Household Hazardous Waste

• Open to residents of Ramsey, Washington, Hennepin, Anoka, Dakota, Carver and Scott 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 

Tips for managing household hazardous waste

• Designate a box, tote or other storage container in your garage or basement to store household hazardous waste. Mark a date on your calendar each year to drop it off. Make sure to include a separate box for smaller items, like fluorescent light bulbs, so they don’t break.
• You may want to have two locations for storing household hazardous waste – one in the garage for flammable items, and one in the basement for items that shouldn’t be stored in freezing temperatures (like paint and cleaners).
• Collect all batteries in a plastic pail with a loose-fitting or vented lid. Be sure to tape the positive and negative ends of each battery to prevent a fire.
• Collect needles and syringes in a hard-sided plastic container with a screw-on cap (like a detergent bottle). Label it “Sharps”.
• Make the most of your trip by gathering all of your household hazardous waste for one drop-off.
• Spring and fall are the busiest times at our collection sites. There may be a slight wait at opening times.

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.
   
• Batteries
  All types of batteries are accepted.
   
• 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. Place them in a hard-sided plastic container with a screw-on cap (like a detergent bottle) and label it “Sharps”. Bring your sharps container to an HHW collection site. Please inform staff when you drop them off. They will ask you to place your sharps in the collection bin. Sharps containing medicine should be brought to a medicine collection site.

• Recreational Products
  Batteries (all types), cell phones, cooking oil (must be liquid), pool chemicals, propane tanks, gas cylinders, etc.

• Vaping Devices
  Both disposable and rechargeable vaping devices are accepted.

Items NOT accepted

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

The Product Reuse Center at the year-round household hazardous waste collection site in Saint Paul is open with COVID-19 precautions in place.

Residents can find free products like paints, automotive fluids and household cleaners 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.

Help keep lead out of the environment and protect wildlife by participating in Ramsey County’s lead tackle exchange program. It’s free! Just bring lead sinkers and other lead tackle to a Ramsey County household hazardous waste collection site. Staff will exchange it for lead-free sinkers and tackle.

The exchange is intended to promote lead sinker disposal and provide one three-piece set of tackle for exchange per household, per visit – while supplies last. Learn more about alternatives to lead tackle. 

Ramsey County residents are also permitted to use household hazardous waste collection sites in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Washington counties. Click on the county’s link for locations, hours and materials accepted.