Household Hazardous Waste

Paint is toxic and can be harmful to the environment; please bring unused paint to one of these PaintCare local collection locations or take it to the Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Novato residents should take paint to the Novato Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Use the PaintCare Drop-off Site Locator to find more approved collection sites.

Recycling is the only legal way to dispose of your used motor oil and filters. Zero Waste Marin and participating businesses offer a free, convenient method to recycle used motor oil and oil filters. Simply collect your oil in a secure container, store your oil filter in a sealed bag, and bring it to one of the locations below during business hours. Zero Waste Marin occasionally hosts used oil and oil filter exchanges. When these events are scheduled, details will be posted here.

Please note that this program is designed for Marin County residents only. Businesses should contract with a universal waste hauler to safely manage hazardous waste or check with the Household Hazardous Waste facilities in San Rafael or Novato to see if they qualify as a Very Small Quantity Generator.

Maritime boat owners also have the option to participate in the Oil Absorbent Exchange Program (OAEP) at no cost. See the tab below.

In a California Boarter Survey conducted by the California Department of Boating and Waterways in 2011, more than 96 percent of boaters reported that oil leaks into the bilge or engine compartment most or every time they use their boat. This oil is then pumped from the bilge and into waterways – polluting the water, damaging the environment, and killing aquatic life.

The Oil & Absorbent Pad Exchange Program (OAEP) now offers boaters a FREE absorbent pillow or sheet they can place in the bilge to absorb oil. Once the pillow or sheet is saturated, participating marinas will safely and legally dispose of the oily pad and supply boaters with a new one. Participating in the OAEP is a safe, legal, and convenient method for boat owners to reduce oil pollution in waterways.

This program is for Marin County residents only. Businesses should continue to dispose of their hazardous waste at the hazardous waste facilities in San Rafael or Novato.

This program is limited to absorbent pillows and/or sheets. 

How do I get rid of used sharps?

The safest method to get rid of used sharps is to package your sharps in an approved sharps container, then drop it off at an approved facility. Containers can be obtained at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility or any of the drop-off locations listed in the link above (subject to availability).  The red sharps container is puncture-resistant and, once sealed, cannot spill. This container is considered full when it has been filled to three-fourths of its capacity. At this point, the container should be permanently sealed and returned to a disposal location as soon as possible. At that time, a new container should be obtained.

What happens if I just throw sharps in the garbage?

Used sharps (i.e., lancets, needles, syringes with needles, etc.) are extremely toxic and dangerous; never throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. When improperly disposed of, sharps may end up inside trash bags or the community sewage treatment plant, where they may puncture a waste or sewage worker’s skin – even through their clothing. Sharps may end up on the ground where they can injure anyone who comes in contact with them – even if they are wearing shoes. Always use an approved sharps container to dispose of these items correctly and safely.