How to get rid of hazardous household waste

Fact-checked · Sourced · Dated Last verified Oct 21, 2026 Sources

Questions your state page answers

Does the city pick it up at the curb, and do you need to book first?
Is there a fee, or a free option?
Some places require a bag, a sticker or a permit. Does yours?
Is there an official drop-off site, and when is it open?

The answer

Paint, batteries, propane, electronics, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs and household chemicals don't belong in regular trash. Start with your city's free household hazardous waste drop-off or collection day.^[1]

Independent guide, not a government website. Confirm with your city or the linked official source before acting; rules and fees change.

📍 Drop-off sites by city 🗓️ Collection days

What are you getting rid of?

PaintBatteries (including lithium-ion)Propane tanks & cylindersElectronics & TVsMotor oil & filtersFluorescent bulbs & CFLsHousehold chemicals & pesticides

FREE City & county options

Collection days and permanent sites

Rules differ by city. Pick your state to see the official rule where you live.

Event dates are checked Oct 21, 2026. Confirm on the official page before you go.

Sources (6 official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026)

New York (3 sources)
1. NYC Department of Sanitation, “Special Waste Drop-Off.” https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/programs/special-waste-drop-off.page. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
2. Town of Riverhead, “Sanitation.” https://townofriverheadny.gov/188/Sanitation. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
3. City of Glen Cove, “Garbage Collection.” https://glencoveny.gov/garbage-collection. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
Texas (1 source)
1. City of Houston, Solid Waste Management, “Environmental Service Centers.” https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
National, federal & multi-state (2 sources)
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).” https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
2. NYC Department of Sanitation, “SAFE Disposal Events.” https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/programs/safe-disposal-events.page. Checked Oct 21, 2026.

Each numbered citation [n] above links to its source. Last checked Oct 21, 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you set anything out.

Pick your state

Opens the place guides in that state for this item.