Hazardous Material

Drop-off Events

Household hazardous waste drop-off events for Sunnyvale residents are held on the third Saturday of each month (except December), 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale residents do not need an  appointment.  There is a limit of 5 gallons or 50 pounds per visit.

Residents may bring household hazardous waste to a scheduled drop-off event for no charge. The event  Drop-off Event Site is 164 Carl Road (see directions here). For event dates, see the 2007 Calendar of Events or call the Sunnyvale Recycling Program at (408) 730-7262. Note: Events are held on the scheduled third Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Alternate drop-off times are available (appointment only) by calling the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at (408) 299-7300. 

Do not place any hazardous product in the garbage as doing so may cause harm to collection personnel and pollute the environment when sent to the landfill.

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Safety First

Please remember that we put safety first:  When you attend an event you will be asked to (1) stay in your car, (2) to have your hazardous materials for drop off separate from any other materials and placed in the truck of your car or the back of your pick up, and (3) to have the drop-off materials in a container that you leave at the event.  For safe and efficient processing, it is important that you do not use crates or other containers that you want to returned to you.  See complete guidelines from event operator at Santa Clara County.  Thank you for your help!

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Acceptable Materials

Household hazardous waste includes unwanted household, shop, and garden products that are caustic, corrosive, toxic, or flammable. Types of  household hazardous waste may include:

Bring the material in the original container or use a non-leaking, sealed container. State law limits transportation of household hazardous material to 5 gallons or 50 pounds per vehicle. Additional details for preparing your materials are available from the service provider, Santa Clara County. Do not bring materials in a box that or other container that you want returned. 

If you do not drive or are physically impaired, assistance may be available. Call (408) 730-7262 for information.

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Unacceptable Materials

Household Hazardous Waste Product Reuse

Santa Clara County and the City of Sunnyvale promote the reduction of household hazardous waste entering local landfills through product reuse. Unused or left-over paints, household cleaning products and garden supplies that can be reused by someone else will not become hazardous wastes. Therefore, each Santa Clara County HHW collection event features a household products "shop" where the public can pick up many typical household items FREE of charge. Included in the FREE products available at most events are automotive products, household cleaners, fertilizers, aerosols, paints and thinners. Reuse "shops" are open from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the event site. Please call the Sunnyvale Recycling Program at (408) 730-7262 or visit Santa Clara County's Household Hazardous Waste Product Reuse web site for more information.

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SMaRT Station - for Residential Electronic Waste, Fluorescent Bulbs and Some Automotive Fluids

Residents of Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto may bring certain types of hazardous products (see list directly below) to the SMaRT Station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week free of charge.  For more information, call (408) 730-7262.

Antifreeze

Batteries -- automotive, rechargeable and household

Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes

Mercury containing thermostats and thermometers

Motor oil and oil filters