Household Hazardous Waste

What is Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is any gas, liquid, or solid used in the home labeled with the words caution, warning, danger, poison, toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive and poses a health threat to people, animals, and the environment due to the chemical nature.

Examples of Household Hazardous Waste

Want to know how to dispose of household hazardous waste? Check out our video. 

Disposal options

The city offers several convenient ways for residents to get rid of household hazardous waste. 

Drop Off Service for Carlsbad Residents

The city offers drop off service for household hazardous waste for Carlsbad residents.

Stericycle / PSC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (map it)
1145 East Taylor St.
Vista, CA 95084
Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
800-714-1195
Cost: Free

Door-to-Door Service for Carlsbad Residents

The city provides service through Stericycle / PSC to collect household hazardous waste material from the front door of resident’s homes for a $10 fee. This service is available by appointment only. For an appointment, call 800-714-1195. Please note if there is a resident in the home over the age of 65 this service is free of charge. 

Advanced registration and proof of residency is required. Please check back to schedule an appointment.

One Day Drop Off Event

The City of Carlsbad hosts a one day household hazardous waste drop off event each year for residents. The next drop off event is scheduled for Spring 2020.

Recycle Used Motor Oil

Why Recycle Used Oil?

Did you know that used motor oil never wears out? It just gets dirty and can be recycled, cleaned, and used again. Recycling used motor oil conserves a natural resource (oil) and is good for the environment too! Motor oil poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans (even in a sealed container) can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, rivers and the ocean. Recycling your used motor oil reduces this pollution threat. When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling, you are protecting the environment, conserving a valuable resource, and getting paid for it. That's a winning combination!

About the Certified Centers

The city encourages the recycling of used motor oil. Certified Used Oil Collection Centers will take used motor oil from the public and will pay you 40¢ a gallon. Most centers will take up to 5 gallons at a time.

What About Contaminated Oil?

Certified Collection Center managers will not accept used motor oil that has been contaminated with other fluids such as antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or water. So please, don't mix your used oil with anything. However, if your used oil accidentally gets contaminated, your certified center manager can tell you where to take it for proper disposal. Or see options listed above for household hazardous waste disposal options.