Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection

Important Notice: As of June 1, 2023, the following changes have occurred within the Household Hazardous Waste programs:

  • The facility formerly known as the Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center (HEC3) has been renamed the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Center or HHW Center to better reflect the items accepted (i.e., household chemicals)
  • The HHW Center’s operating days have changed from Monday through Saturday to Tuesday through Friday, and the first and third Saturday of each month. There will be no change in the operating hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Swap Shop’s operating days have changed from Monday through Saturday to Tuesday through Friday, and the first and third Saturday of each month. There will be no change in the operating hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • The number of Household Chemical Collection events at the Household Hazardous Waste North HHW North, formerly known as the Pinellas County Government Center, have increased to two per month in January through October

Visit the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Calendar for more information on event dates and operating days.

The Department of Solid Waste’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program diverts household hazardous waste from the municipal solid waste stream for proper recycling and disposal. The HHW Program currently collects chemicals through the following programs for free:

This collection program is for Pinellas County households only.
Businesses, hobbyists, haulers, and nonprofits should visit the Business Collection Events page.


What to Bring – Chemicals

What To Bring
Chemicals
  • Automotive Products
    • Oil and Antifreeze (limit: 5 gallons)
  • Gasoline and Diesel (limit: 2 five-gallon DOT containers, no tanks)
  • Household Chemicals
    • Adhesives/Epoxies, Aerosols, Cleaners 
  • Lawn and Garden Chemicals 
    • Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers, Cleaners
  • Mercury-Containing Devices
    • Thermometers, Thermostats, Fluorescent Bulbs (limit: 12) 
  • Paint Products
    • Paints, Stains, Solvents (limit: 20 one-gallon, 5 five-gallon)
  • Pool and Spa Products
    • Chlorine, Muriatic Acid, Cleaners, Clarifiers  
  • Signal Flares
    • Marine, Road
  • Rechargeable Batteries
    • Nickel-Metal Hydride 
    • Nickel Cadmium
    • Small Sealed Lead Acid
    • Lithium Ion
  • Non-Rechargeable, Single-Use Batteries 
    • Lithium
    • Silver Oxide
    • Zinc-Air
    • Zinc-Chloride
    • Mercury
    • Lithium Manganese (LR) Button Batteries
    • Silver Oxide (SR) Button Batteries 
  • Items with rechargeable batteries that cannot be removed

Customers with quantities in excess of the limits above will be referred to the Business Collection Events for service. Loads will be evaluated upon arrival. Visit the Business Collection Events page for more information.

What Not to Bring

What Not To Bring
  • Appliances
    • Microwaves, Toasters, Vacuums, Other Appliances

Visit the Household Electronic Program Change webpage to learn more about the program change. 

Use the Where Does It Go? Search Tool to find local resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal. To be directed to the proper information, first select “For Homes” or “For Businesses.”

How to Package Chemicals

When you are getting ready to drop off your household chemicals at the HHW Center or a Household Chemical Collection Event, please package them as follows to help keep you and our staff safe and to minimize spills:

Do:

  • Place containers in a box or tray and use crumpled newspaper as packing material to prevent breakage.
  • Place leaking containers in a clear, sealed bag; then in a box or tray.
  • Place chemicals in trunk or truck bed, away from passengers.

Do not:

  • Mix chemicals together.
  • Put containers in a bag, unless leaking.

HHW Center

Residents are invited to drop off certain household chemical items for free. See the table above for accepted items. When using the HHW Center, your government-issued ID will be required and scanned to verify residency.

Open Tuesday through Friday and the first & third Saturdays only
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2855 109th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

Swap Shop

The Swap Shop, which is located at the HHW Center, is a reuse program for household chemical products, such as paint, cleaners, and automotive fluids. It is free for Pinellas County residents. Availability can change by the minute, and quantities may be limited. Despite the name, there is no need to swap. When using the Swap Shop, your government-issued ID will be required and scanned to verify residency.

Capacity is limited to 3 customers at a time.

Customer utilizing the Swap Shop
Open Tuesday through Friday and the first & third Saturdays only
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Household Chemical Collection Events and Schedule

Household Chemical Collection Events are held throughout Pinellas County on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Collections may be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.

Customers must stay in their vehicle. Items must be placed in the trunk, truck bed, or trailer to allow staff safe access.

When using the Household Chemical Collection Events, your government-issued ID will be required and scanned to verify residency.

2023 Countywide Collection Events (subject to change)

Date Facility Location
Mar. 11 Tarpon Springs High School 1411 Gulf Rd.
April 15 Seminole High School 8401 131st St. N.
Sept. 9 St. Pete College/Gibbs Campus 6605 5th Ave. N.
Sept. 30 Largo Recycle Center 1551 Starkey Road

Monthly North County Collection Events

Jan. 28 May 20 July 22 Oct. 14
 
(behind the Pinellas County Government Center, south of Curlew Road)
Feb. 25 June 10 Aug. 12 Oct. 28
Mar. 25 June 24 Aug. 26 Nov. 18
Apr. 29 July 8 Sept. 23 Dec. 9

Household Chemical Collection Event Experience

A household chemical collection event is an easy and convenient way for residents to discard unwanted household chemicals.

At a household chemical collection event, staff will ask for your government-issued ID and about the items you have, then direct you to a drop off area, where staff will collect and separate the items for safe packaging and handling.

What to expect at a household chemical collection event:

Additional Resources

Have Questions?

We are happy to help! Call (727) 464-7500, email waste@pinellas.gov or click the Live Chat button below.