Household Hazardous Waste

HHW is waste from your home 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 HHW that you may have around your home, garage, workshop, or garden that is accepted at the HHW Station, please review the list below.

In 2025, there were 617 first-time visitors at the HHW Station!

HHW Station Accepted Items

Garage / Workshop 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)

Automotive Motor oil  ●  Motor oil filters  ●  Antifreeze  ●  Gasoline (in non-returnable container)  ●  Automotive batteries  ●  Brake cleaners and degreasers

Living Space 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)

Kitchen & Bathroom   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)

Garden / Outdoors   Pesticides  ●  Fertilizers  ●  Pool chemicals

Miscellaneous   Fire extinguishers  ●  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

Not Accepted 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

The HHW Reuse Zone is a reuse program for gently used, good quality household products such as paint, cleaners, unused motor oil, and more that are brought to the HHW Station for disposal. All items in the HHW Reuse Zone have been screened by HHW Station staff.

Open only during HHW Station hours — visitors are allowed to take up to five household products per visit. Residency in Palo Alto is not required to use the HHW Reuse Zone.

The HHW Reuse Zone rescues thousands of pounds of unwanted and unneeded materials from being disposed of each year!

In 2025, over 7,200 lbs of usable HHW was rescued through the HHW Reuse Zone!

Californian's generate 111 million pounds of hazardous household products each year. 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 home and the amount of HHW you produce!

Use a coverage calculator when purchasing paint

When purchasing paint, follow the product directions or ask the sales professionals to help you calculate your coverage amount. This saves you money and you purchase only what you need!

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DIY less-toxic cleaners

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

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Purchase rechargeable batteries instead of single-use

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 HHW!

The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to provide some additional resources for household hazardous waste items that are not accepted at the Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Station.

• All waste containers should be properly secured in your vehicle to avoid falling over and spilling.
• Any leaking containers should be properly contained. Leaking containers can be placed into an unbroken clean container and secured with a lid.
• A plastic garbage bag can be used to keep odors contained during transportation to the HHW Station.
• Keep your vehicle's carpet and upholstery clean by putting down plastic or cardboard.
• Limit 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per visit (in no larger than 5-gallon containers). You may make more than one trip to the HHW collection event.

State Law prohibits the transportation of more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste without a State hazardous waste hauler permit (HSC 25218.5.1). This law helps keep you and the roads safe from potential spills and chemical releases.

Home collection of household hazardous waste is a service available for residents with physical limitations.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Download a Physical Limitations Application or call (650) 496-5910 to request an application.
• You will need a doctor's signature confirming your physical limitation.
• Once approved, call (650) 329-2669 to schedule your collection appointment.