Household hazardous waste disposal in Santa Clara County

Check residence and material restrictions before booking. Palo Alto residents use the city program; appointment confirmation supplies drop-off instructions.

Service area: Santa Clara County household HHW appointments serve county residents except Palo Alto. Palo Alto residents must use the city HHW program; the receiving address is provided after booking.

Availability · Medication exclusion

The San Jose and San Martin permanent HHW facilities no longer accept medications; use the linked medication drop-off program.

Source & saved evidence

Santa Clara County / official waste program · Household hazardous waste | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)

Waste service — Medication exclusion

Starting on January 16th, 2025, medications are no longer accepted at our San Jose and San Martin permanent facilities.

Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot c15e8db62d05529c

Availability · Vehicle and container limits

Containers larger than 5 gallons are not accepted. The page also limits each vehicle to 15 liquid gallons or 125 solid pounds.

Source & saved evidence

Santa Clara County / official waste program · Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)

Waste service — reviewed program

15 liquid gallons 125 solid pounds California transportation law prohibits transporting more than 15 liquid gallons or 125 solid pounds of hazardous waste in a single vehicle. Containers larger than 5 gallons are not accepted.

Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot 26fec05a37192a31

Palo Alto HHW receiving: 2501 Embarcadero Way, Saturdays 9–11 am and the first Friday of the month 3–5 pm, subject to posted holiday closures. Bring proof of residency.

Service area: For Palo Alto residents. Use the city HHW receiving station rather than county HHW appointments.

Availability · Palo Alto HHW Station — per visit

Limit each visit to 15 gallons or 125 pounds, in containers no larger than 5 gallons.

Source & saved evidence

City of Palo Alto Public Works — Zero Waste · Household Hazardous Waste (opens in a new tab)

Palo Alto HHW Station — per visit

Limit 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per visit (in no larger than 5-gallon containers).

Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot f6e9b87d8a1352af

Availability · Palo Alto HHW Station — posted holiday closures

Posted upcoming closures: November 28 and December 26, 2026; January 1–2, 2027. Recheck the city page before visiting.

Source & saved evidence

City of Palo Alto Public Works — Zero Waste · Household Hazardous Waste (opens in a new tab)

Palo Alto HHW Station — posted holiday closures

Saturday, November 28, 2026 Saturday, December 26, 2026 Friday, January 1, 2027 Saturday, January 2, 2027

Agent source review: October 15, 2026 · Snapshot f6e9b87d8a1352af

Palo Alto residents with physical limitations can apply for home pickup. A doctor-signed application and city approval are required before calling to arrange collection.

Service area: For Palo Alto residents with an approved physical-limitations application. General resident eligibility alone does not qualify for home pickup.

City referral for household hazardous-waste disposal and appointments.