Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Are you stuck with old electronics, paint, chemicals, medications, or other household waste and unsure how or where to dispose of them?

Given the rising costs of recycling, attending a local hazardous waste event is often the easiest and most cost-effective way to get rid of these items. (If you live in John’s Creek, there will be an event on September 28th). However, since most cities and counties in Metro Atlanta only hold these events once or twice a year, they might not always be the most convenient option.

If you’re unsure how to handle your household waste, check out the helpful resources listed below to guide you.

Batteries, Lightbulbs, and Bags: Did you know that you can recycle rechargeable batteries, CFL bulbs and plastic bags at most Home Depot and Lowe’s locations? Take a look near the front entrance next time you’re there and you will notice recycling boxes labeled for accepted items. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or unsure of what to do, simply ask the customer service desk for assistance.

Medications: A list of accepting drug disposal centers is available on the NABP website. As you will see, most pharmacies and many police departments accept unused medications, but you must call first to confirm and schedule drop off.

Atlanta Paint Disposal: For easy paint disposal, schedule a no-contact pickup with Atlanta Paint Disposal. There is a fee for pickup, which you can estimate here. You are also able to drop off at one of their many local Atlanta partners, which can be found here.

Charm – Center for Hard to Recycle Materials: There are two Charm locations in the Metro area, one in Decatur and the other just south of Grant Park in Atlanta. They take a wide range of waste – from paint and chemicals to electronics, paper and bulk items. Many items are free to drop off, while others have a fee. You must book your drop off appointment online – and paper shredding is only offered once a month. Learn more about their services here.

Earth911 – Search waste disposal centers in your area on Earth911. Simply enter your zip code and the type of disposal item(s) you have, and Earth911 will display all waste centers in your area that accept those items.