Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste is any product labeled: toxic, poison, corrosive, flammable, combustible or irritant that is disposed of.  A typical home can contain a vast array of household hazardous products used for cleaning, painting, beautifying, lubricating and disinfecting the house, yard, workshop and garage.  For detailed information and tips on proper disposal of household hazardous waste, click here. To meet the needs of our citizens, several options are provided for the proper disposal and recycling of household hazardous waste.  These include door-to-door home collection, two permanent collection facilities located in the cities of Vista and Poway, and periodic temporary collection events.

The door-to-door collection service is available to qualifying homebound elderly and disabled citizens at no charge.  Residents not qualifying for free pickup service will be charged a $10 co-payment.  This service does not include pickup of regular trash, business waste, medical or biological waste, explosives, ammunition, and radioactive material.  Please call 1-800-444-4244 to schedule an appointment.In addition to the door-to-doorservice, the two regional permanent collection centers are open every Saturday (except holiday weekends) from 9:00am to 3:00pm.No fee is charged to Encinitas residents and no appointments are necessary.Proof of residency is required (driver’s license, trash or utility bill, or other proof of Encinitas residency).The Vista collection center is located at 1145 East Taylor Street at Laguna Lane.The Poway collection center is located in the South Poway Business Park, at 12325 Crosthwaite Circle off of Stowe Drive. Click here for directions to these facilities. Materials accepted include leftover paint, auto fluids, drain opener, or any unused products containing toxic chemicals used to maintain your home or automobile. Products labeled caution, warning, danger, poison, toxic, flammable or corrosive are considered hazardous. Waste collected is separated, packaged, secured and temporarily stored at the permanent facilities.  It is then removed on a regular basis for proper recycling or disposal. Transport no more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste in your vehicle.Keep containers closed and take them directly to the proper facility or temporary event.

For further information on any of these household hazardous waste collection services, please call the City of Encinitas Public Works Department at 760-633-2840.