How do I safely get rid of old paint, batteries, and other household hazardous waste?

If you’re in the Portland area, the easiest option is Metro’s household hazardous-waste program. It’s free for households and accepts paint, batteries, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs, and many other hazardous products.

Where to take it

• Metro Central Hazardous Waste — 6161 NW 61st Ave., Portland. Household hazardous-waste hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Saturday.
• Metro South Transfer Station — 2001 Washington St., Oregon City. The co-located hazardous-waste facility is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.

There's a 35-gallon-per-day limit, measured by container size, and individual containers should generally be smaller than 5 gallons.

For your specific items

Paint: Don't pour it down a drain or put liquid paint in the garbage. Metro accepts paint, stains, sealants, thinners and related products. Oregon also has PaintCare drop-off locations for eligible architectural paint.

Batteries: Keep them out of both garbage and recycling. For batteries that aren't clearly labeled alkaline, Metro recommends taping both ends with clear tape and storing them in a 1-quart zip-top bag. Lithium-ion batteries deserve particular care because damaged batteries can cause fires.

If a lithium battery is swollen, damaged or leaking, don't put it in a bag with other batteries; Metro recommends placing it in a hard plastic container with absorbent material such as cat litter or sand.

Other common hazardous items: pesticides, fertilizers, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, aerosol cans, fluorescent bulbs, solvents, adhesives and many household cleaners can also go through Metro's hazardous-waste program.

Before you transport it

• Keep products in their original containers with labels intact.
• Keep containers upright and secured in a sturdy box.
• Don't mix different chemicals together.
• Put leaking containers in a secondary bag/container.
• Don't bring containers larger than 5 gallons.
• Be aware that Metro may keep the containers you bring them in.

One important exception: EV and hybrid-car batteries aren't accepted at Metro's household hazardous-waste facilities; Metro recommends contacting the vehicle dealership.

If you tell me what specific items you have (e.g., “3 cans of latex paint, AA batteries, a half-full bottle of weed killer, and fluorescent tubes”), I can tell you exactly how I'd sort and prepare each one.

Here are top web results for exploring this topic:

Waste Management·https://www.wm.com**Household Hazardous Waste** Recycling & Disposal | WM At Your Door Special Collection®. In some communities, WM can pick up electronics, paints, chemicals, motor oil and more right from your home. WM's At Your Door Special Collection® service makes it ea Missouri Department of Natural Resources (.gov)·https://dnr.mo.gov**Household Hazardous Waste** | Missouri Department of Natural ...Ordinary products such as cleaning products, batteries, light bulbs, paint, pesticides and motor oil can be harmful and potentially dangerous if disposed incorrectly. Some products may cause fires or Illinois EPA (.gov)·https://epa.illinois.gov**Household Hazardous Wastes** HHW Fact Sheet - Co-Sponsor · Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Disposal. Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are materials that are residentially generated but potentially have the dangerous properties of ha YouTube·https://www.youtube.com**Hazardous Waste** at Home: Paint , Cleaners, Oil & More - YouTube We take you around a local HHW recycling facility to see what happens to everything from paint thinner to old batteries once they leave your home. Along the way, we break down what qualifies as hazard Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (.gov)·https://epa.ohio.gov**Dispose** of Hazardous Waste - Ohio EPA Never recycle or dispose of aerosol cans or propane gas cylinders unless they are empty. Many household recycling opportunities accept empty aerosol cans. If the product is non-toxic, the remaining ae Charleston County Government (.gov)·https://www.charlestoncounty.gov**Household Hazardous Waste** (HHW ) Recycling - Charleston County Household hazardous waste (HHW) can harm the environment, especially when disposed of incorrectly. To make getting rid of these materials safe and easy, the Charleston County Environmental Management www.oregonmetro.gov·https://www.oregonmetro.gov/waste-disposal-and-prevention/need-get-rid-something/household-hazardous-waste/common-hazardous Common household hazardous products - Portland - Metro ... pets, and the environment if not handled or disposed of properly. This page includes a list of common household hazardous waste items accepted at Metro's hazardous waste facilities. It's not a com Salt Lake County (.gov)·https://www.saltlakecounty.gov**Safe** Disposal - Household Hazardous Waste - Salt Lake County Common Household Batteries. Alkaline batteries (such as common AA, AAA, C, and D batteries) are generally not hazardous and can be disposed of in your trash can if you follow these precautions: Gather the Green Project·https://www.thegreenproject.org**Paint** Disposal Guide - the Green Project If you don't want to empty it yourself, you may wait for your local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day and dispose of it there. P1040619.jpg. Mistakes to Avoid. There are several things you shou City of Palo Alto (.gov)·https://www.paloalto.gov**Household Hazardous Waste** - City of Palo Alto HHW Station. HHW Station attendant removing items from trunk of car. HHW is waste from your home that is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive based on its chemical properties. These include produc

If you’re in the Camden, NJ area, the safest approach is to separate ordinary household waste from true household hazardous waste (HHW). Camden County runs dedicated HHW collection events, and the City of Camden specifically says toxic waste is not picked up with regular household trash.

Paint

• Latex/water-based paint: If there’s only a small amount left, let it dry completely—leaving the lid off in a well-ventilated place, or mixing in kitty litter, sawdust, or paint hardener. Once it is completely hard, Camden County guidance says it can go in regular trash.
• Oil-based paint, stain, varnish, paint thinner, solvents, and spray paint: Treat these as hazardous waste and take them to a Camden County HHW event. Don't pour paint or solvents down a drain, onto the ground, or into a storm drain.
• If usable, consider giving leftover paint to someone who can use it rather than disposing of it.

Batteries

• Lithium-ion/rechargeable batteries: Don't put them in the trash or curbside recycling. Camden County accepts loose rechargeable and single-use lithium batteries at its HHW events; participating battery-recycling locations are another option.
• Button cells and lead-acid batteries: Take them to an appropriate HHW/battery collection location.
• Ordinary alkaline AA, AAA, C, D and 9V batteries: Camden County says these can go in regular trash, not the recycling bin.
• For loose rechargeable/button batteries, tape the terminals or individually bag the batteries to prevent short circuits during transport.
• If a lithium battery is swollen, leaking, hot, or damaged, don't put it in a normal collection box or transport it casually; contact the appropriate hazardous-waste program for handling instructions.

Other things that generally belong at HHW collection

Camden County's program covers materials such as pesticides, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, brake/transmission fluid, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, mercury-containing items, aerosols, and various solvents/chemicals.

Camden County option

Camden County has 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection events for county residents, with proof of residency required. The county's current event listing shows an upcoming collection on September 19, 2026, with new hours of 8:30 AM–2:00 PM, rain or shine.

For transport, keep containers closed and upright, separate incompatible chemicals, and put the material in the trunk or truck bed so it can't roll or spill. Never mix chemicals together just to consolidate them. EPA likewise recommends using community HHW programs rather than putting hazardous materials down drains or on the ground.

If you tell me what specific items you have (e.g., 3 cans of latex paint, oil-based paint, AA batteries, lithium tool batteries, old gasoline, fluorescent bulbs), I can tell you exactly what to do with each one and where to take it near you.

Safely disposing of household hazardous waste (HHW) requires taking your items to specialized local collection programs rather than tossing them in the regular trash or pouring them down the drain. Here is a clear guide on how to handle these materials safely:

• Identify the Materials : Household hazardous waste includes leftover paint (oil-based), rechargeable and single-use batteries, household cleaners, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and fluorescent light bulbs.
• Check Local Collection Programs : Most cities or counties host designated HHW collection days, permanent drop-off facilities, or special recycling programs. You can use the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find nearby drop-off locations tailored to specific materials like paint and batteries.
• Retailer Take-Back Programs : Many local hardware and electronics stores (such as Home Depot, Lowe's , or Best Buy ) accept rechargeable batteries, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and sometimes old electronics or paint for free recycling. Check store drop-off bins near the entrance.
• Prepare Items for Transport : Keep products in their original containers with labels intact if possible. Never mix different chemicals together. For leaking batteries, place them individually in clear plastic bags or tape the terminals with non-conductive electrical tape.
• Follow Transport Safety : Secure containers upright in the trunk of your vehicle or the bed of a truck, away from passengers and pets, so they cannot tip over or spill during the drive.

If you share your city or ZIP code , I can help you find specific disposal sites or upcoming collection events near you.

If you're in New Jersey, the safest approach is to keep hazardous materials out of ordinary trash and recycling unless NJ guidance specifically says they're acceptable.

Paint

• Latex/water-based paint: If there's only a small amount left, let it completely dry/solidify (with an appropriate paint hardener if needed), then follow your municipality's rules for disposal.
• Oil-based paint, stains, varnishes, thinners, and solvents: Treat these as household hazardous waste (HHW). Don't pour them down a drain or onto the ground.
• Keep paint in its original, labeled container and don't mix different products.

Batteries

• Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries: Recycle them through a battery collection program rather than putting them in household trash or curbside recycling. Tape terminals or individually bag batteries to prevent short circuits.
• Car/lead-acid batteries: Don't put them in the trash. NJ requires them to be returned to an appropriate retailer or HHW collection site/event.
• Ordinary alkaline batteries are generally allowed in NJ household trash under current state guidance, although recycling them is preferable where convenient.
• Don't put loose lithium batteries in a recycling bin—they can cause fires.

Other common household hazardous waste

Bring items such as pesticides, pool chemicals, gasoline/fuels, fluorescent bulbs, mercury-containing items, and many automotive chemicals to an HHW collection program rather than putting them in the trash. Keep incompatible chemicals separated and in their original containers whenever possible.

If you're in the Irvington/Essex County area

NJDEP lists Irvington's recycling coordinator at 973-399-6693 and maintains a current county/municipal recycling locator.

For electronics, NJDEP currently lists Irvington DPW, 406 Coit Street, as a municipal collection site for covered electronic devices, with listed hours of Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–noon. That is an e-waste site, not a general HHW drop-off, so call before taking paint or chemicals there.

One important rule: never mix leftover chemicals together just to get rid of them, and never transfer an unknown chemical into an unmarked container.

If you tell me what specific items you have (e.g., half-full paint cans, lithium batteries, motor oil, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs), I can tell you the safest disposal method for each and where to take them near you.

Getting rid of household hazardous waste (HHW) safely protects your local trash collectors, water supply, and environment. Here is how you can handle different types of materials and find proper disposal options:

• Latex Paint (Water-based) : If it is completely dried out, it is usually accepted in regular household trash in many municipalities. You can speed up the drying process by leaving the lid off or mixing in kitty litter, sawdust, or paint hardener. Note: Keep the lid off so sanitation workers can see the paint is solid.
• Oil-Based Paint : This is considered hazardous waste because it is flammable and contains toxic chemicals. Do not throw it in the trash or pour it down the drain. It must be taken to a hazardous waste collection facility or event.
• Household Batteries:
  • Alkaline batteries (single-use AA, AAA, C, D) can often go in regular trash depending on local rules, but recycling is safer and preferred.
  • Rechargeable batteries (Li-ion, NiCd) and button cell batteries contain toxic metals and must be recycled. You can drop them off at retail locations using collection boxes through the Call2Recycle Locator.
• Automotive Fluids & Car Batteries : Used motor oil, antifreeze, and car batteries are widely accepted for recycling at auto parts stores (like AutoZone or O'Reilly ) or local recycling centers.
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and LEDs : CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and should not go in the regular trash. Many hardware stores (such as The Home Depot or Lowe's ) offer free in-store recycling drop-offs for burnt-out bulbs.

Steps to Find Local Disposal Options:

1. Check local sanitation guidelines : Visit your city or county’s waste management website to see if they host seasonal household hazardous waste drop-off days or have a permanent HHW facility.
2. Use a search tool : Enter your ZIP code into the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find nearby facilities that accept specific hazardous items like paint, chemicals, and electronics.
3. Sort and store safely : Keep items in their original containers with labels intact. Do not mix different chemicals together, and transport them securely in your vehicle's trunk upright so they won't spill.

If you can share your city or ZIP code and what specific items you need to get rid of, I can look up your local hazardous waste disposal options and guidelines.

Disposing of household hazardous waste (HHW) —such as paint, batteries, cleaners, and automotive fluids—requires special care because throwing them in the regular trash or pouring them down the drain can cause fires, toxic leaks, or severe environmental damage.

1. Handling Specific Materials Safely

• Batteries: Never toss rechargeable or lithium-ion batteries into standard trash or recycling bins, as they frequently spark garbage truck or facility fires. Tape the terminal ends (the positive/negative ends) of lithium, button cell, or rechargeable batteries with clear or electrical tape before storing them in a plastic container. Many local hardware stores, libraries, or electronic retailers offer free recycling drop-offs for these. (Standard single-use alkaline batteries are accepted in the regular trash in some municipalities, but local rules vary).
• Paint:
  • Oil-based paint, stains, and varnishes are hazardous and must go to a specialized HHW facility or collection event.
  • Latex (water-based) paint can often be solidified at home if your local program doesn't take liquid paint. Mix equal parts kitty litter, sawdust, or a commercial paint hardener into the can and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area before tossing the hardened can into your regular trash with the lid off.
• Automotive Fluids & Car Batteries: Used motor oil, antifreeze, and car batteries are widely accepted for recycling at auto parts retailers or local service centers.
• Electronics & Light Bulbs: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain small amounts of mercury and must be recycled (many home improvement big-box stores take these back). Old computers and TVs count as e-waste and should be directed to designated e-waste drop-offs.

2. General Safety & Transport Guidelines

3. Keep items in their original containers: Never mix chemicals together or store hazardous products in alternative containers like old food jugs. Ensure labels remain clear and legible.

4. Pack for stability: Place leaking or fragile containers upright inside a sturdy plastic-lined box or use kitty litter/absorbent material in the box base to catch accidental drips during transit.

5. Never mix products: Mixing leftovers (like bleach and ammonia, or different solvents) can trigger dangerous chemical reactions, toxic fumes, or explosions.

6. Finding Local Disposal Options

Because hazardous waste regulations vary significantly by city and county, your best resource is local authority programming. You can find permanent collection sites, mobile drop-off routes, or special community cleanup days through:

• Checking your local city or county public works / waste management department website.
• Using the search tools on Earth911 to look up recycling and hazardous waste collection centers by your ZIP code.
• Reviewing official guidance via the US EPA Household Hazardous Waste Page.

If you'd like to share your city or zip code , I can help you look up specific local drop-off options or find out what your municipal waste program accepts.

If you're in Clark County / the Las Vegas area, the safest approach is to keep hazardous materials separate and use the appropriate recycling or household-hazardous-waste program. Clark County specifically warns against putting many hazardous items in ordinary trash or recycling.

🎨 Paint

• Usable leftover paint: Consider giving it to a neighbor, community organization, school, or someone who can use it.
• Latex/water-based paint: Clark County says it can generally go in regular trash after it has been completely solidified. Mix in cat litter until it has an oatmeal-like consistency, leave the lid off, and let it dry.
• Oil-based paint, paint thinner, solvents, and paint remover: Treat these as hazardous waste—don't put them in the regular trash and don't pour them down a drain.
• Never pour paint onto the ground, into a storm drain, or into a sewer.

🔋 Batteries

Don't put loose batteries in either your household trash or recycling bin.

For common lithium-ion and NiMH batteries, Clark County currently has a battery recycling program. Tape the battery contacts or individually bag the batteries before taking them to a collection point.

One current drop-off is the Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability, 4701 W Russell Rd #200, Las Vegas; another is Winchester Dondero Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Dr. The county says the program accepts lithium-ion and NiMH batteries but not automotive batteries or cracked/leaking batteries.

For a convenient private option, Batteries Plus at 3380 E Russell Rd also offers battery recycling; call ahead for the particular battery type.

🧪 Other household hazardous waste

Things such as pesticides, pool chemicals, solvents, flammable liquids, certain cleaners, aerosols, and automotive fluids should generally go through a designated household hazardous-waste collection program rather than your normal garbage. Don't mix different chemicals together.

Clark County's current guidance identifies Republic Services sites for household hazardous waste, including the North Valley site at 333 W Gowan Rd and the Henderson site at 560 Cape Horn Dr. Acceptance rules and collection schedules can vary, so verify before loading your car.

Republic Services - Las Vegas Dumpster Rental is at 333 W Gowan Rd, and Republic Services Henderson Transfer Station is at 560 Cape Horn Dr.

🚗 Before transporting anything

• Keep chemicals in their original, labeled containers whenever possible.
• Don't mix products, even if they're both household cleaners.
• Keep containers upright and secured so they can't tip over.
• Keep hazardous materials away from children, pets, heat, and flames.
• For leaking, bulging, or damaged batteries, don't tape them and toss them into a collection bin—the county specifically excludes cracked/leaking batteries from its regular battery program.

If you tell me exactly what you have (for example, “3 cans of latex paint, 1 can of oil-based paint, AA batteries, a lithium laptop battery, and pool chemicals”), I can tell you what goes where and the closest appropriate drop-off options.

Handling household hazardous waste (HHW) safely protects local waterways, sanitation workers, and your home . Never dump chemicals down the drain, on the ground, or into standard storm drains.

Safe disposal methods vary by material type:

1. Paint Disposal
   • Latex (Water-based) Paint: If it's a small amount, harden it. Remove the lid and let it dry out completely in a well-ventilated area, or speed it up by mixing in an absorbent like kitty litter or sawdust. Once completely solid, throw the open can in your regular trash. For large volumes or liquid paint, use a local drop-off program (check resources like PaintCare where available) or a municipal HHW facility.
   • Oil-based Paint & Stains: These are flammable and toxic, meaning they cannot be dried out and thrown in the regular trash. They must be taken to a hazardous waste facility or community collection event.
2. Battery Disposal
   • Alkaline Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V): Depending on your local municipal rules, many traditional single-use alkaline batteries can go in the household trash, but recycling them is strongly preferred.
   • Rechargeable, Lithium, and Button Cell Batteries: Never throw these in the regular trash or curbside recycling bins—they can spark, rupture, and cause destructive trash truck or facility fires. Tape the terminals with electrical tape or place each battery in a separate plastic bag , then drop them off at designated collection boxes at local hardware and electronics retailers (such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy , or Staples ) or a hazardous waste site.
   • Car/Vehicle Batteries: Take these back to automotive parts stores or a scrap/recycling center; most retailers will accept them, and many state laws ban them from landfills.
3. Other Common Hazardous Waste
   • Automotive Fluids & Motor Oil: Collect used motor oil, transmission fluid, or antifreeze in a sealed, leak-proof plastic container and take it to a local auto parts store or designated recycling drop-off.
   • CFLs and Fluorescent Light Bulbs: These contain small amounts of mercury and should not go in standard trash. Many home improvement retail chains provide free in-store drop-off bins for recycling light bulbs.
   • Aerosol Cans: Completely empty cans can often go into standard recycling, but cans with product still inside must go to an HHW facility.
4. Finding Local Drop-Off Options
   • Use the Earth911 Recycling Directory to search for specific materials and your zip code to find certified nearby disposal locations.
   • Check your local county or city waste management website for permanent municipal HHW drop-off schedules or community collection days.

If you can share your general location (city or state) and which specific items you are trying to clear out, I can help you find local programs or specific retail drop-offs near you.

The safest approach is to keep household hazardous waste out of sinks, storm drains, soil, and ordinary trash unless your local rules specifically allow it. Many communities have special collection programs for items like paint, batteries, solvents, pesticides, and cleaners.

Here’s how to handle common items:

Old paint

• First check the type:
  • Oil-based paint, stains, varnishes, paint thinner, and solvents: treat as hazardous waste and take them to a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection site.
  • Latex/water-based paint: rules vary by location. In many places it can be dried out and disposed of with regular trash, but check local guidance first. Some areas offer paint recycling or drop-off programs.
• If the paint is still usable, consider giving it away through a local reuse group or donation program.
• Don’t pour leftover paint down a drain or onto the ground.

Batteries

• Lithium-ion batteries (phones, laptops, power tools, e-bike batteries, power banks): do not put them in household trash or recycling bins. Tape the terminals or place them in a separate plastic bag and take them to a battery recycling or HHW collection point.
• Rechargeable batteries (Ni-Cd, NiMH, sealed lead-acid): use battery recycling programs, retailer take-back programs, or HHW sites.
• Car batteries: return them to a retailer or an approved recycling program rather than throwing them away.
• Alkaline AA/AAA batteries: disposal rules vary; some communities accept them for recycling, while others allow household trash disposal. Check local rules.

Other household hazardous items

Common examples include:

• Motor oil and antifreeze
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Pool chemicals
• Drain cleaners and strong solvents
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Unused aerosol cans
• Propane cylinders

Keep them:

• In their original containers if possible
• Clearly labeled
• Stored upright in a cool, dry place until disposal day

If you’re in Rhode Island, the state’s HHW program uses Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s Eco-Depot collections for many household hazardous materials, including paints and chemicals.

If you tell me your city/state (or country) and what specific items you have (for example: “3 cans of paint, AA batteries, old gasoline”), I can help find the right disposal option.