Household hazardous waster (HHW) is waste from your home that is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive based on its chemical properties. Products such as batteries, paint and paint thinner, pesticides and fertilizers, and poisons are considered hazardous waste.
It’s illegal and unsafe to dump this waste in the trash or down the drain. San Mateo County’s HHW Program helps residents reuse, recycle, or responsibly manage residential hazardous waste for free at local businesses that collect common items such as batteries and fluorescent lights and neighborhood collection events.
If you have questions, contact hhw@smcgov.org or (650) 372-6200.