Reminder: the following service is for Unincorporated County residents only

• If you live in the unincorporated areas of the county, call 1-877-713-2784 for the County of San Diego Residents Hazardous Household Waste hotline.
• If you do not live in the unincorporated areas of the County, you will need to contact your city’s HHW program for disposal information.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is unused or leftover portions of products containing toxic chemicals used around the home. Products labeled Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable, or Corrosive are considered hazardous.

Household Hazardous Waste Includes Leftover:

The facility will NOT accept business waste, tires, explosives, radioactive material, or medical waste!

How can I reduce household hazardous waste (HHW) in my home?

USE IT UP! If you use all of a product with hazardous ingredients in accordance with label directions, there is no HHW to manage. Containers that once held a hazardous product are not considered HHW if they are completely empty. If you can’t use it up, see if someone else can use the remaining product.

For information call 877-R-1-EARTH (877-713-2784).

Or utilize the Earth 911 recycling hotline to locate drop-off programs for hazardous and non-hazardous materials: 1-800-CLEANUP (800-253-2687) or www.earth911.org

Where Can I Dispose of HHW?

Unincorporated County residents may drop off household hazardous waste items (such as CRTs) free of charge at the Escondido HHW facility by appointment only.

The Escondido hazardous waste disposal facility is open these Saturdays by appointment only:

January 6, 2024 January 20, 2024 February 10, 2024 February 24, 2024 March 9, 2024 March 23, 2024 April 6, 2024 April 20, 2024 May 4, 2024 May 18, 2024 June 8, 2024 June 22, 2024

July 6, 2024 July 20, 2024 August 3, 2024 August 17, 2024 September 7, 2024 September 21, 2024 October 12, 2024 October 26, 2024 November 9, 2024 November 23, 2024 December 7, 2024 December 21, 2024

Book a Timeslot Online or call (877) 713-2784 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are from 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. only.

Paint

Paint may not be placed out for curbside collection or disposed of in a bin/container meant for solid waste. FREE paint recycling is available at drop-off sites throughout California. Most of these sites are at paint retailers (paint, hardware, and home improvement stores) that have volunteered to take back paint, and they are available to any resident and business in California. These stores accept paint whenever they are open for business. Below is a link where you can find a drop-off site near you and view hours and restrictions.

Find a PaintCare drop-off location

Prescription Drugs

Do not flush unused, unwanted, and expired medications down the toilet, put them in the drains, or throw them away with the trash. Always make sure to keep medication out of reach of children and pets. Unused, unwanted, and expired medications can be taken to a San Diego County Prescription Drug Collection Box Location and turned in anonymously in a secure collection drop-box.

When disposing of medication, make sure to remove all labels with personal information and recycle the containers at home. Place unneeded pills into a plastic container or zip lock bag.

Find a San Diego County Prescription Drug Collection Box Location

Lithium-Ion Batteries and Electronic Waste

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries are commonly found in cell phones, laptops, cordless phones, household electronics, or power tools and are considered hazardous waste when they are discarded. Unfortunately, more and more dangerous incidents are being reported involving explosions or fires caused by improperly disposed cell phones or Li-Ion batteries.

All batteries and electronic waste must be properly recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility or event, and NEVER placed in trash or recycling carts!

Batteries and most electronic waste are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contained within. Even when batteries have reached their end-life, they still hold a small charge. If batteries are not discarded properly, they can potentially explode and cause a fire in a collection cart, truck, or in a disposal facility when crushed.

For information on where residents can bring unwanted Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and E-Waste items, including batteries, for safe and proper disposal please call 877-R-1-EARTH (877-713-2784) or visit WasteFreeSD.org.

Watch a Short Animated Video on Battery Safety from the Avoid the Spark Campaign