SUPER easy process - you make an appointment online and enter your items, select your date. Once you are there, signs are easy to follow - they greet you and ask for your apt and verify what you are dropping off. Their team greets you while you stay in the car, they remove everything and you are on your way within a minute or two? So easy. I think the hardest part is driving there if its traffic time - so if you can, schedule in off hours, its right off 101, so super easy to navigate, just time it correctly and you will be just fine! read more

Easy drive in and out. Checkin at the start whereby you show your id and the info is verified. They check the items that you intend to drop off In the trunk or back off your truck and from there you leave the trunk open and drive to the spot where they pick the stuff ( few feet away). Stop at the designated sign and the stuff from the car trunk is picked up , the trunk closed and off you go. Seamless process and they really make life easy when it comes to disposing Hazardous waste from your household. read more

I had some old paint and lead-tainted products to discard, so I decided to use this free and safe county-run service. From making an appointment to following drive-thru directions, this place makes "saving the environment" easy and efficient. All I had to do is double-bag and label the items to drop off... Rolled up, followed simple lane directions, stayed in the car, was greeted by friendly interns, showed my ID, opened my trunk, staff unloaded the labeled contents, closed my trunk, and off I went. When I got home, I realized I forgot to bring a bunch of used batteries for safe disposal. Oh well.. I guess I'll have to come back sooner than later, which is fine by me! **checking for old household cleaners and fluorescent bulbs read more

Easy and efficient drive-thru process! I made an appointment online and pulled up the next morning, showed id, and they retrieved the items from the trunk! Here is the current appointment link as of the date of this review https://eservices.sccgov.org/HHWAppointment/Home/EventsList I loaded my used light bulbs the night before and drove over there. There was a group of workers that greeted me. Happy to get rid of these items and happy that now I know where to go! read more

I hate recycling because of the total hassle it usually is to deposit the CRV and other containers at the recycle center. My daughter had mounted such a huge amount of containers at the side of our house it was becoming a navigation hazard and was hesitating to get rid of them because of the same issue. On top of that, we have Covid happening. I finally pressured her into getting rid of the stuff and offered to go to the recycle center with her. This was a long preamble to say that in the middle of this dread, we decided to pick a different place than the one we normally go to and chose this place. Wow, what a great choice! The staff is very professional and courteous. From the moment one of them greeted us at curbside and told us where to park, to the individual machine operators who took the appropriate bags from us, and promptly returned with our weigh in, to the cashier that was ready to give us money within a minute of getting to the window, the place is tightly organized and just great! I'm coming here from now on. read more

Let be honest. By and large as humans we are at best crappy stewards of our planet. Rest assured, I won't get too preachy but a little history is in order. In 1983, and years before the California government required it, Palo Alto and other Bay Cities started a small program to collect and dispose of chemicals lurking in homes that were no longer wanted or needed. Lets face it the sheer volume of outright toxic agents found in homes especially in the later half of the 70's would result in a full blown hazmat situation today. Recognizing that lacking an alternative, most people will simply either allow these dangerous chemicals and the like to pile up, or worse simply dump them down the drain or into the soil. The program slowly grew and ultimately now the collection occurs every Saturday morning. The program could not be more simple. You load up you old cans of paint, round up, old medications and the like, and head to the station. There are limits as to how much you can bring per trip. This is not a county issue, but rather a CALTRANS requirement regarding the transport of hazardous wastes without a permit. You get in line. A attendant checks you ID and asks a few questions ( 1) have you used us before, and 2) are you representing more than one household) and give you basic instructions. The line moves pretty quickly. You pull your car into the station and turn it off (2 cars at a time) and pop your trunk. They unload your stuff and you are on your way. You do not get out of your car at all. Its super quick and easy. To give you an idea we had about 10 cars in front of us and it took about 8 minutes of waiting to get to us. The website lists what the will and will not take, but basically normal household items are accepted (including my giant propane tank that was partially filled and had a stuck valve. Its an invaluable service, that keeps our homes claer of hazardous materials, and keeps them out of our environment. A classic Win/Win for everybody read more

Great program, still in operation during COVID!!! Waste is removed from your car trunk and off you go - process takes maybe five minutes? ten minutes if you have a lot of waste? I had a bunch of household cleaning supplies from my old house and some old nail polish. The cleaning supplies were in a plastic bin and the polish placed in an old Amazon box. I labeled them with post-its since I have a lot of crap in my trunk and it made identification easy peasy. You can watch the staff as they remove stuff from your trunk in your sideview mirror - reducing error in unloading. Appointment is absolutely preferred but I ended up going at the wrong time. Still accepted. Yay. read more

Overall the experience was fine. Easy to schedule an appointment, staff is nice, and well organized. The only issue I have is they will only take gasoline in a containers they keep. How does this make any sense? Most people carry gas in containers they reuse. They told me to go home and put it into old milk jugs and make another appt. Gas should only be transported in specific containers per OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.152(a)(1) which food containers don't meet. I think it's safe to say, they do not readily accept old gasoline here which is disappointing. read more

1608 Plumas Ave The city of San Jose hazardous waste drop off location is amazing!!!!!! You can make an appointment and drop off literally takes only a minute. They have clearly marked signs that direct you exactly where to go and exactly what you need to do. Note that you will need your drivers license and to stay in the car at all times. Whatever containers you bring the hazardous-waste in they will take and not return. I dropped mine off in cardboard boxes. They take everything from motor oil, Aerosols,fertilizers, paint, electronics, Christmas lights, medication, etc. It is basically a one stop shop! If you do drop off laptops remember to remove the hard drives. Staff was super friendly and very efficient! Way to go city of San Jose! read more

See all

I respect this excellent program. But my very bad experience was avoidable. Dropoff rules are strict: make appointment, state items to be recycled, stay in vehicle. OK. I arrived at 11:12 for my 11:15. They did not have my appointment record but wrote down my data, given when I made the appointment. Two items: five (5) fluorescent tubes, taped together for easy handling, and two (2) ballasts. I 'popped' the trunk and repeated my disposal data. Easy, right? Apparently not. Back home, my wife opened the trunk: "Where is my cardboard box? It had plastic shopping bags, bottle with parking-meter quarters and new (in its package) collapsible cane. Why take that cardboard box?" I called at 9 AM, opening time: 15 minutes on hold ("all our staff are busy with other customers"). Finally, a human. I explained the problem. They promised to call back but could not assure me that our innocent cardboard box might be found. So far, no call, no box, no cane (they can keep the quarters). Two solutions: (1) confirm stated items removed; (2) ask if ------ (name item not described) is to be recycled. Those two simple actions would take seconds and avoid my kind of problem. I hope it doesn't happen to you, reading this. _____________________________________________ Update: they called back and found one item from our cardboard file box: my wife's cane, which they delivered to our home, very kindly. But all this nonsense could have been avoided if they hadn't removed the box or even bothered to ask about it when the items to be recycled were clearly stated and clearly visible: five fluorescent tubes and two ballasts, sitting side by side in the trunk. Their rules say that no 'valuables' should be left where they could be attractive. But a cardboard file box with domestic items cannot be called 'valuables.' So, in all, not a great experience. read more

So, who wants to take a fun trip to the Hazardous Waste disposal site in San Jose? My expectations were low, to say the least. But, let's face it, this is the right thing to do and throwing your paint, florescent lightbulbs, and batteries and the like in the garbage is horrible for the environment. Now there really is no excuse because it is NOT a hassle and is free to use: just like the other reviewers noted, it is efficient and fast, and the people that work there are friendly and cool. It seems the city of San Jose is doing at least one service VERY WELL and actually using tax payer money efficiently, and this is it. read more

Glad to see my tax dollars being well spent. There is really no excuse not to dispose of your household hazardous waste responsibly with this program available. This facility is for residents of Santa Clara County. You need make an appointment online. They require proof of residency when you get there. Waste must be put in in boxes or bags which will not be returned. You stay in your car, and they remove everything. It is a no nonsense process and moves efficiently. Staff was pleasant and courteous. They take: Paints Corrosives, acids, batteries, drain clog remover Toxics poison, pesticides, garden chemicals Pool chemicals Propane, helium, oxygen tanks, smoke detectors, fluorescent lamps Medications and sharps Electronic waste read more

I had a lot of anxiety about where/how to get rid of my hazardous waste and having to take it somewhere. This program couldn't have been any easier or convenient! Make an appt online, pack your trunk, drive up through the designated cone lanes, show proof of ID, then drive forward and open trunk. The people there will remove everything from your trunk. THAT'S IT. I wish I'd taken donuts or some kind of treat with me to give to them. That's how happy and grateful I am for how much anxiety was relieved after this process. THANK YOU!!!! read more

My mom had a bunch of old fertilizers, paint, household cleaners, car fluids, and other hazardous materials in her garage that we needed to get rid of. The oldest item we found was a Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner from 1968! I found this website and was able to easily make an appointment at the nearest location. The program is offered on Saturdays at various locations around Santa Clara County. The one I went to was in San Jose. When you make an appointment, they will ask you how many of what items you will be dropping off so better keep a list and count. The best part is that it's a drive-through drop off so you don't have to get out of your car at all!! Just pop open the trunk and they'll take it out for you! Such an easy thing to do in keeping our environment clean. You'll see a bunch of people in haz mat gear separating the various items and dumping them in bins, but I'm curious to know how they actually dispose of them. read more

You wait in your car, some nice guys check your ID to confirm you live in Contra Costa, then they take all of your materials out of your trunk. So fast and easy. Usually no line. Love it. read more

It was most likely the easiest experience I've had in quite some time. You simply make a reservation online or over the phone, drive to the specified location at your appointed time and never have to get out of your car as they take care of all the disposal. Congratulations on running a smooth process and making a difference for the environment. It's so easy, don't dump these hazardous materials in our landfill or water supply. it can't be any easier than the process they have set up for us. read more

This place is great. I just have to remember their schedule and make an appointment. They are very organized and you stay in your car and pop the trunk. They do all the work! They are very kind and make efficient. This is a great way to save the environment so glad they are here and free! read more

After doing a bit cleaning, we found that we had old paint and other paint stuff. We tried to bribe our gardeners to take it, but they wouldn't. Haha...yeah, I guess disposing paint isn't as easy. In order for us to dispose it, we had to make an appointment with Santa Clara Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal. Call the phone number listed on the website and someone will tell you when and where is the next drop off. We drove there on a Saturday morning at Blackford Avenue, San Jose and literally, they checked us in at the entry and took a look of what was the waste, and told us to drive through. There were 2 lanes for people to drop off hazardous wastes. Pop the trunk and then the workers will take the hazardous wastes out. That's it. Literally, the crew was efficient and was well organized! Great work! read more

Drop off is easy, organized, and efficient. The people are friendly. Signs clearly mark where to go and what to do. They took exactly what they needed to take from my trunk without me saying anything. read more

Fast and courteous service! Drove up, dropped off, done. A great way to get rid of my old paint, fertilizer, and other hazardous items.

Super helpful staff... I didn't have an appointment and showed up early. I'm impressed the city has such a wonderful service, sadly it's a hidden fact. read more

I found this place after doing a google search for places which recycle hazardous materials because I had a crate of old paint which OSH wouldn't take. It was super easy to make an appointment online. There is a different drop off location each weekend. Luckily there was one in South San Jose, which seemed to be the closest to me. Once you get to the parking lot, there are helpers which check you in and they just grab your stuff from your trunk and then you are on your way. Easy peasy! read more

This Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center has got to be the most efficiently run government service ever. Clear signage as you approach the address directs you to the exact right spot to handle this business. Checked ID, pulled forward, stopped, turned off engine, unloaded and on my way. I think I might have been there 3 minutes. Very courteous staffing. Can we get some effectiveness like this in the DMV? read more

Super easy and fast. Make an online reservation, show up on time, boom. There was a ton of people working in full protection. Two lanes for vehicles and they will unload it. read more

Excellent facility! The whole process from taking an appointment until the drop-off is a breeze. When you call for an appointment, they will explain to you in detail about the drop-off procedure and the location. While dropping the waste off, you don't have to get out of your vehicle. They will do it for you. All in all, a five-star service! read more

Boy I wished I'd known about this place sooner. I didn't realize that they take all sorts of Hazardous Waste. I took some leftover gasoline there when I was moving and could've taken so much more! Really nice and super efficient staff. No stress way to recycle. read more

This facility is for residents of Santa Clara County. You need make an appointment online. It's very easy to do. They will require proof of residency when you get there. You stay in your car, and they remove everything. It is a quick and easy process - very efficient. Staff was helpful, pleasant and courteous. read more

Super easy process. Make an appointment on line. Pack your materials in non-returnable containers. Arrive, check in, drive through. They will unload your items and you don't exit your car. read more

A government program that really works. I use the South County location. You schedule your appointment, drive in, open your car and they do all of the work. They are quick and very efficient. When done, they close up your car and you are on your way. Time is measured in single digit minutes depending on the size of your load. Very pleased. read more

This is a great service. Just follow the bouncing ball. We called the number listed on their web site. Got all the information and found out where the drop off place was and the day we could drop our old paint off. They make it simple. read more

I think this is the stupidest system. There are lots of items they do not take, which means i would have to drive around to several places to safely dispose of all the things I keep in order to be a responsible citizen. My sister lives in Modesto, you can just get in your car any day drive all the stuff over to a location, no line, no appointment, everything accepted and get it done. I am handicapped and cannot drive so what am I supposed to do, keep a tally of all toxics and then get a friend to load it in her car and drive me around to 4 or 5 places and use her gas and her whole day so i can be a responsible citizen? I am sure many people just throw stuff in the trash because it is too much trouble to recycle. When I could drive I did used this "service" once, I had to wait weeks for an appointment and wait in a long line when I got there and they would not take things like medications. Silicon Valley of all places should be more progressive on this. read more

Seamless process. Make a reservation online during available dates & times. People working are super friendly and efficient. You are in and out of there in 5-10 minutes. Wonderful program that deserves our support.. be sure to check out the specifics on exactly what can be brought to the site. More items than I even realized. Pack carefully, like things together and ensure the containers are closed. read more

I had about 12 cans of paint to dispose of. About 5 were gallon size containers and the rest were smaller. I did a Google search and the Yelp entry for HHW popped up. I made the appointment online, which only took a few minutes. The only downer was I had to wait a week and a half for my appointment however it's really not long since I've held onto the paint for the past 7+ years. Upon scheduling the appt. I received a confirmation email then later received a reminder a day or two before. My drop off happened to be at the Blossom Hill light rail station, which was a 5-10 min drive from home. I didn't know there is also a Farmer's Market that occurs at the same location on Saturday. My appt was at 8:30am and the market opened at 9am. Not sure how crowded the market gets but it may have been a good thing I made my appt early.) When I arrived onsite there were postings all around to let me know I was in the right area. I didn't have to look for the street address. I was flagged down, by one of the workers, to enter one of the two lanes. Quickly a young women greeted me and asked for id, checked me off the list, then asked to open the trunk. She was very courteous. I then proceeded to pull all the way forward where I was asked to turn off my engine. At least 5 guys/gals headed to the back of my car and emptied the cans of paint. Before I knew it I was off. The whole drop off process took no more than 5 minutes. As I was leaving I could hear one of the workers telling me to have a nice day! Overall an easy and pleasant experience. I would highly recommend this service! read more