Skip navigation links
Collapse Help CenterHelp Center
E-Subscriptions
Permits
Collapse UtilitiesUtilities
Recycling
Sewer
Trash
Water
Collapse City DepartmentsCity Departments
Collapse BuildingBuilding
Building Reports
Bulletins and Forms
Permits
Collapse Code EnforcementCode Enforcement
FAQs
Work Exempt From Permit
Construction hours
Collapse Community DevelopmentCommunity Development
Envision Carlsbad
Collapse Cultural ArtsCultural Arts
What's New?
TGIF Jazz in the Parks
William D. Cannon Art Gallery
Arts Education
Community Arts Grants
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Collapse Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development
Education & Research
Demographics
Quality of Life
Commercial Property Search
Business Resources
Why Do Business in Carlsbad?
Business Climate and Industrial Clusters
Expand and Relocate
Weather
Collapse Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness
Emergency Information
Emergency Planning
Potential Hazards
Volunteers-CERT
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Environmental Programs
Collapse FinanceFinance
Budget
Fees and billing
Taxes
Purchasing
Pay Your Parking Ticket
Collapse FireFire
Operations
Prevention
Geographic Info Systems
Collapse HousingHousing
Affordable Housing
Financial Assistance
Mediation Program / Neighborhood Conflict Resolution
Code Compliance
Community Relations / Neighborhood Liaisons
Redevelopment / Village Programs
Community Activity Funding
Hiring Center
Information and Referrals
Volunteer Program
Community Sponsors
Neighborhood Services
Human Resources
Land Development Engineering
Collapse LibraryLibrary
About Us
Kids
Teens
Research
Literacy
En Español
Support Us
Calendar
Collapse Parks & RecreationParks & Recreation
Aquatics
Classes & Camps
Adults 50+
Sports
Trails
Parks & Facilities
Rentals
Get Involved
Collapse PlanningPlanning
Applications
General Plan
Growth Management
Zoning
Agendas, Minutes and Notices
Collapse PolicePolice
Crime Prevention
Crime Statistics
Crime Victims Info
Employment
Services
Volunteers
Police Headlines
Station Volunteer of the Year
Senior Volunteer Patrol of the Year
More Police News
Collapse Public WorksPublic Works
Contracting
Engineering
Development Services
Streets and Traffic
Environmental Programs
Water
Sewer
Facilities
Fleet
Records Management
Collapse RedevelopmentRedevelopment
South Coastal Area
Village Area
Collapse SewerSewer
Keep Sewers Clog Free
Property Owner Responsibilities
Food Service and Restaurants
Sewer Operations
Spill Prevention and Response
Sewer Spills FAQ's
Collapse WaterWater
Drinking Water
Recycled Water
Water Conservation
Rates and Billing
Frequently Asked Questions
Urban Water Management Plan 2010
Backflow & Cross-Connections
Development
Collapse Environmental ProgramsEnvironmental Programs
Collapse Carlsbad HMP Preserve SystemCarlsbad HMP Preserve System
Preserves
Species & Habitats
Maps
Documents
Announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Links
Collapse Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste
Types
Programs
Facilities
HHW one-day-event
Collapse RecyclingRecycling
Residential Recycling
Business Recycling
Tips
Collapse Storm Water ProtectionStorm Water Protection
Best Management Practices
Studies and Reports
Sustainable City
Collapse TrashTrash
Trash Services
Bulky Item Collection
Rates and Billing
Water Conservation
Composting
Collapse Street and Traffic ServicesStreet and Traffic Services
La Costa Avenue Improvement Plan
Street Maintenance
Collapse Traffic EngineeringTraffic Engineering
Signing and Striping General Notes
Traffic Operations
La Costa Avenue Interim Striping Plan
La Costa Avenue Improvement Plan Frequently Asked Questions
La Costa Avenue Improvement Plan summary of May 26th, 2011 community meeting and workshop
La Costa Avenue Improvement Plan summary of June 23, 2011 community meeting and workshop
Skip Navigation LinksHome > City Services > Environmental Programs > Hazardous Waste > Types

Types

Household Hazardous Waste

There are many types of household hazardous waste: household items, electronic waste, used motor oil, sharps and needles, and pharmaceuticals. 

Any gas, liquid or solid used in the home labeled with the words toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive is a health threat to people, animals, and the environment due to its chemical nature. The list under the HHW items tab provides examples of common HHW materials.

Paint, cleaners and chemicalsKitchen

Household cleaners, floor care products, drain openers and cleaners, bleach, bug sprays, pest traps, ammonia-based products, etc.

Bathroom

Bathroom cleaners, disinfectants, hair sprays and dyes, hair removers, isopropyl alcohol, mercury thermometers, nail polish, nail polish remover, etc.

Living and dining rooms

Carpet cleaners, floor cleaners, dust and furniture polish, etc.

Office

E-waste containing lead, mercury, cadmium, and other materials that harm humans and their environment include computer monitors, televisions, video cameras with a cathode ray tube or picture tube, cell phones, batteries, printers, fax machines, some toys, electronic equipment, etc.

Garage

Used motor oil and filters, batteries, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, transmission fluid, glue, adhesives, paint, varnish and stains, paint remover and thinner, turpentine, car cleaners, etc.

Yard

Chlorine and other pool chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, etc.

Motor oil and filters are hazardous waste types that can be recycled. It is important to properly dispose of used motor oil and filters to ensure it stays out of landfills.  Used motor oil and filters may be taken to a certified used oil collection center for recycling.
 
Used motor oil recycling options
 

Certified collection centers

Certified collection centers are businesses that will accept uncontaminated used oil and filters from residents and put that used oil into the recycling chain. The center will pay a recycling fee of four cents per quart upon request.

Big O Tires
615 State Street
760-720-5212
 

Firestone
2545 El Camino Real
760-434-8392

Jiffy Lube
6021 Paseo del Norte
760-431-9875

The City of Carlsbad offers Household Hazardous Waste Programs as an alternative way to properly dispose of used motor oil and filters.

Used motor oil recycling tips 
    • When draining used motor oil, use a reusable 5-gallon or smaller size clean plastic container with a tight lid.
    • Remove the oil filter from the car and drain it well for at least 24 hours - once it is drained, place it in a plastic bag. 
    • Reuse the used-motor oil container and store it safely away from children and pets.
    • Don't mix used motor oil with chemicals, gasoline, water, or other substances.
    • Once the items are secure, transport them to a certified used oil recycling center.

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life."  

Many of these products can be reused, refurbished or recycled. Some common electronic products are:

  • Computers computer, dvd player and batteries
  • Televisions 
  • VCRs
  • Stereos
  • Copiers
  • Fax machines 

Carlsbad residents can help reduce waste by disposing of e-waste at one of the household hazardous waste facilities or through the Door-to-Door Program.

 

Beginning Sept. 1, 2008, state law (Section 118286 of the California Health and Safety Code) requires the disposal of home-generated sharps waste be transported to a collection center in an approved sharps container.  Sharps are NOT to be placed in trash or recycling containers.

Carlsbad residents may take their sharps or needles to the household hazardous waste facility as part of the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Programs.  Residents will be required to place their needles in the authorized container at the facility.

Waste Management offers Sharps Disposal by Mail System for home use and Waste Management’s Buyback Center provides safe needle and sharps disposal for residents.

Residents can find out more information through Waste Management’s website or by calling 760-929-9400.

The City of Carlsbad recognizes the need to provide residents with a safe and convenient method to dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired pharmaceuticals.  While the old method of disposal included flushing unwanted pharmaceuticals down the toilet, this technique is no longer acceptable due to detrimental environmental effects on recycled and treated water.  The current accepted practice for disposing of pharmaceuticals is to utilize the drop-box program established by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.  Residents are able to drop off pharmaceuticals anonymously 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Drop-box locations and more information on the drop-box program can be found on the San Diego County Sheriff’s website.