Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, are one-day, drive-through collection events where residents are invited to drive to a specific location to drop off their hazardous waste. There is a transportation limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per trip.

Collection Events are scheduled in different areas throughout the County. They are free, open to all residents of LA County and are usually held on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. An appointment is not needed to participate in a Collection Event.

In addition, the County has partnered with the City of Los Angeles to allow all residents of LA County to utilize City of LA collection events and permanent centers. The City of LA operates 6 permanent HHW/E-Waste collection centers in different areas within the City of LA. All County residents are invited to dispose of their household hazardous waste at these centers for free. For more information regarding the permanent centers and other events by the City of LA, please click HERE.

Additionally, certain cities have set up their own collection programs for city residents. Call your city for more information, or click HERE.

What Happens to Household Hazardous Waste Collected by the County?

Most of the paint is reused for the County’s anti-graffiti program. Motor oil is recycled/ reused as lubricants, marine diesel fuel, supplemental fuel and tar by-products such as asphalt cover and re-refined motor oil.

Household hazardous waste that cannot be recycled or reused is carefully packed into special drums for disposal.

Preparing Household Hazardous Waste
for a Collection Event

• Pack household hazardous wastes in a cardboard box so that it does not spill during transport. Be prepared to leave your containers and boxes.

• Put like chemicals together. Separate unlike chemicals.

• Label materials that are not in their original containers.

• Make sure containers are not leaking and lids are tightly sealed.

• Put your box of household hazardous waste in the trunk of your car, away from passengers during transport. Remove all other items from the trunk.

• At the collection site, trained personnel will ask you to remain in your car while they remove the household hazardous waste from your trunk.

For the location and date of a household hazardous waste collection event near you, click HERE.