Hazardous waste includes many everyday items that can't be thrown in the trash but must be handled at appropriate facilities. For example:

- Simple household cleaner can be toxic to plants and marine life in stormwater run-off.  
- Broken compact fluorescent light (CFL) can leak mercury into a play yard. 

• 7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street
• Thursday through Sunday
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Closed on Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

Examples of Household Hazardous Waste

• Fluorescent Bulbs
• Paint
• Household Cleaners
• Used Motor Oil and Filters
• Batteries
• Pool Chemicals
• Over-the-counter and Non-controlled Prescription Medicines
• Electronic Waste
• Pesticides

• generates less than 220 pounds, or approximately 27 gallons (liquid), of hazardous waste per month;
• generates less than 2.2 pounds, or approximately 1 quart (liquid), of certain original unused products (i.e., acutely hazardous wastes) per month; or
• generates less than 110 pounds or approximately 13 gallons (liquid) of perchloroethylene per month.

Electronics
Many electronic products become outdated within a short period of time. As a result, more and more electronic products, also known as "e-waste," are disposed of in landfills. E-waste improperly disposed of in a landfill has the potential to impact people, animals, and land.

• Televisions
• Computers and Monitors
• Telephones
• Fax Machines
• Printers
• Cell Phones

Free E-Waste Collection Events

The City of Stockton, in partnership with San Joaquin County and Onsite Electronics Recycling, hosts free e-waste collection events quarterly on the second Saturday of the month. These collection events allow residents to properly dispose of their unwanted electronic devices in a quick and easy drive-thru event.

Event Dates and Time
Each event is held from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• April 13, 2024
• July 13, 2024
• October 12, 2024

Event Location

• San Joaquin Delta College
  5151 Pacific Avenue
  Shima 2 Parking Lot

Acceptable Items

• Telephones/Answering Machines
• Modems/Routers
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Computers
• Computer Monitors
• Keyboards/Mice
• Televisions
• Fax machines
• Scanners
• Printers
• Radios/Stereos
• DVD Players
• Cameras
• Microwaves
• Toys with batteries

Medical
Unwanted Medication and Prescription Drugs
Please do not place over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications in the garbage, flush down toilets, or pour in drains. Protect our water supply by properly disposing of unwanted or expired medications.

• San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) accepts medications, except narcotics, at NO COST from Stockton residents.
• City of Stockton encourages the Public to drop off expired and unwanted medications at one of the many local collection sites. 

Home-Generated Sharps Waste
State law prohibits placing home-generated sharps waste in garbage, recycling, and green waste containers. Sharps waste must be transported in approved sharps containers and managed by a specified facility (i.e., household hazardous waste facility, medical waste generator facility, or facility managed as part of a mail-back program.) 

• Home-generated sharps waste includes hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices used to penetrate the skin for delivery of medications.

Why can't I throw my sharps in the trash cart?
Improper disposal of sharps in the trash or down the toilet is a health and safety threat to children, home health care providers, sanitation and sewage treatment workers, and others through accidental "stick" injuries. People exposed to sharps can contract life-altering diseases from bloodborne pathogens.

Where can I dispose of my used sharps?
To safely dispose of used home-generated sharps, place them in a biohazard sharps container and contact your personal physician, clinic administrator, or local pharmacy. Ask if they have a sharps take-back program for customers.

If sharps are purchased online, please remember to request a pre-addressed, prepaid mail-back box for used sharps. Mail-back containers are easy and convenient. See External Links below for a list of sharps mail-back services authorized for California.

The San Joaquin County's HHW Consolidation Facility accepts home-generated sharps sealed in a biohazard sharps container, medications (no controlled substances), and other household hazardous waste free of charge from San Joaquin County residents.

San Joaquin County
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street, Stockton

Open Thursday through Sunday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

View the Sharps & Medication Collection Program brochure for local drop-off locations and information on safely disposing of medical sharps and unwanted medications.

Universal
Effective February 9, 2006, state hazardous waste rules require special handling for consumer electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and mercury-containing products, called Universal Wastes. It is now illegal to dispose of these items in your garbage or recycling cart.

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that contain mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, and other substances hazardous to human and environmental health. In general, universal waste may not be discarded in solid waste landfills. 

The best way to reduce the harmful effects of the wastes on human health and the environment is to reduce consumption. The next best thing is to make sure you DON'T throw them in the trash! 

Types of Universal Waste

• Batteries--Includes all batteries, both rechargeable and single use
• Cell Phones
• Computers and Computer Monitors
• Electronic Devices
• Fluorescent Lamps
• Thermometers
• Non-Empty Aerosol Cans
• Televisions

Recycle these items for FREE at the following San Joaquin County facilities:

North County Recycling Center
17720 East Harney Lane
Lodi, CA
(209) 887-3868

Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility
2323 East Lovelace Road
Manteca, CA
(209) 982-5770

Foothill Sanitary Landfill
6484 North Waverly Road
Linden, CA
(209) 887-3969

For more information and directions to the HHW facility.

 
San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Free drop off or pick up products from fertilizer to household cleaners