HHW Residential
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Residential Hazardous Waste (Household Hazardous Waste)
Don’t throw hazardous waste in the trash!!  Municipal landfills cannot accept hazardous waste.  Bring your household hazardous waste (HHW) to a FREE collection facility or event.

What is HHW?

Acceptable/Unacceptable Material for HHW Facilities and Events

HHW Collection Locations and Schedule

Used Oil and Filter Recycling Information

Medication and Sharps

What is HHW?
According to the California Health and Safety Code, “Household hazardous waste means any hazardous waste generated incidental to owning or maintaining a place of residence.  Household hazardous waste does not include any waste generated in the course of operating a business at a residence.”  Some jobs around the home may require the use of products containing hazardous components.  Such products may include certain paints, cleaners, stains and varnishes, car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides.  The unused or leftover contents of such consumer products are known as “household hazardous waste” or HHW.

Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year.  The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in basements or garages or storage closets.  When improperly disposed, household hazardous waste can create a potential risk to people and the environment.  The best option is to use all of the product so there is no residual waste to dispose of.  These items include many common garden care, cleaning and automobile products.  They are illegal to dispose of in the trash because they can contaminate ground water and emit toxic gases into the atmosphere at county landfills.  They can also be hazardous to trash collection and landfill workers’ health.  Because of these threats, they must be disposed of in the proper way by bringing them to collection events.  The Riverside County Waste Management Department’s HHW Collection Program provides an opportunity for residents of the county to dispose of these materials at no charge.

Acceptable/Unacceptable Material for HHW Facilities and Events

Adhesives, Drain Openers, Antifreeze, Paints (Oil and Latex), Batteries (auto, single use, rechargeable), Solvents, Pesticides, Household Cleaners, Used Oil and Filters, Swimming Pool Chemicals, Nail Polish, Fuels, Propane Cylinders/Tanks, Cosmetics, Fertilizers, Fluorescent Bulbs, Ballasts, Fire Extinguishers, Used Oil Filters and Electronic Wastes are some examples of household hazardous waste (HHW).  HHW are products marked with the words, “Toxic” or “Poison”, “Flammable” or “Combustible”, or “Danger”, “Caution” or “Warning”. However, anything else that is labeled with the following is also considered HHW:

Toxic—Poisonous or causes long-term illness (such as cancer).  Pesticides, cleaners, antifreeze and many other products are toxic. 

Flammable—Burns easily.  Paint, thinners and other solvents, and auto products are the most common flammable home products. 

Corrosive—Dissolves metal or human tissue (acid, for example).  Oven cleaner, drain cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner and auto batteries are common corrosive products.

Oxidizer—Common oxidizers contain chlorine or bromine and are good sanitizers (i.e. swimming pool chlorine).

The following materials are examples of HHW typically found in homes:

Unacceptable Material

HHW locations are for RESIDENTIAL use only.  Photo documentation will be made of excessive or suspected non-residential loads.

The following waste CANNOT be accepted at ANY Riverside County HHW Collection Facility:

• Business, non-profit, or out-of county hazardous waste
  
• Explosives and Ammunition
  
• Radioactive or Remediation Materials
  
• Medical/Infections Waste (except Sharps)
  
• Asbestos
  
• Appliances
  
• Tires
  
• 55 or 33 gallon drums
  
• Compressed gas cylinders greater than 40 pounds
  

If you have any of these wastes, please call (951) 486-3200 for assistance.

Transporting HHW to a HHW Collection Facility or Event
Before transporting waste to a regional facility or collection event, please use this checklist to make sure you have done the following:

		Use up all hazardous waste when possible.
		Offer good, usable products to neighbors, family, or organizations.
		Remove all valuables from trunk, as well as, all other items that can be mistaken as hazardous and universal waste discards.  Note: The program is not responsible for lost or missing items from your vehicle.
		Limit total chemical load to less than 5 gallons or 50 pounds for transportation. (California State Law maximum transportation limitation.)
		Secure leaky containers and loose loads.  If they are leaky, place them in a secondary container or material that will not allow the leak to spread. Place securely in the vehicle for safe transportation.
		Mark containers to identify contents or keep in original container.  The contents of the container must be the same as stated on the label. If not, cover up the label and write the name of its contents.  Containers with flammable liquid will not be returned (gas cans).
		Transport waste in a box placed in the trunk of your car or in the bed of your pickup truck and secure to prevent movement and breakage. (Keep items away from passengers.)
		Follow directions once you reach the event site.  You will be asked to turn off your motor and stay in your vehicle.  The site staff will unload the material from your vehicle.

HHW Collection Locations and Schedule (Click HERE to download the Master Program Schedule) 

*Facilities are closed on designated holidays.

Riverside County offers free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events throughout the year that provide residents of Riverside County an environmentally safe way to properly dispose or recycle hazardous household waste.  For the date, time and location of the HHW Collection Events, please refer to the schedule and maps in the section below.

Regional Temporary HHW Collection Events

These facilities only accept the most common types of HHW:  antifreeze, all battery types, used motor oil and oil filters, and latex paint.  They are not able to collect any other types of HHW.  The Regional Permanent HHW Collection Facilities and Regional Temporary HHW collection Events listed above are permitted to accept ABOP as well as all other types of HHW.

The Coachella and Edom Hill Transfer Station ABOP facilities are operated by Burrtec.  The information provided below is subject to change without notice.  Please call the phone numbers listed below for operating hours.

Additional HHW Services Provided by Other Agencies
Additional Hazardous Waste services are available to residents in the following cities.  Proof of residency is required for these services.

Used Oil and Filter Recycling Information
Changing Oil Too Often?  Review your owner’s manual for manufacturer’s suggested oil change frequency!  But if all you generate is used oil and filters from servicing your vehicle, you might find it more convenient to utilize the Certified Used Oil Collection Center network located throughout California.  Most locations are automotive centers or retail stores that have convenient hours.  Please limit the amount of used oil you are recycling to no more than 5 gallons per trip.  There are many Certified Collection centers that accept used oil for FREE from residents.  You may be able to get some money for your oil too. 

For a list of participating facilities please log on to http://www.Earth911.com or the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) website:  http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/usedOil/Centers
This program is funded by a Grant from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). 

Medication & Sharps
SHARPS and NEEDLES are always accepted at FREE HHW collection facilities or events.
Some medications can be easily disposed of with regular trash.  Most Medications are not considered Hazardous Waste!  Do not bring unused or unwanted medication to the HHW collection locations.

Avoid flushing unused medications down the toilet and into the waste water treatment system.  This makes water treatment more difficult for the processing plants.  Always remove personal identification from medication bottles and containers. For additional information, please see the Pharmaceutical Waste Fact Sheet Fact Sheet.

Before you dispose of the medications, there are a few necessary steps that will prevent medication from being retrieved from the trash.  This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

	Liquid medication:  Empty liquid medication onto absorbent paper towels or rags and dispose with regular trash.
	Pills:  Crush pills and dispose of powered medication with regular trash.
	Propellant inhaler:  Empty container by expelling all propellant.  Dispose of small empty aerosol container in trash.
	Sharps/needles:  Must be placed and secured in an approved sharps disposal container and brought to any HHW collection facility or event. FREE Labels can be printed HERE and are available at the HHW collections or by calling (951) 486-3200.  Riverside County residents can also place sharps in a hard sided PLASTIC container like a bleach or laundry detergent bottle with a secure lid.  Do not use any container that held a food product.  Place a label on the container that identifies "Biohazard", secure the lid, and tape the container closed. Then bring container to any HHW collection facility or event.  Contact your Local City Hall for additional Sharps collection programs.