Hazardous Waste

Hazardous wastes from household use may be brought free of charge to two permanent household hazardous waste facilities.

Allowable items include:

• paint and paint product - how to store paint
• automotive fluids and greases
• deep fat fryer and other cook oils
• pesticides
• aerosol products
• rechargeable batteries
• caustic or corrosive products - how to reduce toxic chemicals in your home
• other household chemicals and cleaners - make your own non-toxic cleaning kit
• fluorescent tubes, CFLs, and ballasts  - county sites to bring fluorescent tubes and CFLs
• mercury - cleaning mercury spills
• adhesives
• lead sinkers and other lead items

Handling HHW

• Transport in containers that don't leak.
• Keep in original packaging if possible. If not, label the container with content ingredients.
• Secure fluorescent lights and glass containers so they do not break and release hazardous vapors in your vehicle.

The following items are also handled differently than your household garbage. Some are collected at several County Solid Waste Facilities.

• Medical waste (pharmaceuticals and needles)
• Treated wood is not accepted as demolition material and must go in the garbage. Click HERE for information on alternatives.
• Used car batteries, motor oil and oil filters are collected for recycling at several of our facilities - Guide for do-it-yourselfer about changing motor oil.

Old and unused prescriptions pose a large, negative impact on the environment. For safe handling of these medications, options to county residents to dispose of household medical wastes at the following locations:

Household Medical Dropoff Locations

Locations accept:

• Prescription medications in any form from households.
• Pills and capsules
• Blister packs
• Creams and gels
• Inhalers
• IV bags
• Liquids
• Patches
• Powders
• Sprays
• Vials

Not accepted:

• Needles
• Syringes
• Lancets
• Thermometers (accepted at Household hazardous waste facility.  Please bag first)
• Medications from businesses

Preparing for Drop Off

• Medications may be kept in original container.
• Customers name may be crossed off if customer desires.
• Drop-offs are anonymous.

Hazardous wastes from businesses, non-profits, schools and farms are not accepted in the household program. B-CLEAN Business Hazardous Waste: the St. Louis County Environmental Services Department will provide hazardous waste disposal opportunities on the Range for Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) businesses. VSQG generators are businesses, schools, non-profits and commercial farms which monthly generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste materials. Call B-CLEAN at least one week in advance for an appointment at (218) 741-8831.

Another alternative disposal site that would facilitate hazardous wastes from businesses would be the Clean Shop Program in Duluth. Call 218-726-1602 for more information or go to the Clean Shop web site.

Free paint, automotive products, cleaners and other perfectly good pre-owned stuff.
Residents only, 18+.

5345 Regional Landfill Rd.
Virginia, MN
Hours: Tues & Sat 8am - 1pm

PaintCare is a network of paint retailers who will accept old cans of paint from residence and businesses for recycling.

In addition to County Household Hazardous Waste Locations, Find a drop-off store near you. 

More information on the PaintCare Program.