Hazardous Waste Disposal
Household Hazardous Waste
Many common household products are legally defined as hazardous. These materials can pose a threat to human health, animals, and the environment. For more information, call the Household Hazardous Waste Information Line at (831) 454-2606. The Santa Cruz County Hazardous Waste Program is sponsored by the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Capitola and Santa Cruz.
Free drop-off at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities:
- Sharps & Medicines - CVS, 809 Bay Avenue, 831.477.1421 and 1750 41st Avenue, 831.475.6400 (sharps and medicine) ; Rite Aid, 1475 41st Ave, 831.476.7282
- Capitola Police Department, 422 Capitola Avenue, 831.475.4242 (medicines only);
- Household Batteries - Household batteries can be collected curbside with your weekly recycling at no additional charge. Please place batteries in a sealed clear zip-lock bag and set them on top of your blue recycling container (not inside).
- Unwanted paint, cleaning supplies, solvents, pesticides, garden & pool chemicals - Buena Vista Landfill, 1231 Buena Vista Drive, Watsonville, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Ben Lomond Transfer Station, 9835 Newell Creek Road Ben Lomond, Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility, 605 Dimeo Lane, 3 miles north of Santa Cruz off of Hwy 1, Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
| What to Bring | What Not to Bring |
| Art & Hobby Supplies | NO Explosives |
| Degreasers and solvents | NO Infectious Wastes |
| Flammable Liquids | NO Radioactive Materials |
| Outdated Medicines | NO Waste Oil, Oil Filters, Batteries, anti-freeze (take to disposal site recycling centers) |
| Paint & Paint products | No Commercial Hazardous Wastes |
| Pesticides | |
| Photographic Chemicals | |
| Pool, hot tub & Spa Supplies |
In case of an emergency caused by the improper use of household chemicals, call 911.
