Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them. These discarded products are considered Household Hazardous Waste or HHW. Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them out with the regular trash.
HHW that you wish to discard should NOT be placed in your regular trash. Such waste can be corrosive, toxic, ignitable, flammable, or reactive and co-mingling them with your refuse could create a dangerous situation. In addition to the dangers this can cause at your home, much of your regular refuse goes to landfills where HHW can contaminate soil and seep into ground water.
Learn more about safe management and reduction of HHW in your home.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers for Los Angeles Residents
S.A.F.E. Centers (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) are permanent collection sites that are open every weekend for residents to drop off their household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste). Click here for a list of locations, operating hours, and items accepted and not accepted at S.A.F.E. Centers.