What Goes Where

General information May 11, 2016

Learn which types of waste are and are not accepted in the HHW Program. Make a drop-off appointment here for items we do accept, and be sure to check below for alternative safe management options for hard-to-recycle and special items. Small batteries, paint, and fluorescent lights can be dropped off at retail partner collection sites. Call for hours of operation.

Accepted Items

ACCEPTABLE WASTE TYPE	OTHER RECYCLING/DISPOSAL OPTIONS
Aerosol cans (spray paint, pesticide, hair spray, and other aerosol sprays EXCEPT food grade products like cooking oil sprays)	Aerosol cans must be disposed of through the San Mateo County HHW Program. Please make an appointment.
Art and hobby supplies (photo chemicals, glues)
Automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, fuel additives chrome polish, many waxes)	Free convenient drop off locations also exist for the following automotive supplies: Antifreeze and automotive batteries Used motor oil and filters
Batteries (most household types, including single-use alkaline and lithium metal, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, coin, and button batteries, and Lithium-ion (the size of a AA battery or smaller ONLY)). NO DAMAGED, DEFECTIVE OR RECALLED BATTERIES.	Find other convenient drop-off options for battery recycling at smchealth.org/batteries. For Li-ion batteries LARGER than a AA battery, find convenient recycling options through The Battery Network and Redwood Materials. Please tape battery terminals to protect from fires.
Cosmetics (nail polish, nail polish remover, perfumes, etc.)
Compressed gases and liquids ACCEPTED: -Propane (camp stove fuel, tanks for gas grills). Max 5 gallons in size. -Propadiene (MAPP) Refer to the unaccepted list below to see compressed gases that are NOT accepted.	Empty compressed gas cylinders: May be exempt from regulation. Contact your local metal recycler or scrap facility for preparation and acceptance requirements. For more information, visit Management of Compressed Gas Cylinders \| CA Department of Toxic Substances Control Propane: Take advantage of propane cylinder exchanges, such as Blue Rhino and ReFuel Your Fun.
Fluorescent lights (all sizes and types) Only 10 fluorescent lights are allowed per appointment.	See our list of fluorescent light drop-off sites. No appointment needed, just check store hours.
Fire extinguishers	Empty/discharged fire extinguishers: Contact your local metal recycler or scrap facility for preparation and acceptance requirements. Full/charged fire extinguishers: Bring expired fire extinguishers that are not empty to the HHW program.
Garden fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
Household cleaning chemicals (bleach, stain removers, cleaners, polishes)	Visit smchealth.org/healthyhome for less toxic cleaning alternatives.
Mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats	See Thermostat Recycle Corporation for list of free convenient drop off locations.
Painting supplies and home improvement (paint, spray paint, stains, thinners, varnish, epoxy, roof tar, etc.)	Many paint stores take back paint, stain, and varnish year‐round for free during business hours as part of the PaintCare program. Find locations at paintcare.org.
Poisons (pest killing products, herbicide, powders, sprays, baits)	Visit smchealth.org/healthyhome for less-toxic pest control options.
Pool or spa chemicals

NOT Accepted (UNACCEPTED)

UNACCEPTABLE WASTE TYPE	ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL OR RECYCLING OPTIONS
Ammunition, explosives, fireworks, gun powder	Contact local law enforcement and/or San Mateo County Sheriffs for explosives destruction
Appliances	Find local disposal locations
Asbestos	See BAAQMD and DTSC Contact the following Bay Area landfills: -WM Altamont Landfill and Resource Recovery -Recology Hay Road
Compressed gases and liquids NOT accepted: -Acetylene -Methyl acetylene -Oxygen -Helium (party balloon tanks) -Nitrous oxide (laughing gas, whippits) Refer to the accepted list above for compressed gases that are accepted.	Empty compressed gas cylinders: May be exempt from regulation. Contact your local metal recycler or scrap facility for preparation and acceptance requirements. For more information, visit Management of Compressed Gas Cylinders \| CA Department of Toxic Substances Control NON-EMPTY Cylinders: Airgas in Redwood City, call (650) 701-1320 first to confirm acceptance. Accepts certain DOT-approved commercial cylinders (typically 5 lbs. and larger). Retail-size cylinders such as 1 lb. propane, helium tanks, and MAPP gas are not accepted. Contact manufacturer for disposal instructions.
Construction and demolition debris	Find local disposal locations
Cooking oil	Find local disposal locations
Electronic waste	Find local disposal locations or contact Shoreway Public Recycling Center in San Carlos.
LED Lights (Light emitting diode)	Visit recyclestuff.org for drop-off sites. LED lights are electronic waste.
Lithium-ion Batteries (Li-ion)	For Li-ion batteries LARGER than a AA battery, visit Call2Recycle.org and Redwood Materials for drop-off sites. NO DAMAGED, DEFECTIVE, OR RECALLED batteries. For Li-ion the size of a AA battery or smaller, visit smchealth.org/post/hhw-most-wanted.
Medical, biohazard, infectious wastes	Contact the San Mateo County Medical Waste Program
Pharmaceuticals, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs	Many local police stations and some pharmacies will take them back.
Pressure-treated wood	Disposal sites and resources Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): Guidance for generators Management requirements
Sharps, lancets, needles	Find local disposal locations
Smoke detectors	Call the manufacturer for mail-back recycling; or call First Alert at 1-800-323-9005
Styrofoam	Find disposal locations
Tires	Find local disposal locations
Business waste	See if you quality for the Very Small Quantity Generator (Business) Program OR Contact a Registered Hazardous Waste Transporter Hazardous Waste Identification (ID) Numbers \| Department of Toxic Substances Control

What Goes Where

Accepted Items

NOT Accepted (UNACCEPTED)

Log in

Commands