Household Hazardous Waste

The Household Hazardous Waste Plus Event returns on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2025. Event details will be posted here later this summer. Visit tol.ca/takeitback for items that can be dropped off year-round, for free at participating depots.

Household hazardous waste is anything with a warning symbol on the label (such as flammable, corrosive, explosive, or poisonous), as well as anything unidentifiable.

Some of the most common examples include:

• Appliances containing refrigerant (fridges, freezers, etc.)
• Automotive wastes (motor oil, antifreeze, etc.)
• Batteries; aerosols and propane cylinders
• Cleaning agents and caustics
• Electronics (TVs, cell phones, mp3 players, etc.)
• Mercury-containing wastes (switches, fluorescent lighting, thermometers, etc.)
• Paint and solvents
• Radioactive waste

These types of items are not accepted in municipal waste or recycling collection and should never be dumped down drains and sewers, buried, thrown in the garbage, or dumped illegally. Additionally, do not leave these items in your home, garage, or yard, as they can leach into soil and water, or harm people and animals.

It is important to dispose of these items carefully, via participating depots or programs, or at the Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection Event held in the fall.

Remember, when it comes to household hazardous waste materials, never:

• Pour them down the drain or on the ground
• Dump them into the storm sewer
• Discard them in the garbage
• Bury them

Municipal sewage systems and private septic systems cannot filter or remove these products from our wastewater, which would allow hazardous substances to enter waterways. Burying these items can lead to groundwater contamination.

If your product label contains one of the following warning symbols, or you suspect it to be hazardous, it must be disposed in a safe and responsible manner:

How to dispose of household hazardous waste

Residents are encouraged to visit local drop-off depots for hazardous waste items. Many items can be disposed of year-round and free-of-charge. Instead of waiting for the yearly collection event, check the following resources to find drop-off options most convenient to you:

• Contact the Recycling Council of BC through the Recyclepedia search, phone, text, chat, or email for local drop-off sites.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs provide residents with free and convenient drop-off options for batteries, small appliances, tires, and more, all year long.
• Looking to dispose of motor oil, filters, antifreeze, or their containers? Visit interchangerecycling.com.