Household Hazardous Waste

• Open to residents of Ramsey, Washington, Hennepin, Anoka, Dakota and Carver counties.​
• Bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license.
• Load items in your vehicle, following our safe transport tips.
• Don’t bring empty containers. Place them in the trash.
• Remain in your vehicle while a technician unloads your hazardous waste.
• You may be asked to answer a few survey questions. Your answers will help improve the household hazardous waste program.

How-to videos for household hazardous waste:

• English
• Español
• Hmoob
• Soomaali 

Safe transportation tips

1. Keep products in their original container.
2. Seal containers tightly and arrange upright in a single layer.
3. Transport items in a paper bag, card board box, or plastic tote.
4. Transport items in the trunk, away from children.
5. Never mix chemicals. Pouring chemicals together can be dangerous and prevents recycling

The following household items are accepted for free at Ramsey County collection sites. For businesses waste assistance, call 651-266-1199.

• Automotive products
  Fuels, brake fluid, gasoline, antifreeze, vehicle batteries, used oil and filters. Keep all automotive fluids in separate containers.
   
• Cleaning products
  Acids and other corrosive products, drain opener, oven cleaner, bathroom cleaner, rust remover, etc.
   
• Cords and string lights
  String lights, electrical cords with no attached electronics, appliances or battery packs, etc.
   
• Home improvement
  Paint, thinners, solvents, adhesives, driveway sealant, wood preservatives, wood stains, lead paint chips, aerosol cans, etc.
   
• Lawn and garden chemicals
  Weed killer, insecticides, rodent poisons, pesticides, etc.
   
• Mercury containing items
  Skin-lightening creams, fever thermometers, switches, thermostats, vapor lamps, fluorescent lights, etc. Exchange your mercury fever thermometer for a FREE digital thermometer!
   

• Needles, syringes and lancets
  Residential needles, lancets and empty syringes are accepted at both mobile and year-round collection sites. Transport them in an empty laundry detergent bottle or other closed container with a screw on lid and label the container "needles". You will be asked to place the container in the collection bin yourself. Syringes with medicine and uncapped or unsealed needles are also accepted. If you have syringes with medicine and capped or sealed needles, bring them to a Ramsey County medicine collection site. 

• Recreational Products
  Rechargeable and button batteries, cell phones, cooking oil (must be liquid), pool chemicals, propane tanks, gas cylinders, etc.

Items NOT accepted

• Televisions, computers or appliances
  Use our A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide for disposal of these and other items

Residents can find free products like paints, automotive fluids and pesticides at the Product Reuse Center. Product availability and selection will vary. Must be 18 or older to take products.

Location

Bay West
5 Empire Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103

Hours 

December - March
Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

April - November
Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Ramsey County residents are also permitted to use household hazardous waste collection sites in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin and Washington counties. For locations, hours and materials accepted, go to RethinkRecycling.com.