Household Hazardous Waste & Used Motor Oil

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Improper disposal of hazardous waste is illegal and harmful to our environment. Items that contain hazardous materials should never be placed in your trash, recycling, or organics containers, nor should they be poured down storm drains or onto the ground.

Residents of San Luis Obispo County have access to multiple drop-off locations that accept hazardous waste at no charge. Several items also have special take-back programs through local retailers and service providers.

What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?

In San Luis Obispo County, HHW facilities accept materials in three distinct residential waste streams:

Hazardous: aerosols, corrosive liquids, fire extinguishers, mercury, paint (containing PCB), pesticides, propane tanks

Universal: batteries, fluorescent & halogen bulbs, thermostats, paint (oil-based and latex), gasoline (must be left in container), used motor oil (bring in any container with a locking or closing lid, such as a milk jug—containers will not be returned)

Electronic Waste (E-Waste): computers, monitors, hard drives, cables, chargers, copiers, fax machines, scientific and medical devices, TV's, LCD's, DVD's, VCR's, stereo equipment, cell phones, smart phones, PDA's, small appliances: microwaves, smoke detectors, toasters, and vacuum cleaners.

Note: Facilities do not accept radioactive materials, medical wastes, or explosives.

Special Take-Back Programs

Motor Oil & Filters

Residents may schedule a free curbside pickup through San Luis Garbage by calling 805-543-0875.

Batteries, CFLs, Fluorescent Tubes, & Mercury Thermostats

Return these items to any participating retail location that sells them for free recycling during store hours.

🔗 Find a Take-Back Location - IWMA

🔗Learn how you can earn a $30 mail-in rebate per mercury thermostat

Medications & Sharps

Many pharmacies throughout the County offer free take-back services for both medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and sharps (needles, syringes, lancets).

Residents can pick up a free disposal container for sharps from participating pharmacies and return it when full.

🔗 Medication Take-Back Locations - IWMA.

Paint Products

Retailers that sell paint also accept leftover or unwanted paint products, including sealers, stains, shellacs, and varnishes, for recycling.

🔗 Paint Take-Back Locations - PaintCare

Electronics (E-Waste)

The following retailers in SLO County accept some types of e-waste for recycling. Check their websites for details:

Hazardous Waste Disposal for Commercial Businesses

Businesses must follow different hazardous waste regulations than residential customers. Depending on the amount of hazardous waste your business produces, you may be classified as a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) or a Large Quantity Generator (LQG).

Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG)

If your business generates less than 27 gallons (220 pounds) of hazardous waste per month, you may qualify as a VSQG. The Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) offers a hazardous waste collection program to assist eligible small businesses.

Learn more about the IWMA VSQG program:
🔗 https://www.iwma.com/very-small-quantity-generator-program-vsqg

Large Quantity Generators (LQG)

Businesses that generate more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month must comply with stricter state and federal requirements. LQGs are responsible for arranging disposal through a certified hazardous waste hauler.

For LQG compliance resources, visit:
🔗 https://www.iwma.com/hazardous-waste-generators/

For help determining your generator status or for more information, please contact IWMA at 805-782-8530.