Household Hazardous Waste
How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in York County
What Is Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes common products used in homes that are hazardous in nature but not regulated as hazardous waste under federal and state laws. These products can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, and/or can be corrosive or toxic. Examples include oil-based paints, bleach, and weed killers.
If you must use hazardous household products, choose wisely. Select the least toxic item to do the job, and buy only the necessary amount. When possible, use alternatives to common household hazardous products.
How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in York County
See if you can donate unused products to local community groups (as long as the items are still usable and not expired or damaged).
The first Saturday in May, YCSWA conducts a FREE Hazardous Household Waste Collection Event. There is no fee for York County residents, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Businesses and government entities are not eligible to participate. Look for additional information on this page and on YCSWA social media pages closer to the time of the event.
Drop off household hazardous waste at the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC) complex. See below for accepted items. Click here for rates, hours, and directions.
Pickup by Your Waste Hauler
Contact your garbage hauler to find out which materials they accept. The PA Department of Environmental Protection offers this advice when disposing of HHW in the trash:
- Rechargeable Batteries: Cover the electrical contacts or battery ends with a non-conductive tape (electrical or vinyl tape), or seal individual batteries in separate clear plastic bags, so they cannot conduct electricity and cause fires or explosions.
- Liquids: Absorb them using material such as cat litter, sawdust, or vermiculite, and securely package the contents to prevent leakage. Dispose of the material in small quantities over several trash collection periods.
HHW Items Accepted for Disposal
The following lists apply to drop-off at the YCRRC and our annual Household Waste Collection Event.
*Denotes items that are not accepted at the YCRRC
Items Accepted
- Driveway Sealant
- Flammable Materials
Fuels, lacquers, solvents, wood stains, etc. Limit of one gallon per visit for fuel (e.g., kerosene, gasoline, diesel). - Fluorescent Bulbs, Tube Lights & Lighting Ballasts
Limit of five bulbs/tubes per visit - Garden Chemicals
Fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, etc. - Household Cleaners
Chemical strippers, disinfectants, stain removers, etc.
- *Mercury-Containing Devices & Liquid Mercury
Except for mercury switches, thermometers, or thermostats - Photographic Chemicals
- Pool Chemicals
- *Rechargeable Batteries
Nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride & lithium ion - Vehicle Fluids
Antifreeze, brake fluid, motor oil, etc.
Items Not Accepted
- Alkaline Batteries
Dispose of batteries in regular garbage. If leaking, bag tightly. - Ammunition
Contact your local police department to dispose of ammunition. - Asbestos-Containing Products
Contact Modern Landfill (717-246-2686). - Auto (Lead Acid) Batteries
Return them to a business that sells vehicle batteries. - COVID-19 Infected Materials
Contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or your physician. - Explosives
Contact your local fire department to dispose of fireworks or flares. - Fire Extinguishers
Contact your local fire department or BFPE International (717-741-9980).
- Hazardous Waste from Businesses & Organizations
Contact Veolia Services, Cycle Chem, or another hazardous waste disposal company. - Incandescent & LED Light Bulbs
Dispose of in regular garbage. - Medical Waste & Medications
See our Medical Waste page. - Paint
Donate if still usable. Or, mix with kitty litter or shredded paper to absorb liquid, secure lid, bag the container tightly, and dispose of in regular garbage. - Pressurized Gas Tanks
See below for how to dispose of propane and other gas tanks. - Radioactive Materials
Contact the PA Department of Environmental Protection (717-787-3720). - Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Contact manufacturer on detector’s label for take-back program, or dispose of in regular garbage. If device is strictly for detecting carbon monoxide, dispose of in regular garbage.
How to Dispose of Propane & Other Gas Tanks
Small (16 ounce), empty propane canisters can be disposed of in regular trash. To empty this type of canister, it must be used on a grill, lantern, or other device until it turns off due to lack of fuel.
Full-sized (20 pounds or larger) pressurized tanks that contain flammable gases such as propane or helium cannot be disposed of in regular trash due to risk of explosion and fire.
The following facilities accept tanks for refill or recycling — but we recommend calling ahead to confirm:
- Which materials they accept from the public
- Hours of operation
- Applicable fees
- Any special instructions, such as valve removal
AmeriGas
Does not list participating businesses but offers to find a location to recycle your propane tank if you call 1-800-4274968
Dallastown
Grand Rental Station of York
2801 S. Queen St.
Dallastown, PA 17313
717-741-2666
Dover
Spangler’s Home Center & Rental
4072 Carlisle Rd.
Dover, PA 17315
717-292-6055
Elizabethtown
B&G Lumber
212 W. High St.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
717-367-1680
Gettysburg
Consolidated Scrap Resources
2230 York Rd.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-3009
Lancaster
Wrecklamations
1119 Manheim Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-299-6796
Lemoyne
Hepfers Ace Home Center
313 S. 10″ St.
Lemoyne, PA 17043
717-761-7722
Mountville
Ressler Propane
27 W. Main St.
Mountville, PA 17554
717-285-5916
New Oxford
Aero Energy
230 Lincoln Highway E.
New Oxford, PA 17350
800-998-4311
(Accepts small/camping cannisters too)
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury True Value
836 E. Forrest Ave.
Shrewsbury, PA 17361
717-235-6700
York
Consolidated Scrap Resources (CSR)
120 Hokes Mill Rd
York, PA 17404
717-843-0931
Consolidated Scrap Resources (CSR)
600 E. Princess St.
York, PA 17403
717-843-0931
Consolidated Scrap Resources (CSR)
530 Vander Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-843-0931
Darrah’s Automotive and Recycling
535 Prospect St.
York, PA 17403
717-845-9679
J&K Salvage
1099 Kings Mill Rd.
York, PA 17403
717-843-3672
West York Agway
2650 W. Market St.
York, PA 17404
717-668-8258