Key Takeaways
- Never put hazardous waste in your regular trash or recycling bin. Oregon law prohibits it, and it creates serious health and environmental risks.
- Portland Metro residents have the easiest access with two permanent Metro hazardous waste facilities open year-round.
- Paint is the easiest hazardous item to dispose of — PaintCare drop-off sites are everywhere, including most major paint and hardware stores.
- Many auto parts stores accept used motor oil, antifreeze, and batteries for free — no trip to a special facility needed.
- Rural counties rely on periodic collection events — check your county solid waste department for scheduled dates.
What Counts as Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is any product in your home that is toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive. These items require special disposal because they can contaminate water supplies, harm sanitation workers, or cause fires at waste facilities.
| Category | Common Items | Why It Is Hazardous |
|---|---|---|
| Paints and stains | Latex paint, oil-based paint, wood stain, varnish | Volatile organic compounds, heavy metals |
| Automotive | Motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid | Toxic to aquatic life, contaminates groundwater |
| Cleaning products | Drain cleaner, oven cleaner, bleach, ammonia | Corrosive, produces toxic fumes when mixed |
| Garden chemicals | Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fungicides | Toxic to humans, animals, and water systems |
| Batteries | Car batteries, lithium-ion, button cells | Lead, acid, fire risk (lithium) |
| Propane and fuel | Propane tanks, gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid | Flammable, explosive under pressure |
| Fluorescent bulbs | CFLs, fluorescent tubes | Contains mercury |
| Pool and spa | Chlorine, pH adjusters, algaecide | Corrosive, toxic fumes |
Portland Metro (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas Counties)
Metro operates the most comprehensive hazardous waste program in Oregon with two permanent facilities:
Metro Central Hazardous Waste Facility
- Location: NW Portland (off NW Front Avenue)
- Hours: Open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday
- Cost: Free for households (up to 35 gallons per visit)
- Accepts: All household hazardous waste categories listed above
Metro South Hazardous Waste Facility
- Location: Oregon City (Clackamas County)
- Hours: Open year-round, Thursday through Saturday
- Cost: Free for households
- Accepts: Same as Metro Central
Both facilities accept walk-in visits with no appointment required. Drive up, and trained staff will unload your materials and sort them for proper disposal or recycling.
Lane County (Eugene, Springfield)
Lane County operates a permanent household hazardous waste depot at the Glenwood transfer station:
- Location: Glenwood area, between Eugene and Springfield
- Hours: Open multiple days per week (check Lane County website for current schedule)
- Cost: Free for Lane County residents
- Limit: Reasonable quantities for household use
Lane County also hosts periodic collection events in outlying communities like Cottage Grove, Florence, and Junction City for residents who cannot easily reach the Glenwood facility.
Marion County (Salem, Keizer)
Marion County Environmental Services accepts household hazardous waste at their facility on Deer Park Drive SE in Salem:
- Operates: Year-round with scheduled hours
- Cost: Free for Marion County residents
- Accepts: Paint, chemicals, automotive fluids, batteries, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs
Polk County residents can also use the Marion County facility. Check current hours before visiting, as they vary by season.
Other Oregon Counties
Benton County (Corvallis)
Republic Services operates periodic hazardous waste collection events. The Coffin Butte transfer station near Corvallis accepts some hazardous materials — call to confirm what they currently take.
Deschutes County (Bend)
Deschutes County solid waste department operates seasonal collection events, typically spring and fall. The Bend transfer station accepts some categories year-round, including paint and batteries.
Jackson County (Medford, Ashland)
Rogue Disposal and Recycling operates hazardous waste collection through the Dry Creek Landfill facility. Collection events are held periodically for Southern Oregon residents.
Rural and Coastal Counties
Smaller counties rely on annual or semi-annual collection events. Contact your county solid waste department or check Oregon DEQ's website for event schedules. In between events, PaintCare sites and auto parts stores provide disposal options for the most common hazardous items.
Paint Disposal: The PaintCare Program
Oregon participates in PaintCare, a manufacturer-funded program that makes paint recycling easy and free. Over 160 PaintCare drop-off sites operate across the state, including:
- Sherwin-Williams stores
- Miller Paint stores (Oregon-based chain)
- Many independent paint and hardware stores
- Some Home Depot and Lowe's locations
PaintCare accepts latex paint, oil-based paint, stain, varnish, primer, and shellac. Paint must be in original or labeled containers with lids. They accept up to 5 gallons per visit at most sites.
To find your nearest PaintCare site, visit paintcare.org or call their hotline.
Battery Recycling
| Battery Type | Where to Recycle | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car/marine batteries (lead-acid) | Auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, NAPA) | Free (often $5-$10 core credit) |
| Lithium-ion (laptops, power tools) | Call2Recycle drop-off boxes (Home Depot, Lowe's) | Free |
| Alkaline (AA, AAA, D, C, 9V) | Metro hazardous waste facilities, some retailers | Free |
| Button cells | Metro facilities, some pharmacies | Free |
Important safety note: Tape the terminals of lithium-ion batteries before transporting them. Loose lithium batteries can short-circuit and start fires — this is a real risk, not hypothetical.
Automotive Fluid Disposal
Used automotive fluids are among the most common hazardous waste items, and they are also the easiest to dispose of:
- Used motor oil: Most auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, NAPA) accept used oil for free. Limit is typically 5 gallons per visit.
- Used antifreeze: Some auto parts stores and all Metro hazardous waste facilities accept antifreeze.
- Brake fluid and transmission fluid: Hazardous waste facilities accept these. Auto parts stores may not.
Always transport fluids in sealed, labeled containers. Double-bag them in your vehicle to prevent spills.
What NOT to Do With Hazardous Waste
- Do not pour chemicals down the drain. They bypass water treatment systems or damage septic systems.
- Do not put them in your curbside trash. Sanitation workers and equipment can be injured. Oregon law prohibits it.
- Do not mix chemicals. Combining products — even for disposal — can create toxic fumes or violent reactions.
- Do not burn them. Burning hazardous materials releases toxic fumes and is illegal.
- Do not dump them on the ground or in storm drains. Oregon storm drains flow directly to rivers and streams without treatment.
If you are handling a large cleanout that includes hazardous materials — a garage, basement, or estate cleanout — separate the hazardous items first and take them to the appropriate facility. Then schedule professional junk removal for everything else.
