Hazardous Waste Drop-off Sites and Transfer Stations by City

Most places let you drop off household hazardous waste at one or two permanent sites, while others offer only an at-home pickup or scheduled collection events. These sites are usually free for residents and turn businesses away, so bring an ID or a utility bill with your address. Trash transfer stations and convenience centers are separate, often charge by weight, and usually refuse hazardous waste. Check the site’s residency rule and hours before you drive.

Photo: North Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Joe Mabel, 2014-01-05. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source. Resized for web.

Questions

Where is the nearest landfill or transfer station? Filter the drop-off locations by state and by type: landfills, transfer stations and convenience centers are listed with their address, hours and fees. Most city and county sites take only local residents, so check each record’s “Who can use it” line, or search by ZIP code with dump near me.

Where can I drop off paint and chemicals? At your area’s household hazardous waste site, such as Chicago’s HCCRF, Houston’s Environmental Service Centers, Miami-Dade County’s Home Chemical Collection Centers, Seattle’s North and South facilities or Portland’s Metro stations. Denver and Phoenix pick them up at home instead, and Honolulu, Boston, Washington, DC and Middlebury’s region hold collection events. Chicago and Nashville refuse latex paint; dry it out and put it in the trash. More in paint disposal.

Is hazardous waste drop-off free? For residents it usually is: the sites serving unincorporated King County, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, Portland, Saint Paul, San Francisco and Seattle charge nothing, and so do Austin’s center for Austin and Travis County residents and Boston’s Zero Waste Days. Atlanta’s CHaRM charges after the first 20 pounds of chemicals and paint, and Denver’s at-home pickup has a $15 co-payment.

Do I need proof of residency? Almost always. Houston’s centers want a Texas ID and a City of Houston utility bill or lease with the same address, Phoenix’s transfer stations a current city services bill and matching photo ID, Fort Totten in Washington, DC a DC driver’s license or another ID with a utility bill, lease or deed, and Middlebury a permit sticker. Miami-Dade County’s Trash and Recycling Centers scan your Florida license against the address list.

Do I need an appointment? At some sites. CHaRM in Atlanta and Austin’s Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center are appointment-only, Honolulu’s events take registered items only, and Washington, DC’s events need an Eventbrite registration. The King County and Seattle hazardous waste facilities need no appointment.

Where can I drop off a TV or computer? Chicago’s HCCRF, Austin’s Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center, Miami-Dade County’s Home Chemical Collection Centers and the Los Angeles S.A.F.E. Centers take them, and Honolulu’s convenience centers and transfer stations have e-waste bins. King County stations refuse them; they go free to E-Cycle Washington sites.