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Brought to you by Zero Waste Marin

Residential Hazardous Waste Disposal

Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility provides free hazardous waste disposal for Marin County residents, except Novato. We accept a wide range of household products that can’t safely be disposed of in the trash or poured down the drain.

Disposing of household hazardous waste is easy. Just pull up to the facility, stay in your vehicle, and an attendant will help you unload your materials. We’ll take care of the rest. 

Not sure if we accept something? Browse the materials below or call us at 415-485-6806 or contact us if you have questions.

Novato Residents

Use the Novato HHW Facility for household hazardous waste disposal.

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Accepted Items:  

Before You Visit

What We Accept

The items shown are examples of materials we accept and are not a complete list.

If you’re unsure about an item, call us at 415-485-6806 or contact us before you visit.

Household Products

Batteries

rechargeable, AA, and button batteries
  • Alkaline (AAA, AA, C, D)
  • Carbon Zinc
  • Lithium (coin, button, AA, and nine-volt )
  • Mercury
  • Rechargeable (Nickel-Cadmium)
  • Silver Oxide (button cells)
  • Zinc Air (button cells)
Other Convenient Drop-Off Options

Many common household batteries can also be recycled at drop-off locations throughout Marin County through Zero Waste Marin’s battery recycling program.

Find a battery drop-off location →

Important: Damaged or corroded batteries are accepted only at the HHW Facility.

Special Handling

Prepare Batteries for Drop-OffIllustration of a AA battery with terminals taped for recycling
  • Tape terminals with electrical or clear tape to prevent fires. NO DUCT tape!
  • Place in clear bag.
  • Take to the Marin HHW Facility or a battery drop-off location.

Cleaning Products

  • Detergents, ammonia, tile cleaners
  • Tub cleaners, bleach-base cleaners, window cleaners
  • Oven cleaners, polishes, air fresheners

Light Bulbs

  • Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
  • Fluorescent Tubes
  • Halogen Bulbs
  • Metal Halide Bulbs
  • U-Bend Shaped Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Circular Fluorescent Tubes
  • LED Bulbs
  • Ballasts Containing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

 

Limit: 10 bulbs or tubes per visit.

Other Convenient Drop-Off Options

Many light bulbs can also be recycled at drop-off locations throughout Marin County through Zero Waste Marin’s recycling program.

Find a bulb drop-off location →

Important: Broken or damaged bulbs are accepted only at the Marin HHW Facility.

Personal Care Products

  • Beauty products in aerosol cans
  • Hair color kits & hair sprays
  • Nail polishes & removers
  • Perfumes

Garden, Home & Other Materials

Garden Products

Rodent killer box, bug spray, and a fertilizer jug
  • Fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides
  • Pesticides, insecticides and rodenticide

Asbestos

Bag of Asbestos sealed in Marin HHW bag
Only Marin HHW bags are accepted.
Bags are provided at no cost.
  • Roof shingles, floor, and ceiling tiles
  • Siding and insulation (ducts, furnaces, pipes)

Special Handling

Prepare Asbestos for Drop-Off
  • Get the required bags first. Contact the Marin HHW Facility before removing or transporting asbestos. Bags are provided at no cost.
  • Place only asbestos in the provided bags: no debris, metal, tiles, wood, or other materials.
  • Seal each bag with duct tape and double-bag it.
  • Each bag holds up to 50 pounds; a maximum of 100 pounds is accepted per household once a week.
  • Damaged or improperly contained bags will not be accepted.

Pressurized Cylinders

A soda pressurized cylinder, and two small propane and butane gas cylinders
  • Propane and butane gas cylinders (smaller than 5 gallons)
  • CO2 cylinders for home soda machines

Important: Oxygen tanks are not accepted

Less Common Household Waste

  • Pool chemicals — up to 5 gallons per week
  • Fire extinguishers — up to 3 per household
  • Road flares —  up to 5 per household
  • Photo chemicals (fixers and developers)
  • Mercury-containing devices: thermostats,
    thermometers, switches, and relays

Important: Marine flares are not accepted at HHW facilities. Marine flares are handled through Zero Waste Marin’s Boat & Marina Hazardous Waste programs.

Electronics

Computers & Office Electronics 

A printer and a laptop
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptops
  • Computer monitors
  • Printers
  • Fax machines
  • Computer peripherals
  • Cables, wires & chargers

Phones & Mobile Devices

An answering machine, broken mobile phone and tablet
  • Cell phones
  • Wireless telephones
  • Answering machines
  • Tablets

TVs & Audio/Video Equipment

A speaker and LCD TV
  • CRT televisions
  • LCD televisions
  • DVD players
  • Video cassette recorders (VCRs)
  • Stereo equipment
  • iPods

Other Electronics

a calculator and microwave oven
  • Microwave
  • Calculator
  • Portable jump starters
Other Convenient Drop-Off Options

Electronics can also be recycled at these convenient locations. Please call ahead to confirm current hours and accepted items before visiting.

Best Buy – San Rafael
660 Francisco Blvd. West
San Rafael, CA 94901

Renew Computers – San Rafael
446 Du Bois Street
San Rafael, CA 94901

Electronic vs. Electric Appliances

Electronic devices are accepted at the Marin HHW Facility; electric appliances are not. Computers, TVs, phones and other electronics can be recycled here. Electric appliances such as toasters, blenders, coffee makers, fans, humidifiers, irons, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and air conditioners can be recycled for a fee at the Marin Resource Recovery Center in San Rafael. Call 415-485-5647 for more information.

Paint Products

Paint Products

1 gallon cans of latex and oil-based paint and a spray paint can
  • Latex paint
  • Oil-based paint
  • Aerosol paint
Other Convenient Drop-Off Options

Recycle household paint for free through PaintCare at participating drop-off locations throughout Marin County. Accepted products include house paint, primers, stains, sealers, and other qualifying coatings.

Find a PaintCare drop-off location →

Solvents & Removers

A can of Paint Thinner
  • Paint thinner
  • Solvents
  • Paint removers

 

Wood Finishes

A can of Wood Stain
  • Wood preservatives
  • Stains
  • Wood finishes

Sealants

A tube of caulk, a tube of wood glue, and a small red glue
  • Roofing tar
  • Putty
  • Caulk
  • Construction adhesives
  • Glues

Auto Care Products

Used Motor Oil & Filters

A car motor oil bottle, and a dirty spin-on and cartridge filter
  • Used motor oil
  • Used oil filters
Other Convenient Drop-Off Options

Used motor oil and oil filters can also be recycled for free at certified collection centers throughout Marin County.

Find a used oil recycling location →

Special Handling

Prepare Used Motor Oil for Drop-Off
  • Collect used oil in a clean, leak-proof container.
  • Keep oil separate from antifreeze, gasoline, and other fluids. Contaminated oil cannot be recycled.
  • Drain oil filters and place them in a sealed plastic bag.

Automotive Fluids

A gas can and jug of window cleaner liquid
  • Antifreeze
  • Gasoline & diesel
  • Brake fluid
  • Transmission fluid

Car Care Products

A car battery and several spray bottles of car cleaners and polishes
  • Car batteries
  • Cleaners & detailing products
  • Waxes & polishes

Other Items We Accept

Sharps

A needle, hypodermic pen, and lancet
  • Hypodermic, pen, and intravenous needles and other sharps used to deliver medication

 

Residential customers only. Businesses and medical facilities cannot use this service.

Other Convenient Drop-Off Option

Needle and sharps drop-off locations are also available at participating pharmacies throughout Marin County. 

Find medications drop-off locations →

Special Handling

Prepare Sharps for Drop-Off
Need a sharps container? One approved sharps container is available at no cost per resident, while supplies last.
  • Place sharps in an approved, puncture-resistant sharps container with a secure lid.
  • Containers should be securely sealed when about ¾ full.
  • Up to two sharps containers may be dropped off per week.
Find medication drop-off locations

The HHW Facility does not accept prescription or over-the-counter medications. Medication disposal is available at participating pharmacies and other collection locations throughout Marin County.

Find medications drop-off locations →

Cooking Oil

Two bottles of cooking oil
  • Liquid cooking oil only
  • Cooking grease
  • Used frying oil

Important: Solidified cooking oil can go in your compost cart.

Vapes

  • Disposable vapes
  • Rechargeable vape devices
  • E-cigarettes and vape pens

Special Handling

Prepare Vapes for Drop-Off
  • If the battery is removable, remove it and tape the battery terminals.
  • Place the vape device in a sealed plastic bag before bringing it to the HHW Facility.
  • Do not attempt to remove non-removable batteries.

Smoke Detectors

  • Ionization smoke detectors
  • Photoelectric smoke detectors
  • Combination smoke/CO alarms

Don’t See Your Item?

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’re happy to help you find the right disposal option.

Call 415-485-6806 or contact us.

Items We Don't Accept

The Marin HHW Facility does not accept every type of household waste. The items below require different disposal options.
  • Medications — For medication disposal and other residential medical waste, visit Marin County Environmental Health
  • Ammunition, firearms, and explosives — Contact local law enforcement or the appropriate disposal program

Before You Visit

Check What You’re Bringing

Make sure your materials are accepted before you arrive. If you’re unsure about an item, contact us before bringing it to the facility.

Read the Labels

Read product labels before handling or transporting hazardous materials. Follow any safety precautions listed on the product.

Keep Materials in Their Original Containers

Whenever possible, keep products in their original containers with the labels intact.

If a container is damaged, place it in a secure secondary container and clearly identify the contents. Do not combine or mix different products.

Do not place hazardous materials in garbage bags. Instead, place containers upright in a sturdy box lined with newspaper or another absorbent material to help prevent spills.

Know the Quantity Limits

Material Maximum per visit
Household hazardous waste
15 gallons or 125 pounds liquid/dry combined
Latex paint + motor oil
Up to 20 gallons combined
Individual containers
5 gallons or 50 pounds each

household hazardous waste: 15 gallons or 125 pounds liquid/dry combined

latex paint + motor oil: up to 20 gallons combined

individual containers: 5 gallons or 50 pounds each

Bring Proof of Marin County Residency

The facility is free for Marin County residents, so you will need to provide proof of residency when you drop off your materials.

Accepted proof includes:

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Recent tax document
  • Utility bill

What to Expect at the Facility

1.

Arrive & Stay in Your Vehicle
Follow the signs to the residential HHW drop-off area and remain in your vehicle. An attendant will come to you.

2.

Tell Us What You Brought & Show Proof of Residency
Let the attendant know what materials you’re bringing and provide proof that you are a Marin County resident.

3.

We’ll Unload Your Materials
The attendant will review your materials, direct you where needed, and unload the accepted materials from your vehicle.
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