Household Hazardous Waste
Starting April 1, 2025: Bring all accepted household hazardous waste to the Environmental Center
This new, centrally located facility replaces Ramsey County collections at Bay West and mobile household hazardous waste collection sites starting April 1, 2025.
Many household products you use to clean your kitchen and bathroom, maintain your car and home, and control animals and insects contain hazardous materials. If a container has the words caution, warning, danger or poison on the label and still has product inside, it is considered hazardous and does not belong in the trash. Bring these items to Ramsey County's free household hazardous waste collection sites for safe disposal.
All empty containers, except propane tanks, may be placed in the trash.
All propane tanks (full or empty) can be brought to the Ramsey County Environmental Center for safe disposal.
| Collection Sites | Days & Hours | |
|---|---|---|
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Open year-round Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. |
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| Closed: County holidays and Christmas Eve | ||
How to use collection site
- Open to residents of Ramsey, Washington, Hennepin, Anoka, Dakota, Carver and Scott counties.
- Bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license.
- Follow our safe transport tips for bringing materials to the collection site.
- Don’t bring empty containers. Place them in the trash.
- If you drive to the collection site, remain in your vehicle while a technician unloads your hazardous waste.
- You may be asked to answer a few survey questions. Your answers will help improve the household hazardous waste program.
Tips for managing household hazardous waste
- Designate a box, tote or other storage container in your garage or basement to store household hazardous waste. Mark a date on your calendar each year to drop it off. Make sure to include a separate box for smaller items, like fluorescent light bulbs, so they don’t break.
- You may want to have two locations for storing household hazardous waste – one in the garage for flammable items, and one in the basement for items that shouldn’t be stored in freezing temperatures (like paint and cleaners).
- Collect all batteries in a plastic pail with a loose-fitting or vented lid. Be sure to tape the positive and negative ends of each battery to prevent a fire.
- Collect needles and syringes in a hard-sided plastic container with a screw-on cap (like a detergent bottle). Label it “Sharps”.
- Make the most of your trip by gathering all of your household hazardous waste for one drop-off.
- Spring and fall are the busiest times at our collection sites. There may be a slight wait at opening times.
Safe transportation tips
- Keep products in their original container or label products that aren't identifiable.
- Seal containers tightly and arrange upright in a single layer.
- Transport items in a paper bag, card board box, or plastic tote.
- Transport items in the trunk, away from children.
- Never mix chemicals. Pouring chemicals together can be dangerous and prevents recycling.
Items accepted
The following household items are accepted for free at the Ramsey County Environmental Center. For businesses waste assistance, call 651-266-1199.
- Automotive products
Fuels, brake fluid, gasoline, antifreeze, vehicle batteries, used oil and filters. Keep all automotive fluids in separate containers.
- Batteries
All types of batteries are accepted.
- Cleaning products
Acids and other corrosive products, drain opener, oven cleaner, bathroom cleaner, rust remover, etc.
- Cords and string lights
String lights, electrical cords with no attached electronics, appliances or battery packs, etc. -
Electronics
Cameras, cell phones, televisions, etc. See full list of accepted items. - Home improvement
Paint, thinners, solvents, adhesives, driveway sealant, wood preservatives, wood stains, lead paint chips, aerosol cans, etc.
- Lawn and garden chemicals
Weed killer, insecticides, rodent poisons, pesticides, etc.
- Items containing Mercury
Skin-lightening products, fever thermometers, switches, thermostats, vapor lamps, fluorescent lights, etc. Exchange your mercury fever thermometer for a FREE digital thermometer!
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Needles, syringes and lancets
Residential needles, lancets and empty syringes are accepted at both mobile and year-round collection sites. Place them in a hard-sided plastic container with a screw-on cap (like a detergent bottle) and label it “Sharps”. Bring your sharps container to an HHW collection site. Please inform staff when you drop them off. They will ask you to place your sharps in the collection bin. Sharps containing medicine should be brought to a medicine collection site. - Recreational Products
Batteries (all types), cell phones, cooking oil (must be liquid), pool chemicals, propane tanks, gas cylinders, etc. - Vaping Devices
Both disposable and rechargeable vaping devices are accepted.
Items NOT accepted
24/7 used oil and filter collection
There is a 24/7 collection shed in Arden Hills that accepts used oil, oil filters and antifreeze. These items are also accepted at the Ramsey County Environmental Center.
Location: 1352 Ben Franklin Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Used oil, filters and antifreeze ONLY
- Follow instructions on sign.
- If shed door is closed, lift to open it.
- Close door upon leaving.
- The site is under video surveillance.
- Dumping of unacceptable materials is not allowed.
For residential waste only. No business waste.
Reuse Room
Residents can find free products like paints, automotive fluids and household cleaners at the Reuse Center. Product availability and selection will vary. Must be 18 or older to take products.
Location
Ramsey County Environmental Center
1700 Kent St., Roseville
Hours
Year-round
Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free lead fishing tackle exchange
Help keep lead out of the environment and protect wildlife by participating in Ramsey County’s lead tackle exchange program. It’s free! Just bring lead sinkers and other lead tackle to the Ramsey County Environmental Center. Staff will exchange it for lead-free sinkers and tackle.
The exchange is intended to promote lead sinker disposal and provide one three-piece set of tackle for exchange per household, per visit – while supplies last. Learn more about alternatives to lead tackle.
Contact Us
Business Waste
This page is for household hazardous waste only. Learn about business hazardous waste.