Hazardous Waste

Drop Off Centers

Many common household products contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Whenthese products are no longer needed they become "Household Hazardous Waste." Examples include paint, solvents, pesticides, household batteries, cleaning products, and auto care products. It is dangerous and illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the garbage, down the drain or on the ground.

The City's Household Hazardous Waste Drop off facility at 605 Dimeo Lane is run by Santa Cruz County. For more information, visit Household Hazardous Waste.

The Santa Cruz Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Site, located at the Resource Recovery Facility, 605 Dimeo Lane, was recently improved to include a new secondary containment area with a chemical resistant coating. The project was partially funded by a grant from CalRecycle.

Regular hours are Saturdays only from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop off is free.

Transportation Limits: The maximum amount you can transport to our City of Santa Cruz HHW is 15 gallons liquid or 125 pounds solid of hazardous materials per vehicle trip. These requirements are due to storage capacity limits, state regulations, and for your safety.

Attention: Place HHW in a plastic bin or box lined with a plastic trash can liner. This will keep them from tipping or leaking. As you pack your container, do not mix solids with liquids. (Containers will not be returned) Each container size must be 5 gallons or less

Accepted Items

  • Latex &oil-based paints
  • Motor oil, oil filters& antifreeze limit of 5 gallons per visit
  • Fluorescent tubes & bulbs limit of 25 tubes/bulbs per visit
  • Cleaning products
  • Solvents & flammable liquids
  • Emergency road flares
  • Non-empty aerosols
  • Automotive products
  • Pesticides and herbicides
  • Pool, hot tub, & spa chemicals
  • Photo chemicals
  • Thermometers & other mercury-containing devices

Not Accepted Items

  • No Latex or oil based paint greater than 15 gallons per visit. Visit PaintCare's take back program for additional locations.
  • No Motor oil greater than 5 gallons per visit. Visit CalRecycle's oil take back program for additional locations.
  • No Medicines or sharps. Visit Med-Project to safely dispose of medicines and sharps.
  • No Reactive wastes
  • No Radioactive materials
  • No Explosives or ammunition (includes marine flares)
  • No Compressed gas cylinders over 1 lb
  • No Infectious wastes

Additional Information

For information on proper disposal of hazardous items not accepted at the HHW Facilities, please contact County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services at 831-454-2022. Hazardous or Designated Wastes are described in CCR Titles 22 and 23 specifies Class I and Class II wastes.

Proper disposal of Medicines and Sharps is important and easy.

To dispose of explosives or ammunition contact the City of Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-420-5800.

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