City of Santa Cruz
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Household Hazardous Waste
Drop Off Centers
Many common household products contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, animals and the environment. When these products are no longer needed they become "Household Hazardous Waste." Examples include paint, solvents, pesticides, household batteries, cleaning products, and auto care products. It is dangerous and illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the garbage, down the drain or on the ground.
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Drop off facility at 605 Dimeo Lane is run by Santa Cruz County. For more information, visit: Household Hazardous Waste . Access the informational brochure here: English; en español.
The Santa Cruz Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Site, located at the Resource Recovery Facility, 605 Dimeo Lane, was recently improved to include a new secondary containment area with a chemical resistant coating. The project was partially funded by a grant from CalRecycle.
Regular hours are Saturdays only from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop off is FREE.
TRANSPORTATION LIMITS: The maximum amount you can transport to our City of Santa Cruz HHW is 15 gallons liquid or 125 pounds solid of hazardous materials per vehicle trip. These requirements are due to storage capacity limits, state regulations, and for your safety.
ATTENTION: Place HHW in a plastic bin or box lined with a plastic trash can liner. This will keep them from tipping or leaking. As you pack your container, do not mix solids with liquids. (Containers will not be returned) EACH CONTAINER SIZE MUST BE 5 GALLONS OR LESS
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ACCEPTED
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NOT ACCEPTED
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Latex &oil-based paints
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NO Latex or oil based paint greater than 15 gallons per visit. Visit PaintCare's take back program for additional locations. |
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Motor oil, oil filters& antifreeze
limit of 5 gallons per visit
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NO Motor oil greater than 5 gallons per visit. Visit CalRecycle's oil take back program for additional locations. |
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Fluorescent tubes & bulbs
limit of 25 tubes/bulbs per visit
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NO Medicines or sharps.
Visit Med-Project to safely dispose of medicines and sharps.
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Cleaning products
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NO Reactive wastes |
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Solvents & flammable liquids
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NO Radioactive materials
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| Emergency road flares | NO Explosives or ammunition (includes marine flares) |
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Non-empty aerosols
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NO Compressed gas cylinders over 1 lb
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Automotive products
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Pesticides and herbicides
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NO Infectious wastes |
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Pool, hot tub, & spa chemicals
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| Photo chemicals | |
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Thermometers & other mercury-containing devices
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For information on proper disposal of hazardous items not accepted at the HHW Facilities, please contact County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services at 831-454-2022. Hazardous or Designated Wastes are described in CCR Titles 22 and 23 specifies Class I and Class II wastes.
Proper disposal of Medicines and Sharps is important and easy. Find more information here.
To dispose of explosives or ammunition contact the City of Santa Cruz Police Department at
831-420-5800.
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