Hazardous waste can have extreme impacts on human health and safety and the environment when placed into curbside collection containers. We facilitate environmentally safe and cost-effective appointments for businesses or non-profit organizations that generate small quantities of hazardous waste through the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program. Dispose responsibly with us — we make it easy to do the right thing!
Hazardous waste is waste from your business or non-profit organization that is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive based on its chemical properties. These include products such as batteries, paint, solvents, fertilizers, fluorescent lights, household cleaners, and more. For more examples of hazardous waste that you may have around your establishment that is accepted during drop-off appointments, please review the list below.
Paints (latex & oil based) ● Aerosol cans (full or partially full, empty go in the blue recycle cart) ● Paint thinners and solvents ● Compressed gas cylinders (propane, butane, MAPP) ● Lubricants ● Helium gas cylinders (ex: party time tanks used for filling balloons)
Motor oil ● Motor oil filters ● Antifreeze ● Gasoline (in non-returnable container) ● Automotive batteries ● Brake cleaners and degreasers
Fluorescent light bulbs, tubes, and ballasts (ballasts labeled as non-PCB go in the blue recycle cart) ● LED light bulbs ● Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt) ● Lithium and lithium-ion batteries (hearing aid, camera, cordless tools, etc.) ● Small electronics with embedded batteries (cell phones, tablets, toothbrushes, etc.) ● Mercury waste (thermometers, thermostats, switches)
Cleaners (disinfecting, bleach, carpet, window/mirror, ammonia, etc.) ● Cooking oil and grease (in non-returnable container) ● Medications (no controlled substances) ● Household injection needles (must be in rigid plastic container with sealed lid)
Pesticides ● Fertilizers ● Pool chemicals
Fire extinguishers ● Dental amalgam ● Electronic cigarettes and vape devices (nicotine only) ● Asbestos (wetted and double bagged in bags no larger than 3' x 3' x 3' — 2 bags maximum) ● Road flares
Electronics without embedded batteries (televisions, monitors, microwave, etc.) ● Large gas cylinders (over 5 gallons in size) ● Cylinders containing gases other than propane, butane, helium, or MAPP gas ● Radioactive waste ● Infectious waste (containing body tissues or fluids) ● Controlled substances ● Explosive waste ● Marine flares ● Fireworks ● Ammunition ● Pressure treated wood
Qualified businesses and non-profit organizations may be eligible to drop off hazardous waste as part of the City of Palo Alto’s Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program. Please follow these steps to confirm eligibility and participate in the program.
- Must be a business or non-profit organization (painting contractors, photo labs, machine shops, dental offices, retail stores, etc.) - Must generate 220 lbs. or less of hazardous waste per month (or 2.2 lbs. or less of extremely hazardous waste) - Must be located in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, Los Altos, or Los Altos Hills. *Hazardous waste generator status is self-determined based on monthly hazardous waste generation. Businesses that generate more than 220 lbs. of hazardous waste or 2.2 lbs. of extremely hazardous waste in any given month are not considered a VSQG and must comply with the State's regulatory requirements for their appropriate generator status.
Complete an Inventory Form(PDF, 138KB). This allows the City’s disposal contractor, Clean Harbors, to generate an accurate cost estimate for the hazardous waste your business wants to drop off.
If you do not already have a Hazardous Waste Identification number, review the State Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) website to obtain one.
Call or email Clean Harbors to submit your completed inventory form and receive a cost estimate and credit card authorization form.
After reviewing the cost estimate, schedule a drop-off appointment with Clean Harbors and pay your associated disposal fees. Appointments are typically scheduled on Saturdays following the residential HHW drop-off hours at 11 a.m.
Arrive promptly for your appointment with the required documentation and appropriate records. All waste should be secured in your vehicle to prevent spills during transportation and be accessible to the technicians who will remove the waste from your vehicle.
Use less toxic/hazardous alternatives whenever you can and only purchase those toxic/hazardous products in small quantities and use them to completion. Find tips below to help you reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals you have in your business and the amount of hazardous waste you produce!
Zero out hazardous waste and packaging from common household cleaner products in disposable bottles. Using low-cost natural ingredients, you can mix your own, save money, reduce toxics, and store them in reusable spray bottles or jars! Download a printable version of DIY non-toxic cleaner recipes(PDF, 1MB).
All-purpose cleaner recipe
1 tbsp. white vinegar + ½ tsp. borax + ½ tsp. baking soda + ½ tbsp. castile soap + 2 cups hot water Add the first four ingredients into a spray bottle, then slowly add the hot water and shake until the dry ingredients are dissolved
Scrubbing powder recipe
½ cup baking soda + ½ cup salt + ½ cup borax powder
Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar (for really bad messes). Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes. Scrub with a sturdy brush until clean. Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)
Glass cleaner recipe
1 cup white vinegar + 1 cup rubbing alcohol + 2 cups water
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and use to clean glass and mirror surfaces
Rechargeable batteries can be charged and reused hundreds and sometimes thousands of times. If batteries must be used, consider purchasing rechargeable to cut down on single-use hazardous waste!
Got a tough drain clog? Use a metal snake instead of a caustic drain cleaner. The impact on the waterways and water treatment plant will be greatly reduced and you won't have any hazardous waste to dispose of!
The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to provide some additional resources for hazardous waste items that are not accepted through our VSQG program.
State Law prohibits the transportation of more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste without a State hazardous waste hauler permit (HSC 25218.5.1). The law helps keep you and the roads safe from potential spills and chemical releases.
Hours Saturdays by appointment only Address 2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA VSQG Requirements and Guidelines
Legal Responsibilities
If your business qualifies as a VSQG, there are certain legal requirements regarding storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. It is the VSQG’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of and follow these requirements including any reporting and recordkeeping.
Contact Clean Harbors to schedule a drop-off appointment or ask questions
Email
VSQG@cleanharbors.com
Phone
(800) 433-5060