Household hazardous waste drop-off in Orange County, California
Updated . By Landen Chu, Co-founder of OakTend. How we research
This is general information. OC Waste & Recycling, the county agency that runs the centers, has the final word.
Where are the drop-off centers?
The county's household hazardous waste page lists four centers. You can use any of them, whatever city you live in.
- Anaheim: 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim 92806
- Huntington Beach: 17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6, Huntington Beach 92647
- Irvine: 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine 92618
- San Juan Capistrano: 32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano 92675
They are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on major holidays and in rainy weather. Bring proof that you live in Orange County, since staff may ask for it.
What can I bring?
The county's fact sheet lists what it takes. For a home, that includes:
- Oil or latex paint, stains, thinners, paint strippers and glues
- Household batteries, car batteries and e-bike batteries
- Fluorescent tubes and bulbs, and mercury thermostats
- Smoke detectors
- Drain, oven and toilet cleaners, bleach and pool chemicals
- Weed killers, insecticides and wood preservatives
- Motor oil, antifreeze, diesel, kerosene and gas and oil mix
- Propane tanks up to 5 gallons and fire extinguishers up to 40 pounds
- TVs, computers, phones, microwaves and other electronics
Wipe your personal data off phones and computers first. The county says it does not destroy devices on site.
What is not accepted?
Asbestos, ammunition, explosives, marine flares, tires, prescription medicine, helium tanks, high-pressure cylinders such as oxygen or scuba tanks, and business waste. Boats, campers and some other items need an appointment, through the county number below.
How much can I bring at once?
- Up to 15 gallons, or 125 pounds, per vehicle per trip.
- No single container over 5 gallons.
- Keep things in their original containers (antifreeze, fuel and motor oil are the exceptions), with lids on, labeled and not leaking.
- Do not mix different wastes in one container.
Can I just put it in the trash?
No. CalRecycle says it is illegal to throw hazardous waste in the garbage, pour it down a storm drain or dump it on the ground. Your city may also offer its own pickup, so check with it too.
What if I cannot get to a center?
Call the county at 714-834-4000 and ask about its Door-to-Door service. The same number books appointments for boats, campers and other large items. The centers also run a Materials Exchange, where residents can take home up to five partly used paints, cleaners and garden products a week for free.
Check the county's updates page before you go, for rain closures.
Replacing old smoke alarms or a fire extinguisher? See how to test smoke and CO alarms and how to check a fire extinguisher. The Orange County maintenance checklist has the rest of the year.
City pages: Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, or every city on the Orange County hub.
Sources
- OC Waste & Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste
Free disposal for Orange County residents at four collection centers (Anaheim, 1071 N. Blue Gum Street; Huntington Beach, 17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6; Irvine, 6411 Oak Canyon; San Juan Capistrano, 32250 Avenida La Pata), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed on major holidays and during rainy weather; proof of county residence may be requested; no waste from businesses, churches, schools, nonprofits, government agencies or residents outside Orange County; Door-to-Door service and disposal appointments (boats, campers, jet skis, vitamins, powdered substances) through 714-834-4000; no destruction of devices on site, so remove sensitive information first. - OC Waste & Recycling: household hazardous waste fact sheet (revised July 2026)
15 gallons (125 pounds) max per vehicle, per trip; original containers except antifreeze, fuels and motor oil; containers larger than 5 gallons not accepted; lids, sturdy, non-leaking, labeled; do not combine wastes; accepted items (paints, stains, thinners, strippers, glues, batteries, e-bike batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, mercury thermostats, smoke detectors, cleaners, bleach, pool chemicals, herbicides, insecticides, wood preservatives, motor oil, antifreeze, diesel, kerosene, gas/oil mix, propane tanks 5 gallons max, fire extinguishers 40 pounds max, e-waste including TVs, computers, cell phones and home-use microwaves); not accepted (asbestos, ammunition, explosives, marine flares, tires, prescription medication, helium tanks, high-pressure cylinders, commercial waste); Materials Exchange, up to five items per week per household. - OC Waste & Recycling: landfill and public updates
November 6, 2026: all household hazardous waste collection centers open on their normal schedule (closed Mondays), subject to rain closures. - CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste
It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains, or onto the ground.