We are here to help you keep a safer home and a safer community year 'round. First, find ways to use fewer hazardous products in your home. Then dispose of unwanted or outdated products safely.
Drop-off Events
Residents may bring household hazardous waste to a scheduled drop-off event for no charge. Events are held on the third Saturday of each month (except December) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 164 Carl Road in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale residents do not need an appointment. For a full list of drop-off event dates, see the 2008 Calendar or call the Sunnyvale Recycling Program at (408) 730-7262. There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit.
Alternate drop-off times in other locations in the County are available (appointment only) by calling the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at (408) 299-7300.
Do not place any hazardous product in the garbage as doing so may cause harm to collection personnel and pollute the environment when sent to the landfill.
Safety First
Please remember that we put safety first: When you attend an event you will be asked to (1) stay in your car, (2) to have your hazardous materials for drop off separate from any other materials and placed in the truck of your car or the back of your pick up, and (3) to have the drop-off materials in a container that you leave at the event. For safe and efficient processing, it is important that you do not use crates or other containers that you want to returned to you. See complete guidelines from Santa Clara County, the event operator. Thank you for your help!
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Acceptable Materials
Household hazardous waste includes unwanted household, shop, and garden products that are caustic, corrosive, toxic, or flammable. Types of household hazardous waste may include:
- Adhesives
- Aerosol cans
- Antifreeze
- Automotive fluids
- Batteries
- Compressed gas cylinders
(less than 5 gal.) |
- Fire extinguishers
- Flammable or combustible liquids
- Fluorescent tubes Herbicides
- Household & automotive cleaners
- Insecticides
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- Latex & oil-based paints/ stains
- Mercury
- Motor oil
- Nail polish
- Oil filters
- Pool chemicals
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Bring the material in the original container or use a non-leaking, sealed container. State law limits transportation of household hazardous material to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per vehicle. Additional details for preparing your materials are available from the service provider, Santa Clara County. Do not bring materials in a box or other container that you want returned.
If you do not drive or are physically impaired, assistance may be available. Call (408) 730-7262 for information.
Unacceptable Materials
- Ammunition
- Explosives
- Radioactive Wastes
- Wastes in containers larger than 5 gallons
- Televisions (drop off at SMaRT Station)
- Computer Monitors (drop off at SMaRT Station)
Household Hazardous Waste Product Reuse
Santa Clara County and the City of Sunnyvale promote the reduction of household hazardous waste entering local landfills through product reuse. Unused or left-over paints, household cleaning products and garden supplies that can be reused by someone else will not become hazardous wastes. Therefore, each Santa Clara County HHW collection event features a household products "shop" where the public can pick up many typical household items FREE of charge. Included in the FREE products available at most events are automotive products, household cleaners, fertilizers, aerosols, paints and thinners.
The Re-Use "shop" at the Sunnyvale drop-off site is open from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at (408) 299-7300 or visit the Re-Use Program website for more information.
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SMaRT Station - for Residential Electronic Waste, Fluorescent Bulbs and Some Automotive Fluids
Residents of Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto may bring certain types of hazardous products (see list directly below) to the SMaRT Station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week free of charge. For more information, call (408) 730-7262.
- Antifreeze
- Batteries -- automotive, rechargeable and household
- Electronics
- Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes
- Mercury containing thermostats and thermometers
- Motor oil and oil filters
Reduce the Use of Hazardous Products in Your Home
Proper disposal of hazardous waste is extremely expensive and available disposal is limited. To reduce the amount of hazardous material in our community, we can start at home. Click here for a list of safer alternatives.
Follow these tips to keep your home and our community safe:
- Use non-toxic housekeeping, gardening, and hobby supplies whenever possible.
- Buy only what you need. Plan ahead. Then read and follow directions exactly.
- Keep unused portions in the original containers and store in a safe place away from children, pets, or sources of ignition.
- Use up, rather than throw out, hazardous substances. For example, paint small quantities of excess latex paint on scrap wood or cardboard. The empty dry cans can be disposed of in the regular trash (please remove lids).
- Never mix different products; explosive or poisonous chemical reactions may occur.
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