Household Hazardous Waste Program
Find household hazardous-waste receiving programs, eligibility and appointments.
Source checked October 15, 2026[1]hhw.santaclaracounty.gov
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
These links were found on official source pages. Each service is handled by the office.
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. [9]
Before you start
- Eligibility & access · Palo Alto residents
- Palo Alto residents must use the City of Palo Alto HHW program. [4]
- Availability · Medication exclusion
- The San Jose and San Martin permanent HHW facilities no longer accept medications; use the linked medication drop-off program. [5]
- 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. [6]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
Check the official website for its current fee schedule. No fee should be assumed to be free.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked3 source pages · 9 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — 06085
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment
- [2] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — reviewed program
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
For residents of Palo Alto, you must use the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.
- [3] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — Make a household hazardous-waste appointment
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
For residents of Palo Alto, you must use the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.
- [4] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — Palo Alto residents
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
For residents of Palo Alto, you must use the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.
- [5] Household hazardous waste | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — Medication exclusion
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
Starting on January 16th, 2025, medications are no longer accepted at our San Jose and San Martin permanent facilities.
- [6] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — reviewed program
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
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.
- [7] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — County HHW questions / appointments
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
(408) 299-7300
- [8] Make a household hazardous waste drop-off appointment | Household Hazardous Waste | County of Santa Clara (opens in a new tab)
Santa Clara County / official waste program · Waste service — County HHW questions
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
hhw@cep.sccgov.org
- [9] Drop off household waste (opens in a new tab)
County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste Program · Program-specific service area
Source reviewed October 15, 2026View supporting excerpt
The Household Hazardous Waste Program is a free hazardous waste drop-off for County residents. English | Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 | Tagalog | 日本語 | 한국어 | हिंदी Household hazardous waste is unwanted household products labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive. Common products include auto fluids, batteries, electronics, fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, garden chemicals, household cleaners, paint, and many other products that require proper disposal to prevent harm to humans and the environment. To safely dispose of hazardous waste, residents must schedule a free appointment before visiting a drop-off site. Appointments help provide a safe and efficient experience by ensuring trained staff is available to unload vehicles, reducing wait times, and preventing congestion. We operate permanent facilities in East San Jose and San Martin as well as temporary events in other cities. Please check our appointment system for location availability. Appointment times are imperative to running an efficient collection event, please be on time. If you are more than 15 minutes past your appointment time, we may not be able to accommodate you. NOTE: To prevent illegal dumping when sites are closed, the exact facility location will only be provided after scheduling an appointment. Make a free appointment Or call (408) 299-7300 See the household hazardous waste Operating Schedule Palo Alto residents: Please do not make an appointment. See Palo Alto household hazardous waste program information.