It is illegal to put items such as electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, and other chemicals in any of your curbside collection bins. These items are not recyclable, compostable, nor are they allowed in our landfills because they contain poisonous heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. These chemicals can pollute groundwater near landfills and pose harmful effects on public health.
Examples of Hazardous waste: Aerosol cans (full), antifreeze, batteries, bleach, chlorine, cooking oil, fluorescent lamps, garden chemicals, gasoline, household cleaners, hydraulic fluid, insect sprays, mercury waste, motor oil (drop off motor oil at the Davis Recycling Center), oily rags, paint products, pool chemicals, sharps in containers, thermometers, tile cleaners, tile remover, transmission fluid, used oil filters
Examples of Universal & Electronic waste: Batteries, fluorescent bulbs, computers, monitors, cords, phones, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, microwave ovens, or iPods.
DROP OFF
Residents
Yolo County residents can bring their hazardous waste, electronics, and universal waste to the household hazardous waste (HHW) Drop-Off Days at the Yolo County Central Landfill for free every Friday and Saturday from 7:30am – 3:30pm. View detailed drop off information here. For universal waste, such as microwaves and small appliances, residents may donate them to Goodwill.
UC Davis campus residents: UC Davis funds their own household hazardous waste collection program. As such, residents of the University are NOT eligible to bring HHW materials to the Yolo County HHW facility. For information about proper on-campus disposal, please visit the UC Davis Zero Waste page.
Businesses
Businesses can dispose of their materials though Yolo County’s Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program at the Yolo County Central Landfill.
- MEDICATIONS
- SHARPS
- BATTERIES
- MOTOR OIL
MEDICATIONS
Drop Off
When medications are disposed of in the trash or down the drain, they can find their way into our waterways and negatively impact frogs, fish and other aquatic life. Drop off medications for safe handling at the Davis Police Department or select pharmacies
- City of Davis Police Department
2600 5th St.
Open Monday – Thursday & every other Friday
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM - (530) 747-5400
- This location accepts controlled substances.
- This location accepts controlled substances.
- Yolo County Central Landfill
- During the weekly household hazardous drop-off events, non-controlled medications are accepted for free drop-off from Yolo County residents. Controlled substances not accepted.
SHARPS
Recology Davis Sharps Drop-off
Sharps or needles that are improperly disposed of in the trash or recycling can pose a health hazard to our garbage collectors and our environment. Please properly dispose of sharps using one of the following options.
In order to provide convenient and safe disposal option for residents, Recology Davis accepts sharps waste for free drop-off at the Davis Recycling Center during buyback hours. For safety reasons, all sharps must be placed in a bio-hazard container, or puncture proof container before bringing them in for proper disposal. The lid of the container should be tightly closed and taped shut with “Sharps Waste” written on the outside of the container. Sharps are only accepted during the CRV redemption hours and may not be dropped off after hours.
Yolo County Landfill Sharps Drop-off
Customers may also drop off used sharps in sealed safety containers at the Yolo County Central Landfill every Friday and Saturday during the weekly household hazardous waste drop-off, from 7:30am to 3:30pm. For more information about the Recology Davis sharps disposal program, please call us at 756-4646.
For more local disposal options, please visit the City of Davis sharps resource page.
BATTERIES
Place batteries in a plastic bag and drop them off within six months at the following retail stores, OR at the free drop-off days at the Yolo County Central Landfill every Friday and Saturday from 7:30am – 3:30pm. View detailed drop off information here.
MOTOR OIL
City of Davis customers may drop off used motor oil (in tightly secured containers) and oil filters at the Davis Recycling Center at no charge.
For more drop off options, visit the City of Davis website.