Recycling, Hazardous Waste and County Services Available to Lake County Residents

Household hazardous waste collections in Lake County are scheduled for convenience around Clear Lake: "Household hazardous waste is collected from Lake County residents the third Friday and Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at rotating ends of the lake for convenience to all residents in Lake County." Bring proof of Lake County residency and do not transport more than 15 gallons per vehicle, a state law restriction residents must observe. Propane and other compressed gas cylinders are limited to 5-gallon size maximum at drop-off events.

Most residential hazardous items are accepted free at events and at designated areas of county facilities. The county list includes batteries - automotive and household - paints and solvents, gasoline, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, acids and corrosives, sharps, artists supplies, antifreeze, toxic cleaners, fluorescent tubes and CFLs, small propane tanks, non-narcotic prescription medicines, mercury thermometers and thermostats, bleaches and dyes, photography chemicals, oil and oil filters, and cell phones. For aerosol cans, the county guidance is clear: if empty and nontoxic recycle curbside in your blue cart or drop off at recycling; if not empty and contents are toxic, take the container to the next hazardous waste drop-off event.

Local transfer stations and recycling centers provide additional services. Lake County Waste Solutions in Lakeport and Southlake Refuse & Recycling accept televisions and computer monitors at no charge; transfer station designated areas accept certain hazardous and electronic waste at no charge while other materials such as garbage, green or wood waste, construction debris, tires and most furniture are accepted for a fee. Lake County residents with questions can call the Lake County Hotline at (707) 263-1980 or the county HHW contact number listed on the county site, and businesses or small quantity generators should call 707-234-6400 to make an appointment and arrange payment as needed.

Special handling rules apply to some items: ammunition requires an appointment at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, call 707-262-4200 for scheduling; dead animals on private property can be taken to Animal Control at 4949 Helbush, Lakeport, phone 707-263-0278; some oil collection sites such as Lake County Waste Solutions accept antifreeze limited to 5 gallons per day per customer. The county emphasizes environmental risk: "And when dumped illegally, just one gallon of motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water - a year’s supply for 50 people."

The county runs a mobile HAZ-DROP program at multiple locations and offers drive-thru convenience at selected events; contact the hotline (707) 263-1980 or consult the HHW webpage for the 2026 drop-off schedule (PDF). Note that a similarly named mobile program in Lake County, Florida uses local venues and rules, for example, a 2017 mobile unit stopped at Eustis Square, 218 W. Ardice Ave., Eustis, on a Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and advised that "the collection event is open to Lake County residents only" while prohibiting infectious, chemical laboratory and radioactive wastes. For larger quantities in that jurisdiction callers were directed to schedule a special drop-off at Central Solid Waste Facility, 13130 County Landfill Road, Tavares, phone 352-343-3776.

Residents seeking compost, tire recycling details, appliance drop-off locations, or environmental education programs can find district resources through the Lake County Solid Waste Management District pages; Lakecountyca also notes Paint Care drop-off of up to 15 gallons of latex and water based paints for free during regular business hours, free sharps drop-off in appropriate containers, and free mattress drop-off at the landfill during regular business hours. For specific event locations, current rules and the 2026 schedule, call (707) 263-1980 or the county HHW contact number listed on the county site.