitors
- Printers
- Home Electronics
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility does not accept electronic waste.
Household Batteries
All types of batteries are considered hazardous waste in California. Batteries may contain metals including cadmium, lead, lithium, mercury, nickel, silver and zinc. According to state law, batteries and other types of universal waste must be handled properly and are not allowed to be disposed of at the solid waste landfill.
Where to Recycle Batteries
Recycling Events
The City of San Diego offers eight (8) one-day battery and bulb collection events in the spring and fall. Please see the link below for upcoming event dates.
View event locations and dates.
Other Recycling Options Near You
Do you have E-Bike batteries or need other options to recycle household batteries near you?
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City of San Diego accepts all types of home use and automotive batteries at their HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
Battery Storage
Store used batteries sorted by type (alkaline, lithium, nickel-cadmium, etc.) in a safe, dry place and out of the reach of children. Use zip-lock bags or a plastic container with a lid. For an extra measure of safety, place clear tape over the battery terminals (battery ends). If a battery is damaged or leaking, immediately place the leaking battery into a plastic or zip lock bag and isolate from other batteries. Wear protective gloves when handling damaged batteries and wash your hands.
Lightbulbs and Lamps
All lamps and bulbs other than incandescent bulbs require proper disposal. These items contain mercury and other heavy metals that can be harmful to people and the environment.
Where to Recycle Lamps and Bulbs
The City of San Diego offers eight (8) one-day Collection Events every year. Lamps and bulbs are accepted at these events.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City of San Diego accepts fluorescent lamps/bulbs, compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at their HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only. Incandescent lightbulbs do not contain toxic chemicals, so you may dispose of them with your regular trash. You do, however, need to be careful of glass shards just as you would when disposing of any other glass objects.
Information on Fluorescent Lamps and CFLs
How to Handle Fluorescent Lamps and CFLs - California Department of Toxic Substances Control
Medications
Prescription medications must be disposed of properly. Check the links below for a location near you.
- San Diego Police Prescription Drug Drop-off Program
- Prescription painkiller disposal drop-off locations
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City accepts over-the-counter or prescription medication at HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
Note: Prescription painkillers are NOT accepted at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility. All other medications are accepted.
Motor Oil and Oil Filters
Used oil and oil filters require special handling!
CalRecycle Locations
CalRecycle encourages the recycling of used oil and oil filters at Used Oil Certified Collection Centers throughout the state.
Find an oil recycling location
Note: Please don't mix your used oil with anything. Contaminated oil is not accepted at CalRecycle locations.
One-Day Collection Events
The City of San Diego offers eight (8) One Day Collection Events throughout the year beginning in the spring and again in the fall.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City of San Diego accepts used oil and oil filters at its HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
Oil Filter Facts
(Source: CalRecycle)
- Each year, the U.S. generates 425 million used automotive oil filters containing 18 million gallons of oil.
- Recycling all the oil filters sold annually in the United States would result in the recovery of about 160,000 tons of steel, or enough steel, to make 16 new stadiums the size of Atlanta's Turner Stadium.
- Used oil filters can contain more than 45% used motor oil in weight when removed from the vehicle.
Paint Recycling and Disposal
Learn more about how and where to properly dispose your unused or surplus paints:
PaintCare California drop-off locations
Most PaintCare California locations have a 5-gallon limit on the quantity of architectural paint they can accept. Paint containers must be 5-gallon in size or smaller. Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers are not accepted at PaintCare California drop-off sites.
There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare California drop-off site.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City of San Diego accepts unused and surplus paints at no charge to residents at its HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
PaintCare California
PaintCare California is funded by a “PaintCare Fee” which is added to the purchase price of new paint sold in California. The fees are based on container size as follows:
| Container Size | PaintCare Fee |
|---|---|
| Half pint or smaller | NO FEE |
| Larger than half pint and smaller than 1 gallon | $0.30 |
| 1 to 2 Gallons | $0.65 |
| Larger than 2 gallons up to 5 gallons | $1.50 |
Propane Gas Cylinders
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City of San Diego accepts propane gas cylinders at its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility by appointment only.
The following gas cylinders are NOT accepted at the City's HHW Transfer Facility:
Oxygen
SCUBA Tanks (breathing air)
Supplied Air Tanks
Acetylene (or any welding gases)
Calibration Gases
Refrigerant Gases
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
For assistance with the proper disposal of these types of cylinders, please call the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000.
Needles, Lancets and Sharps
Home-generated sharps waste is defined as hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, acupuncture needles, lancets and other devices used to penetrate the skin. As of Sept. 1, 2008, California State Law prohibits the disposal of home-generated sharps into any container used for trash, recycling or green waste.
Learn more about properly disposing of needles, lancets and sharps by viewing this informational brochure. Spanish version
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
The City accepts needles, lancets and sharps at the HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
Visit the Police webpage for information on the Prescription Drug Drop-Off Program.
Other questions?
Call 858-694-7000 for info on:
- Loads larger than 50 pounds;
- Containers larger than 5 gallons;
- Leaky or open containers;
- Products you cannot identify;
- Special services for elderly or disabled residents without available transportation; and
- Resources for the disposal of wastes are not accepted.
For Non-City of San Diego Residents
- San Diego County residents living in unincorporated areas, please call 877-713-2784.
- Residents in other cities should contact their city or Earth 911
- List of Cities and Communities Outside of San Diego (PDF)