Common hazardous products—like oil-based paint, motor oil, fluorescent light bulbs, and pesticides—can be dropped off at collection sites. You can find a full list of accepted items in our product search tool.
Collection facilities do not accept special wastes such as latex paint, tires, electronics, or medications. To learn more about how to safely dispose of these items, call the Haz-Waste Help Line at 206-296-4692, or look up the item on our product search tool.
The following limits apply at all hazardous waste facilities:
- No latex or water-based paint.
- Total waste:
- 50* gallons per residential customer per day.
*Gasoline, motor oil, and antifreeze is limited to a maximum of 25 gallons per day.
- 25 gallons per visit and a maximum of four visits per year for eligible businesses.
- Container size cannot be larger than 5 gallons.
- Containers must weigh less than 60 pounds (lbs).
- Limit 5 propane tanks or other acceptable compressed gas cylinders (small propane/butane tanks and personal oxygen tanks under 2-feet in length).
- Fluorescent tubes or bulbs: Limit 10 per vehicle.
- Batteries:
- Limit 5 lead acid auto or marine batteries per trip. Batteries from electric vehicles are not accepted.
- 50 pounds (lbs) max for all batteries.
- Maximum for a single non-auto or marine battery is 25 pounds (lithium, other rechargeable, or alkaline batteries). 50-pound total weight limit for any combination of non-auto or marine batteries per visit. Sort batteries by type and tape or bag lithium and rechargeable batteries. Business customers must sort batteries by type and secure (tape) the terminals.
- Laboratory chemicals, organic peroxides, and highly hazardous or unusual wastes must be pre-approved (more details below).
- Marine flares: Limit 10. Once our flare container is full, no more flares may be accepted until the container is emptied
- No flares are accepted at Wastemobile events.
- No professional grade pesticides or herbicides.
- No unlabeled or unknown wastes
Laboratory chemicals, organic peroxides, and highly hazardous or unusual wastes must be pre-approved. To obtain approval, email a list of your laboratory chemicals, including the chemical names, concentrations, and volumes to haz.waste@kingcounty.gov.
- Don't mix or combine products
- Keep products in their original containers if possible
- Label products that are not marked
- Secure products so they won't tip or leak
- Don't transport products in the passenger compartment of your vehicle
- Cover and tie down your load
Dry latex or water-based paint can go in the trash. Follow these steps to safely get rid of it safely:
You can also recycle unwanted latex paint, water-based stains, and clear finishes at any PaintCare drop-off site. There is no fee for this service.
Oil-based paint is hazardous and requires special disposal. You can take oil-based paint to a hazardous waste collection site or a PaintCare drop-off site.
There are over 100 secure medicine drop-boxes at participating retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and law enforcement offices in King County. There is no cost to residents to use this service. Find a drop-box near you.
Mail-back envelopes are available for residents who are home-bound or have limited mobility. Request a free mail-back envelope.
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines should not be flushed down the toilet or put in the trash. Returning your unwanted medicines to a take-back program keeps our kids, families, and communities safe.
In King County, electronics cannot be thrown away or dropped off at household disposal facilities. They must be taken to special recycling centers.
Residents can take computers, monitors, laptops, and TVs to authorized E-Cycle Washington collection sites for free.
Visit the Take it Back Network’s website for more information.
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