Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

Service Update

All Wake County Solid Waste facilities are operating on normal schedules.

Wake County Solid Waste Management Division manages three household hazardous waste facilities for residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste items. Some common household items can contain hazardous materials that should not be disposed of in household garbage due to their potentially harmful properties.

Additional Information

Acceptable Items

  • Batteries
    • Household (alkaline, lithium primary, button cell)
    • Lead Acid (Vehicle)
    • Rechargeable (phone, toy, tool, computer)
  • Garage Items
    • Gasoline/diesel fuel
    • Engine cleaners, degreasers
    • Brake, transmission fluids
      Please note: Antifreeze, Motor Oil and Oil Filters are collected at the Multi-Material Recycling Facilities.
  • Household Items
    • Aerosols
    • Compact fluorescent light bulbs
    • Fluorescent tubes (limit 25, bring in box)
    • Corrosive cleaners
    • Fire extinguishers
    • Fuel oil, kerosene, lighter fluid
    • Helium tanks
    • Latex paint (10-can limit, consolidate cans if more than 10. No rusted or dried out paint cans)
    • Mercury thermostats and thermometers
    • Mineral spirits
    • Oil-based paint
    • Oxygen tanks
    • Paint thinners
    • Photographic chemicals
    • Poisons
    • Polishers
    • Propane tanks
    • Solvents
  • Lawn, Garden & Pool Items
    • Chlorine
    • Fungicides
    • Herbicides
    • Insecticides
    • Muriatic acid
    • Pesticides
    • Pool chemical
    • Propane tanks
    • Weed killer

Unacceptable Items

Before bringing items to the HHW Facility, make sure that they require special disposal and are considered hazardous waste. We do not accept the following items at Wake County HHW sites:

  • Ammunition. Contact your local law enforcement agency for safe disposal options.
  • Antifreeze, motor oil and oil filters are collected at the Multi-Material Recycling Facilities.
  • Asbestos. Please contact Red Rock Landfill or Sampson County Landfill for disposal options. 
  • Business or commercial waste. If you are a business that generates small quantities of hazardous waste, please contact Miller Environmental Group in Raleigh. Wake County is not permitted to accept waste from any commercial, industrial or institutional sources.
  • Explosives, fireworks, weapons, grenades, shock-sensitive items or other weaponry. Contact your local law enforcement agency for safe disposal options.
  • Hoverboards. Contact the manufacturer for disposal options.
  • Hypodermic needles/syringes. Place in an enclosed, puncture-proof container, such as a detergent bottle, and dispose of in your household garbage.
  • Makeup, lotion, perfumes, and other beauty products can be disposed in your household garbage.
  • Medical or infectious waste. View more information here about medical waste disposal in North Carolina.
  • Prescription medicine. View operation medicine drop locations here.
  • Radioactive materials. View information on radioactive materials here.
  • Small amounts of latex paint, latex caulk, spackle, putty or grout can go in household garbage.
  • Smoke detectors contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The recommendation is for consumers to return the smoke detectors to the manufacturers or contact NC Radiation Protection at 919-814-2250.
  • Toilet cleaner, liquid soaps, detergents or cleaner with ammonia (don't mix with bleach) can be flushed down your sink or toilet with plenty of water (not septic tanks).
  • Other or unknown materials, contact ECOFLO at 800-999-6510 for information about safe disposal options.

Closings

Closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve (at noon) and Christmas Day.

Site Rules

  • Secure products so they don’t tip over or leak.
  • Follow signs and stay in your vehicle at all time.
  • Be prepared to show proof of Wake County residency.
  • Do not smoke while on the premises.
     

Drop-off Locator

Search by material and locate where to recycle or dispose of items with the drop-off locator.

Select a site below to see operating hours. 

Sites

North Wake Household Hazardous Waste Facility,9037 Deponie Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
Open Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to Wake County residents only

South Wake Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 6150 Old Smithfield Road, Apex, NC 27539
Open Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to Wake County residents only

East Wake Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 5051 Wendell Blvd., Wendell, NC 27591
Open Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to Wake County residents only

Contact Us

For general inquiries about waste and recycling, please call 919-856-7400. Download a one-page guide to safely collecting household hazardous waste. 

Facility Manager: Meghan Baldwin