Cleaning out cabinets and garages for the new year often turns up items you’re not quite sure how to get rid of. Chemicals, cleaners and other household hazardous waste should never be placed in the trash or poured down the drain.

The good news is Carlsbad residents have several convenient options for safely disposing of household hazardous waste, including drop-off and pickup services.

To make it easier, this disposal chart shows residents where different materials should go. The city offers both drop-off and pickup options, depending on what works best for your household.

Household hazardous waste drop-off
Carlsbad residents can drop off household hazardous waste at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility in Vista for free: 

1145 East Taylor St.
Vista, CA 92084
Saturdays only
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Door-to-door household hazardous waste collection
For residents who prefer pickup service, the city also offers front-door household hazardous waste collection:

• $10 per appointment
• No charge for residents 65 and older
• Schedule by calling 800-714-1195

This option can be especially helpful for residents with mobility concerns or large quantities of material.

What about household batteries?
Household batteries are considered hazardous waste, but they’re easier to dispose of than many people realize. Non-lithium household batteries include alkaline, zinc-carbon, 9-volt, AA, AAA, C, D and some button cell batteries.

Residents have several battery recycling options:

• Curbside collection (single-family homes): Place batteries in a clear zipper bag and set them on top of your curbside recycling cart on collection day.
• Drop-off: Batteries are accepted at the Palomar Transfer Station Recycling Buyback Center at 5960 El Camino Real, Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• New library drop-off bins: Household battery collection bins are now available at Georgina Cole Library and the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane. Look for bins near the entrances or ask at the help desk.

Please recycle household batteries only. Do not leave batteries outside or place other battery types in these bins.

Handled correctly, these items can be part of a cleaner, safer start to the new year.

More information
Household Hazardous Waste webpage
Republic Services Carlsbad website
Household Hazardous Waste collection facility