Hazardous Waste

HHW

Toxic household materials like motor oil/oil filters, anti-freeze, paints, solvents, cleaners, and old batteries are too hazardous to throw in the trash.  These products cannot be put into your residential trash because they cannot be disposed of in the landfills without risking contamination to groundwater and they cannot be dumped into storm drains without contaminating our oceans. They also cannot be dumped into the sewers as they kill the beneficial bacteria needed to treat sewage.

Proper Disposal 

It is dangerous and illegal to discard household hazardous waste into the trash, a storm drain, or down the sewer drain. Instead, use up the product as intended or take the unused portion to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Uncontaminated used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and automotive batteries may also be taken to a local certified collection center throughout the County, including most auto parts stores and gas stations.

Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste

Orange County has one of the most extensive and efficient household hazardous waste collection programs in Southern California. This includes four permanent collection facilities open five (5) days a week (Tuesday - Saturday), offering fast drive-up and drop-off service.  Orange County residents can dispose of their household hazardous waste items for FREE at any of the County’s four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. The closest collection center for Placentia residents is the Anaheim Collection Center, located at 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806. For more information about Orange County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, click here.

Household Hazardous Waste Items

Please click here for more information regarding Household Hazardous Waste, including a list of common items you can take to your Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

Examples of Hazardous Waste Accepted

  • Oil & latex paint and paint products
  • Automotive products (batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, filters, etc.)
  • Aerosol products
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (curly bulbs); fluorescent, neon, HD, and mercury light bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Consumer electronics (TVs, monitors, computers, keyboards, phones, games, etc. – all items containing circuit boards
  • Household cleaners and chemical solvents
  • Hobby and pool supplies
  • Thermostats
  • Expired medicine
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
  • Empty compressed gas cylinders
  • Wood preservatives

Examples of Hazardous Waste NOT Accepted

  • Business generated waste
  • Biological waste
  • Radioactive waste
  • Ammunition
  • Compressed gas cylinders
  • Explosives
  • Asbestos
  • Flares
  • Pressure-treated wood

For your safety, please observe the following regulations in preparing for your visit: 

  • A maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds may be transported per vehicle, per trip (Department of Transportation Requirement). It is illegal to exceed these limits.

  • Containers larger than five gallons will not be accepted. 

  • Containers will NOT be returned, except for oil containers, upon request. 

  • Materials should be in original containers (except motor oil, fuels, and antifreeze).

  • All containers must have lids, be sturdy, non-leaking, labeled, and protected from breakage. 

  • Do not combine different types of waste.

  • Do not mix oil-based paint with latex paint. 

  • Empty containers with lids removed can be discarded in the trash.


Business Hazardous Waste

O.C. Waste & Recycling provides a partial list of disposal companies to assist with the proper disposal of waste materials for businesses. A more comprehensive list of companies that dispose of waste can be found in the Business-to-Business telephone directory under the listing “Waste Disposal – Hazardous” or by searching on the internet by waste type or at enviroyellowpages.com. 

NOTE: These companies operate independently of the County. The County of Orange does not endorse or have any affiliation with these companies. This information is provided for informational purposes only.

For additional information, you may contact: 

For any household hazardous materials emergencies, please dial 911.