Residential collection services

Household hazardous waste

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Leftover household products that are flammable, reactive, corrosive, or toxic are considered household hazardous waste (HHW). To prevent serious injury, illness, damage to property, and harm to the environment, these items require special disposal. Never put HHW in your garbage or recycling carts, down the drain or into the storm drain.

HHW transfer station disposal locations

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Residents can self-haul HHW for free disposal at drop-off locations at the transfer stations during select hours . If choosing to self-haul, keep in mind that to prevent litter and injury, the state of Washington and local ordinances require all loads being hauled to be secured and covered. Department of Ecology offers additional information including tips to secure your load. 

All HHW drop-off locations require the visitor to fill out a short form (name, address, and signature verifying the waste is not generated from a business). 

HHW drop-offs are limited to 25 gallons or 200 pounds per visit. (Exception: nicotine/vaping products are limited to 1 gallon per visit.)

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  • Adhesives, glues, caulk, epoxy resins, sealants
  • Aerosols
  • Antifreeze*
  • Batteries (single-use, alkaline, rechargeable, lithium ion, etc.)
  • Chemical fertilizers
  • Cleaners, bleach, degreasers, polishes, waxes
  • Cooking oil
  • E-cigarette/vaping devices and nicotine liquids (limited to 1 gallon per visit)
  • Fire extinguishers*
  • Fuel, gasoline, propane, white gas, lighter fluid, diesel oil
  • Lead-acid vehicle batteries*
  • Medical sharps* (must be in a puncture-proof container labeled "sharps")
  • Mercury-containing lights*, thermostats, thermometers, switches
  • Motor oil*
  • Non-controlled medications
  • Paints, inks, stains, primers
  • Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides
  • Solvents, thinners, paint strippers

*The asterisk indicates this item can be dropped off during all hours of operation of the transfer stations, not just designated HHW hours.

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Items that are explosive or controlled are not accepted at the HHW drop-off locations at the transfer stations for safety reasons. The following are not accepted:

  • Asbestos (dispose of at West Vancouver and Central Transfer Stations for a fee)
  • Ammunition (contact law enforcement)
  • Bio-medical waste (paid disposal through hazardous waste companies)
  • Business hazardous waste (paid disposal through hazardous waste companies)
  • Controlled medications (drop off at select pharmacies and law enforcement)
  • Explosives, fireworks, flares (contact law enforcement)
  • Illicit substances (contact law enforcement)
  • Radioactive waste (paid disposal through hazardous waste companies)
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To avoid messy spills in your vehicle or driveway, securely pack materials in a plastic bin or cardboard box, lined with a garbage bag (preferably clear). Be prepared to leave your container behind as needed. 

Put items in your trunk or as far away from passengers as possible. 

Chemicals and liquids:

  • When possible, store all containers upright with lids secure.
  • Place leaking containers, containers without lids, and breakable containers into secondary containment, such as a chemical-resistant bucket or sealed plastic bag.
  • Protect glass containers by surrounding them with packing materials. 
  • Separate chemicals as much as possible to avoid accidental mixing. 
  • Label materials not in original containers. 

Fluorescent bulbs:

  • Pack bulbs separate from heavy things that can break the bulb.  
  • Pack 4-foot and 8-foot bulbs in original box if possible.

Devices with mercury:

  • Place thermometers, thermostats, or other mercury-containing devices in sealable bags.

Electronics:

  • Secure large TVs in the back of your vehicle with straps or by laying the TV glass side down. 

Alternative drop-off locations

In addition to the HHW drop-off locations at the transfer stations, there are many alternative locations to dispose of common hazardous items like paint, batteries, medications, and more. 

To look up specific materials and learn how to prepare and properly dispose of them, use the Recycling A-Z Directory or download the RecycleRight app. 

Battery drop-off locations

In 2023, Clark County partnered with Waste Connections of Washington to provide residents with convenient drop-off locations for no-cost battery recycling. This program aims to reduce the risk of fires and explosion from batteries being improperly put in garbage or recycling bins.

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Drop-offs are limited to 10 batteries per person per day. Larger quantities must be dropped off at the HHW locations at the transfer stations. 

Battery drop-off sites accept: 

  • Alkaline
  • Button and coin cell batteries
  • Carbon zinc
  • Lithium-ion (Li-Ion)
  • Lithium primary
  • Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd)
  • Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)
  • Nickel zinc (Ni-Zn)
  • Small-sealed lead acid under 5 pounds (SSLA/Pb)
  • All cellphones regardless of size, make, model or age.

Not accepted:

  • Batteries from businesses
  • Batteries larger than 300Wh
  • Battery-containing products (except cell phones)
    • For your safety, never attempt to remove batteries that are embedded or built into devices if not readily accessible. Damaging these inner batteries can pose serious health and safety risks, including fire and combustion hazards.
  • Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries*
  • Vaping or e-cigarette devices and products*
  • Vehicle batteries*
  • Other hazardous waste*

*These items can be dropped off at the HHW drop-off locations at the transfer stations. 

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Call before you drive. Batteries must be individually bagged or have the ends taped to prevent hazards.

Nicotine vapes disposal 

Nicotine vapes are growing in popularity, which has led to a new household hazardous waste concern. Nicotine is extremely poisonous and extra nicotine liquid should be disposed of frequently. The batteries in nicotine vapes are also harmful if not properly discarded. Follow these guidelines for safe disposal. 

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Electronic nicotine devices (i.e., e-cigarettes or vape) contain a battery, tank, or cartridge that delivers nicotine or cannabis as a vapor.

Batteries:

  • If the batteries are removable from the device, the batteries can be managed the same as other household batteries.

Tank or cartridge:

  • If empty, the tank or cartridge can be disposed of as garbage. 
  • If partially or completely full, a nicotine tank or cartridge is considered HHW and should be disposed of at the HHW drop-off locations at the transfer stations. Quantity is limited to one gallon of vape products per visit.
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Cannabis is a controlled substance regulated in Washington as a pharmaceutical dangerous waste. Cannabis can only be disposed by sites authorized to handle controlled substances, such as pharmacies and police departments, and is not accepted at the transfer stations. Contact law enforcement for disposal information.

Contact information

Solid Waste Operations
Solid Waste Education & Outreach
564.397.7352
Email

RecycleRight service alerts & collection reminders

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Have questions about your upcoming pick-up day? Wondering about weather delays? Receive customized waste and recycling reminders and alerts using the RecycleRight calendar or download the app (available on Apple or Android devices). Using RecycleRight you can look up local reuse, recycling, and disposal options for specific items in the A–Z Directory as well as request collection of bulky items, electronic waste, and more.

Green Neighbors

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For more information on safe disposal and ideas for reducing household hazardous wastes in your home, check out the resources available through the Green Neighbors program. Green Neighbors connects Clark County residents with ways to live sustainably and reduce their impact on our natural world.

Sign up for the Green Neighbors newsletter to keep informed on current programs and outreach efforts.