Refuse & Recycling Services

854 - Household Hazardous Waste - Recycling & Disposal

Many materials commonly used around the home are legally classified as hazardous waste and may not be disposed of in the trash. These include water and oil-based paints, solvents, used motor oil and oil filters, antifreeze, household and auto batteries, other automobile fluids, pesticides and herbicides, household cleaners including bleach and polishes, pool and photography chemicals, fluorescent light tubes and many other household products.

Santa Monica residents can safely dispose of these products at the Household Hazardous Waste Center, located at 2500 Michigan Avenue, free of charge. The facility is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and on Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is (310) 458-8255. Use of this free service requires proof of Santa Monica residency.

State law requires that no more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste be disposed of on each visit. If possible, keep the waste in its original container. If the container is leaking, place the entire container into a larger container of the same material. For example, put a leaking plastic container into a larger plastic container, metal into metal or glass into glass.

For more information on recycling and disposal of household hazardous materials and waste, visit the Environmental Programs Division website, or call (310) 458-2213, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and alternate Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours or on weekends you may leave a message and your call will be returned on the next business day.

To report an emergency or hazardous spill, please call 9-1-1.