Household hazardous waste in San Diego County
CalRecycle: it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, storm drains, or on the ground.
Below are the household hazardous waste rules of 19 San Diego County jurisdictions, from their own pages, and the 9 facilities in the records.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · coronado.ca.us · sandiegocounty.gov · cityofsanteeca.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · escondido.gov · delmar.ca.us · wm.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · vista.gov · carlsbadca.gov
What each city's rules say
| Jurisdiction | Its rules on household hazardous waste | Sites its rules name |
|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | No city-run facility; HHW handled via contracted programs. Palomar Transfer Station (5960 El Camino Real) accepts many HHW items Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; some materials go to the Vista HHW Collection Facility (1145 E. Taylor St., Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m.). Proof of residency required for Republic's free programs. Fees: not published with a date — confirm with Republic Services. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Chula Vista | HHW Drop-off Facility, 1800 Maxwell Rd (City Public Works Center): Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., except holiday weekends; walk-up, no appointment. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Coronado | HHW collection generally the 2nd and 4th Saturday monthly from 9 a.m. at the Public Services Facility, 101 B Ave; Coronado residents only; driver's license checked; no business/contractor waste; medical waste and prescription drugs not accepted (police station drop-off instead). | Coronado HHW Collection (Public Services Facility) |
| Del Mar | Del Mar residents use permanent HHW facilities in Poway (12325 Crosthwaite Cir, Sat 9–3), Vista (1145 E Taylor St, Sat 9–3) or Escondido (1044 W Washington Ave, appointment only, two Saturdays/month); proof of Del Mar residency required. Fees: not published with a date — confirm with EDCO. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal) |
| El Cajon | El Cajon HHW Facility, 925 O'Connor St (at Waste Management); City residents call (619) 287-5696 or book online (per County regional HHW page). EDCO: free HHW drop-off at 950 O'Connor St, Saturdays, appointment only; CRTs accepted. | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St) |
| Encinitas | Encinitas residents can use the North County regional HHW facilities: 12325 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, and 1145 E. Taylor St., Vista, both Saturdays (except holiday weekends) 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Home pickup of HHW via (800) 714-1195 for a nominal co-pay. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Escondido | City residents use the HHW site at 1044 W Washington Ave (Escondido Disposal): two Saturdays a month by appointment; call 760-745-3203 or book online; business waste not accepted. Transport limit 15 gal / 125 lb; door-to-door HHW collection for residents 65+ or with a handicap placard via 800-714-1195. City residents may also use the Vista and Poway HHW facilities (Saturdays, no appointment). | Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal); Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach residents use the regional HHW facility at 1800 Maxwell Rd, Chula Vista (619-691-5122), Wednesdays & Saturdays 9–1, through a South Bay regional arrangement operated by the City of Chula Vista. Sharps go to the IB Sheriff's Station. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| La Mesa | No permanent HHW facility; the City runs free appointment-only HHW/e-waste collection events for incorporated La Mesa and Lemon Grove residents (2026 Saturdays: Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 28, May 2, Jun 6, Jul 25, Sep 19, Oct 17, Dec …); limit 15 gal, 125 lb, or five monitors/TVs; book via EDCO (619) 287-5696 x4270. | — |
| Lemon Grove | Free residential HHW drop-off by appointment only (EDCO 619-287-5696 x4270) at City/EDCO collection events; free bi-monthly Home Pickup Program for HHW. | — |
| National City | Free drop-off at the South Bay Household Hazardous Waste collection facility, 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista: Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., except holiday weekends; limit 15 gal or 125 lbs per vehicle; no business waste; bring CA driver's license/ID or recent utility bill; info (619) 691-5122. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Oceanside | WM accepts HHW every other Saturday by appointment only; call WM at (760) 439-2824. Accepted: paint/stain/varnish/thinner, adhesives, auto products/used oil/filters, batteries/fluorescent bulbs/CFLs, cleaners/sprays, pesticides and garden chemicals, sharps. Free curbside HHW collection by reservation for seniors or disabled persons only. Sharps also accepted at the Oceanside Senior Centers (455 Country Club Ln; 3302 Senior Center Dr). | — |
| Poway | Poway HHW Collection Facility, 12325 Crosthwaite Circle: free disposal of HHW and e-waste for residents, every Saturday 9–3 (closed listed holiday Saturdays), no appointment, proof of residency required; transport limit 15 gal / 125 lb in containers ≤5 gal. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| San Diego | HHW Transfer Facility (Miramar): City of San Diego residents only, appointment only, free; Wednesdays & Saturdays 9 a.m.; proof of City residency; max 15 gal / 125 lb per trip. Does NOT accept electronics/e-waste, swollen batteries, business waste, treated wood, appliances, asbestos, containers over 5 gal, most compressed gas cylinders, explosives, lead paint waste, PCB items, radioactive material. | City of San Diego Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (Miramar) |
| San Marcos | City says it has contracted with two facilities. EDCO's San Marcos page lists the North County Regional HHW Collection Facility, 1145 E. Taylor St., Vista, Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (except holiday weekends), hotline (800) 714-1195; residents 65+ or with a handicap placard can get free door-to-door collection via (800) 714-1195. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Santee | Santee residents use the permanent HHW facility operated by Waste Management in El Cajon (925 O'Conner St): 2nd and 4th Saturdays, appointment only via WM 619-596-5100; loads ≤125 lb / 15 gal; no explosives, medical waste, or business waste. | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St) |
| Solana Beach | Two regional permanent facilities, open every Saturday (except holiday weekends) 9 a.m.–3 p.m., free to residents (City subsidizes cost): 1145 East Taylor St at Laguna Lane, Vista, and 12325 Crosthwaite Circle at Stowe Dr, Poway. Proof of residency required; 125 lb limit. Fees: not published with a date — confirm with EDCO. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Vista | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 1145 E. Taylor Street (across from Vista Public Works yard): Saturdays only 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (except holiday weekends), no appointment, at no cost; for residents of Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, San Marcos and Carlsbad; proof of residency required. Residents 65+ or with a registered handicap placard can arrange free door-to-door collection via (800) 714-1195. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Unincorporated San Diego County | Unincorporated residents have four permanent HHW facilities (proof of residency required): Ramona (324 Maple St; appointment; 1st & 3rd Saturdays 9–1), Chula Vista (1800 Maxwell Rd; no appointment; Wed & Sat 9–1), Escondido (1044 W Washington Ave; appointment; select Saturdays 12:30–2:45), El Cajon (925 O'Connor St; listed as not currently open to unincorporated residents at time of access). Transport limit 15 gal / 125 lb per trip. Incorporated-city residents must use their own city's program. | Ramona HHW Facility (County of San Diego); South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal); El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St) |
Sources (checked September 2026): carlsbadca.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · coronado.ca.us · delmar.ca.us · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitasca.gov · escondido.gov · escondidodisposal.com · escondido.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · lemongrove.ca.gov · nationalcityca.gov · national-city.edcodisposal.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sanmarcosca.prod.govaccess.org · san-marcos.edcodisposal.com · cityofsanteeca.gov · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov · vista.gov · city-of-vista.edcodisposal.com
Sites in the records, by city
| City | Site | Who can use it | Hours | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility1800 Maxwell Road | Free for residents of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, and unincorporated San Diego County; City of San Diego residents not accepted. Proof: valid CA driver's license, ID card, or recent utility bill. | Wednesdays and Saturdays only, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. | Fees: Free. |
| Coronado | Coronado HHW Collection (Public Services Facility)101 B Avenue | Coronado residents only; driver's license checked; no business or contractor waste. | Generally held the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (2026 closures: May 23, November 28, December 26). | Fees: confirm with City of Coronado. |
| El Cajon | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St)925 O'Connor Street | Appointment only. City of El Cajon residents book via EDCO (619) 287-5696 ext. 4270; Santee residents via WM 619-596-5100. County page: appointments 'temporarily closed to unincorporated residents until further notice'. | Second and fourth Saturdays of the month, by appointment only (per City of Santee). Hours not published. | Fees: No disposal charge (Santee); free for El Cajon residents (EDCO). |
| Escondido | Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal)1044 West Washington Avenue | City of Escondido residents (appointment via Escondido Disposal 760-745-3203) and unincorporated County residents (appointment via County 877-713-2784). Del Mar residents also directed here (seed). Business waste not accepted. | Sources differ — confirm with Escondido Disposal. City of Escondido HHW page says 9:00–12:30 for City residents; its e-waste page says 9–3; County page gives 12:30–2:45 for County residents. | Fees: Free for City of Escondido residents. |
| Oceanside | WM Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Oceanside) | Oceanside residents (WM City of Oceanside guide); appointment only. | every other Saturday by appointment only | Fees: confirm with WM. |
| Poway | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility12325 Crosthwaite Circle | Proof of residency (formal I.D. or current utility bill) required. Poway page says 'Poway residents'; City of Del Mar (seed) and City of Escondido pages also direct their residents here. | Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is required. Closed April 4, May 23, July 4, September 5, November 28, December 26, and January 2. | Fees: confirm with City of Poway. |
| Ramona | Ramona HHW Facility (County of San Diego)324 Maple Street | Unincorporated San Diego County residents; appointment required; bring proof of residency/address. | Appointments are available 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. | Fees: confirm with County of San Diego. |
| San Diego | City of San Diego Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (Miramar)5161 Convoy St. | City of San Diego residents only, by appointment only; bring proof of City residency (photo ID or recent bill with name and address). Residents of other areas directed to their own city; unincorporated residents to 877-713-2784. | Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays (closed November 28, 2026; December 26, 2026; January 2, 2027). | Fees: Free for City of San Diego residents. |
| Vista | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility1145 E. Taylor Street | Free for residents of Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Carlsbad; proof of residency required. Del Mar residents also directed here (seed). | Saturdays only, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. No appointment necessary. Closed holiday weekends (2026: April 4, May 23, July 4, September 5, November 28, December 26; January 2). | Fees: Free for listed cities' residents. |
Sources (checked November 2026): chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · coronado.ca.us · sandiegocounty.gov · cityofsanteeca.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · escondido.gov · delmar.ca.us · wm.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · vista.gov · carlsbadca.gov
State rules
- CalRecycle: it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, storm drains, or on the ground.
- CalRecycle's 'Wastes Banned From the Trash' page lists fluorescent lamps/tubes, all batteries (incl. car batteries), and electronic devices as banned from the trash, recycling, or organics bin.
- Latex paint, oil-based paint, non-empty aerosol paint/solvent cans, solvents, antifreeze, motor oil and filters are listed as banned from the trash; tires are banned though not hazardous.
- PaintCare operates drop-off sites throughout California; no charge to drop off; funded by a fee on new paint; sites accept house paint (architectural coatings); large-volume (100+ gal) pickup is free.
- Used motor oil can be taken to a certified collection center; centers may cap at 5 gallons/day; locator via 1-800-CLEANUP or CalRecycle database.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · paintcare.org · calrecycle.ca.gov
Or have it hauled
JunkMD+ doesn't haul household hazardous waste — paint, motor oil, batteries and propane go to the facilities above. For everything else in the garage or the house, see what we take and what we don't.
Sources
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · paintcare.org · calrecycle.ca.gov · carlsbadca.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · coronado.ca.us · delmar.ca.us · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitasca.gov · escondido.gov · escondidodisposal.com · escondido.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · lemongrove.ca.gov · nationalcityca.gov · national-city.edcodisposal.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sanmarcosca.prod.govaccess.org · san-marcos.edcodisposal.com · cityofsanteeca.gov · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov · vista.gov · city-of-vista.edcodisposal.com · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · wm.com · sandiego.gov · carlsbadca.gov
Reviews
A selection of our Google reviews — read all 1,465 on Google
This is the second time I have used the service. I suggested an empty truck and they brought one. Chris was ontime , professional, gave me a quote and went to work. I am grateful for their service.
These guys were great. I called and they were able to get me scheduled the next day. I just pointed and they hauled. Fast, friendly service.
Two very courteous, delightfully upbeat gentleman came to take an old, heavy safe out of my downstairs office. They never gave up lifting that ridiculous, heavy thing up narrow stairs, on to the street. Their truck was too high to lift the safe up to, so they immediately called for another more appropriate to haul the safe up.…
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