The City of Palo Alto provides environmentally safe and convenient hazardous waste disposal options for residents and small businesses.

These options include the monthly Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off events, appointment based events, home pickup for residents with physical limitations, drop-off of selected wastes at the Palo Alto Recycling Center and the Water Quality Control Plant, and small business and non-profit organization drop-off programs.

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Less-Toxic Solutions

The ultimate solution to the household hazardous waste problem is to reduce dependence on toxic/hazardous products and use them only when necessary. Disposing of these products, even through our program, should be viewed as a last resort. Use less toxic/hazardous alternatives whenever you can and only purchase those toxic/hazardous products in small quantities and use them to completion.

The following are a few tips to help you reduce the amount hazardous chemicals you have in your home and the amount of HHW you produce.

• Do away with or limit the use of household products that contain hazardous chemicals. Instead of using a caustic drain cleaner use a metal snake instead. Instead of purchasing the large can of product purchase the smaller size. You will be more likely to use this can up more quickly and not have to store the chemical in the home for long periods of time. Check out these web sites to learn more about household products:
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Household Products Database
    Consumer Reports
• Purchase less toxics products. These products are safer for the environment and safer for you. It is good to purchase products that have had life cycle analysis performed on them. Look for products that contain less toxic chemicals. Some common “green certification” web sites include:
  • Green Seal
  • Ecologo
  • MBDC cradle to cradle
  • SMART certification by MTS
  • Healthy Child Healthy World
• You can also search for less toxic and more sustainable products by visiting Consumer Reports at http://www.greenerchoices.org/
• Shop at stores that are more environmentally friendly. Palo Alto Hardware has a whole line of green products that are safe for the environment as does Country Sun Natural Foods and Whole Foods Market to name a few.
  • For a list of “Green Businesses” click on the following link: http://www.greenbiz.ca.gov/ShopGreen.html
  • When purchasing paint ask the sales professionals to help you calculate your coverage amount. Coverage amount is the calculated volume of paint needed to paint a given square footage. This saves you money and you purchase only what you need!
• The most difficult types of household products to recycle are cleaners, corrosives, and poisons (including fertilizers, pesticides, and medicines). It is important to use these types of chemicals sparingly and to completion.

Related Links

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Household Products Database
U.S. National Library of Medicine, ToxMystery (fun for kids!)

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Residential Programs

The City of Palo Alto has various Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Programs available for Palo Alto residents. To participate you must be a resident of Palo Alto.

Acceptable Proofs of Residency include:

• Current Driver’s License with current Palo Alto address
• Current vehicle registration with Palo Alto address

Accepted items vary depending on program, see program description for detailed lists.

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Accepted Items 

Accepted items vary depending on program. The following are items accepted in the residential Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Programs.

• Pesticides
• Mercury wastes (thermometers, thermostats, switches)
• Latex & Oil based paints
• Medications (No controlled substances)
• Gasoline, paint thinner or other fuels and solvents (in non-returnable container)
• Fluorescent light bulbs, tubes and ballasts
• Asbestos (wetted and double bagged - 2 bags maximum)
• Road flares
• Propane tanks (tanks used for BBQ’s and camp stoves)
• Motor Oil (in non-returnable container)
• Antifreeze (in non-returnable container)
• Auto Batteries
• Household Batteries (e.g., AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt, hearing aid, camera)
• Cooking Oil and Grease (in non-returnable container)
• Cleaners, bleach, pool chemicals
• Household injection needles (must be in rigid container with a sealed lid)

 
NOT Accepted 

• Electronic Waste
• Large gas cylinders
• Non-propane or butane gas cylinders
• Radioactive wastes
• Infectious waste (containing body tissues or fluids)
• Controlled substances
• Explosive wastes
• Marine flares - contact the Coast Guard.
• Fireworks - contact the Fire Department. Call (650) 329-2184.
• Ammunition - contact the Police Department. Call (650) 329-2413

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Monthly HHW Events

The monthly household hazardous waste events are held the first (1st) Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm and on two Fridays from 3pm to 5pm (one event in April and one event in September). The events are held at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) located at 2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Proof of Palo Alto residency (driver’s license or current utility bill) is required. For more information call (650) 496-6980.

Monthly HHW Event Schedule 

• Saturday, January 5, 2013
• Saturday, February 2, 2013 
• Saturday, March 2, 2013
• Friday/Saturday, April 5 and April 6, 2013 
• Saturday, May 4, 2013 
• Saturday, June 1, 2013 
• Saturday, July 6, 2013
• Saturday, August 3, 2013
• Friday/Saturday, September 6 and September 7, 2013
• Saturday, October 5, 2013 
• Saturday, November 2, 2013 
• Saturday, December 7, 2013 

Hours
9am to 12pm for Saturday events
3pm to 5pm for Friday events
  
Address
2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303
 
Directions
Take Embarcadero Road east towards the Palo Alto Baylands. As you come to the Palo Alto Golf Course entrance turn right onto Embarcadero Way. Continue on Embarcadero Way and turn left into the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.
 
 
Map

• 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per visit
• Must be a Palo Alto Resident (driver’s license or vehicle registration)

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Mid-Month HHW Appointment Events

The Palo Alto mid-month household hazardous waste drop-off program is TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to construction. Household hazardous waste can be brought to the 1st Saturday of the month HHW drop-off events.  Thank you for your patience!

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Physical Limitations At-Home Pick-Up

For residents that have physical limitations an application can be requested to have household hazardous wastes picked up from your place of residence. Physical limitation status must be confirmed by a doctor. Residents interested in signing up for the physical limitations program can download the application by clicking here or call (650) 496-6980 to request an application. Once the application has been approved just call the number above to schedule a pickup on one of the 1st Saturday of the month events.

Location: Contractor will drive to the home to pick-up the waste.
Phone: (650) 496-6980
Hours: 1st Saturday of each month.
 
Limitations 

• Requires doctor’s signature.
• Must submit Physical Limitation Application. Call (650) 496-6980 to request an application or click the above link to download the form.
• Must be a Palo Alto Resident.

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Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant

The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant accepts old medications (no controlled substances) and household injection needles from participating Cities. Participating Cities include Mountain View, Stanford, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. All other hazardous waste must be taken to the appropriate City or County Household Hazardous Waste Program. NOTE: Palo Alto residents may only use the City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Program. 

Hours 
Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm
  
Phone
(650) 329-2598

Address
2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Directions
Take Embarcadero Road east towards the Palo Alto Baylands. As you come to the Palo Alto Golf Course entrance turn right onto Embarcadero Way. Continue on Embarcadero Way and turn left into the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Please place items in the appropriate self-serve drop-off container.
 

• Old medications (no controlled substances)  
• Household injection needles (must be in rigid container with a sealed lid)

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Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) Station 

The SMaRT Station accepts electronics (computers, TVs), fluorescent bulbs, household batteries, motor oil and filters, cooking oil, antifreeze, auto batteries, and sharps (needles, sharps and lancets). Participating Cities include Mountain View, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale. All other hazardous waste must be taken to the appropriate City or County Household Hazardous Waste Program. NOTE: Palo Alto residents may only use the City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Program. 

Hours 
Daily from 8am to 5pm

Phone
(408) 752-8530
 
Address
301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94089


Waste Accepted

•  Electronics (computers, TVs)
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Household batteries
• Motor oil and filters
• Cooking oil
• Antifreeze
• Auto batteries
• Sharps (needles, sharps and lancets)

 
For more information go to Sunnyvale SMaRT Station

 
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Small Business/Non-Profit Organizations

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program (CESQG)

Businesses and non-profit organizations located in the communities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month can participate in Palo Alto's Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program (also known as the Small Business Hazardous Waste Program).

This program requires a registration and disposal fee based on the type and quantity of waste to be paid by the business. Appointments are on the 1st Saturday of each month following the household hazardous waste collection event. The business or non-profit organization must deliver the waste to 2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto. To register for an appointment call the City's hazardous waste contractor (Clean Harbors) at (800) 433-5060.

Hours
First Saturday of the month, by appointment only
 
 
Phone
(800) 433-5060


Address 
2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

 
Directions
Take Embarcadero Road east towards the Palo Alto Baylands. As you come to the Palo Alto Golf Course entrance turn right onto Embarcadero Way. Continue on Embarcadero Way and turn left into the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.

Map

Related Links

CESQG Brochure
Fluorescent Light Recycling Fact Sheet

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Transportation Requirements

• All waste containers should be properly secured in your vehicle to avoid falling over and spilling.
• Any leaking containers should be properly contained. Leaking containers can be placed into an unbroken clean container and secured with a lid.
• A plastic garbage bag can be used to keep odors contained during transportation to a drop off event.
• Keep your vehicle clean by putting down plastic or cardboard to keep carpets or upholstery clean.
• Limit 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per visit. You may make more than one trip to the HHW collection event.

State Law prohibits the transportation of more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste without a State hazardous waste hauler permit (HSC 25218.5.1). The City will not accept more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of HHW per visit. Residents that do not follow the State Law will be turned away. The law helps keep you and the roads safe of potential spills and chemical releases.

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Contact Information

HHW Program	(650) 496-6980
Appointment hotline (residents)*	(650) 496-5904
Appointment hotline (businesses)	(800) 433-5060
Physical limitations program**	(650) 496-6980
Zero Waste Palo Alto	(650) 496-5910

*Appointment events are held on scheduled Wednesdays from 11am to 1pm. Call for the next date and to make an appointment.

**Need to request an application. Requires a doctor’s signature.

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Program Goals

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program is an integral part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan relating to environmental concerns. Some of the comprehensive plan HHW references include:

• GOAL N-6: An Environment Free of the Damaging Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazardous Materials. “Palo Alto will also continue its household hazardous waste collection programs and will strive to make these programs more convenient and accessible to residents” (page N-21).
• PROGRAMS N-23 and N-28 relate to water quality issues and list Best Management Practices (BMPs) necessary to achieve the program objectives. Water quality issues of concern include the illegal disposal of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, poisons and other environmentally harmful chemicals into the sanitary sewer via sinks or toilets. The HHW Program is one of the primary BMPs listed in the plan necessary to meet these clean water objectives (page N-16).
• PROGRAM N-48: “Continue sponsoring a regular household hazardous waste collection event” (page N-22).
• PROGRAM N-50: “Continue the program that allows small quantity generators to dispose of hazardous waste at cost” (page N-22).

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History

Palo Alto’s HHW Program began in 1983 when Palo Alto became the second jurisdiction in the state to provide collection of household hazardous wastes to its residents in response to community concerns about toxic wastes in the environment. The objectives of the HHW Program were to provide a point of contact for educating the public about the safe use, storage, disposal and alternatives to HHW products, and to help reduce the release of HHW to storm drains, landfill and the sanitary sewer. In 1986, the Tanner Bill (AB 2948) was passed requiring counties to establish hazardous waste management plans (Health & Safety Code 25135-25135.9). In 1987, the Greene Bill (SB 477) was passed requiring each City to either adopt a city hazardous waste management plan or incorporate the County’s plan into the City’s plan.

In 1989, AB 939 was passed mandating that cities adopt and submit a HHW Element, a document that sets policies, objectives and programs for collection of HHW in compliance with state mandates. Palo Alto’s Household Hazardous Waste Element (HHWE) (June, 1991) evaluated HHW alternatives and selected the development of a permanent HHW facility to phase out the monthly collection events that were taking place during that time. At the time, since Palo Alto’s program predated the Santa Clara County (SCC) program, and since Palo Alto had a mature well-run HHW program, Palo Alto decided to continue its own program instead of joining the SCC HHW Program.

Initially the HHW Program was operated by volunteer City staff and collection days were infrequent. As the program grew, the collection days increased to four times per year and the City contracted out staffing to a hazardous waste management company. Now collection days are the first Saturday of each month.

In 2008 the HHW Program expanded to include an appointment based program. Residents can now call in and make an appointment for one or more weekday events scheduled mid-month. The appointment program provides a weekday drop off alternative to the monthly Saturday events. Call (650) 496-5904 to find out when the next appointment based event is scheduled.

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Related Links

Where To Take Your Batteries, Electronics and Lamps Department of Toxic Substance Control (Santa Clara County residents and businesses/non-profits)

Mail-Back Sharps Systems California Department of Public Health