All materials

Where to dispose of household chemicals

Paint thinner, mineral spirits, acetone and similar chemicals. 3 places accept it in Southern California.

Good to know

Solvents are household hazardous waste and must go to an HHW facility or collection event. They cannot be poured down a drain or put in the trash.

Keep products in their original, labeled containers when possible.

Pesticides, herbicides and most fertilizers are household hazardous waste in California and are accepted at HHW facilities.

Never mix products together for transport; keep them in labeled containers.

Pool chemicals are accepted at household hazardous waste facilities. They react dangerously with each other, so keep them in original containers and separated during transport.

Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and must go to an HHW facility or a retail take-back program in California.

Transport bulbs in their original packaging or padded to avoid breakage.

Propane tanks are not accepted in regular trash. HHW facilities take household-size tanks; some limit the size or number per visit.

Many propane exchange retailers will take an old tank in exchange.

Other ways

• Retail take-back. Some hardware stores accept CFL bulbs at the customer service counter.
• Tank exchange. Swap-style propane retailers usually accept your old tank when you buy a full one.

Don't bother

These do not take household chemicals: Lamb Canyon Landfill, Badlands Landfill, El Sobrante Landfill, Edom Hill Transfer Station, Coachella Valley Transfer Station, Mid-Valley Sanitary Landfill, San Timoteo Sanitary Landfill, Olinda Alpha Landfill, Frank R. Bowerman Landfill, Prima Deshecha Landfill, Sunshine Canyon Landfill, Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility, Miramar Landfill, Sycamore Landfill, Otay Landfill.