What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is unused or leftover portions of products containing toxic chemicals used around the home. Products labeled Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable, or Corrosive are considered hazardous.

Household Hazardous Waste Includes Leftover:

E-Waste Collection

E-waste collection is provided free to La Palma residents through an on-call (curbside) program where residents schedule a pickup by calling Park Disposal directly at (714) 522-3577. Residents do not need to be home during the collection.

Residents can schedule e-waste pickup service for items such as televisions, computers, printers, etc. (please no other Household Hazardous Waste).

Sharps Collection

EDCO will provide free curbside collection of sharps generated from self-treatment. Residents can schedule a pickup by calling Park Disposal directly at (714) 522-3577. Residents do not need to be home during the collection.

Residents can dispose of up to two gallons of sharps waste sealed in any hard plastic container (provided by resident) and placed in a clear plastic bag (please no other Household Hazardous Waste).

Pharmaceutical Collection

The City of La Palma has a pharmaceutical collection/disposal box located inside City Hall at 7822 Walker Street, La Palma. The pharmaceutical collection box can accept all non-controlled pharmaceutical medicines, including expired or unneeded over-the-counter medications. The box is provided as a free service to La Palma residents so they can conveniently and properly dispose of these items. For more information about La Palma’s pharmaceutical disposal box, please call (714) 690-3337.

Paint

Paint may not be placed out for curbside collection or disposed of in a bin/container meant for solid waste. FREE paint recycling is available at drop-off sites throughout California. Most of these sites are at paint retailers (paint, hardware, and home improvement stores) that have volunteered to take back paint, and they are available to any resident and business in California. These stores accept paint whenever they are open for business. Below is a link where you can find a drop-off site near you and view hours and restrictions.

Find a PaintCare drop-off location

Prescription Drugs

Do not flush unused, unwanted, and expired medications down the toilet, put them in the drains or throw them away with the trash. Always make sure to keep medication out of reach of children and pets. Unused, unwanted, and expired medications can be taken to a San Diego County Prescription Drug Collection Box Location and turned in anonymously in a secure collection drop-box.

When disposing of medication, make sure to remove all labels with personal information and recycle the containers at home. Place unneeded pills into a plastic container or zip lock bag.

Find a San Diego County Prescription Drug Collection Box Location

Lithium-Ion Batteries and Electronic Waste

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries are commonly found in cell phones, laptops, cordless phones, household electronics, or power tools and are considered hazardous waste when they are discarded. Unfortunately, more and more dangerous incidents are being reported involving explosions or fires caused by improperly disposed cell phones or Li-Ion batteries.

All batteries and electronic waste must be properly recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility or event, and NEVER placed in trash or recycling carts!

Batteries and most electronic waste are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contained within. Even when batteries have reached their end-life, they still hold a small charge. If batteries are not discarded properly, they can potentially explode and cause a fire in a collection cart, truck, or in a disposal facility when crushed.

E-waste and u-waste collection are provided FREE to La Palma residents through an on-call (curbside) program where residents schedule a pickup by calling PARK Disposal directly at (714) 522-3577. Residents do not need to be home during the collection.

Watch a Short Animated Video on Battery Safety from the Avoid the Spark Campaign

Additional HHW Disposal Options

Properly dispose of toxic household products at one of Orange County’s regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. For drop-off site locations, directions, and hours of operation call (714) 834-6752.

Residents of La Palma can properly dispose of toxic household items at no cost at one of the regional drop-off sites:

• In Anaheim at 1131 North Blue Gum St.
• In Huntington Beach at 17121 Nichols St.