Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program

Residents of member cities can utilize permanent hazardous waste collection facilities located in the cities of Poway, Vista and Escondido or call for door-to-door pick-up at: 858-481-SAFE (7233). Residents of contract cities, Carlsbad and San Marcos may only use the Poway and Vista sites and the door-to-door program. Other cities and the county have not contracted to use the RSWA facilities, therefore residents must check with their own jurisdiction for proper disposal options.

Description of Household Hazardous Waste Items

Household Hazardous Waste is unused or leftover portions of products containing hazardous chemicals used around your household including your garden and vehicles for example.  To reduce the amount of Household Hazardous Waste you generate, please buy only what you need and use it entirely.  Choose less toxic alternatives and recyclables.  Products labeled Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable or Corrosive are considered hazardous.

Examples of HHW

Household Hazardous Waste includes leftover:

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• Aerosol cans, non-empty 
• All Purpose Cleaners 
• Antifreeze 
• Auto Batteries 
• Auto Fluids, Oil & Filters 
• Batteries 
• Cooking Oil, Residential 
• Disinfectants 
• Drain Opener 
• Electronic Devices: TV, Monitor, VCR, Stereo, CPU, Wireless Phones, Microwave Ovens 
• Fertilizers 
• Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs & Other Mercury-Containing Lamps 

• Furniture Polish
• Gasoline (w/ container) 
• Latex (water based) Paint
• Lighter Fluid 
• Oil-Based Paint 
• Oven Cleaner 
• Pesticides 
• Pool Chemicals 
• Propane Canisters 
• Sharps Waste 
• Solvents & Thinners 
• Thermometers 
• Thermostats 
• Varnishes

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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.