Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The City of Surprise offers Household Hazardous Waste Collection events to help protect the environment by properly disposing items which may contain harmful chemicals. These events are open to Surprise residents only.

To participate in the program, you will need to schedule an appointment to have acceptable items picked up from your home.

View the Household Hazardous Waste Event Checklist

Schedule a Waste Collection Appointment

Event Dates:

March 21 - April 12: Appointments scheduled

Request an appointment online; through the My Surprise app, or call Customer Service at 623.222.1920

April 8 - 19: Scheduled pick-ups occur

Collection Details:
  1. Schedule your collection date (online, My Surprise app, or Customer Service)
  2. Customer service representatives will schedule the best available appointment and inquire about what items are to be collected, discuss volume limitations, and direct how items are to be packed. View the online checklist
  3. Acceptable items will need to be placed outside, on the driveway and up against the garage, by 6 a.m. on the scheduled collection date. Do NOT place hazardous waste on sidewalks or curbside.
  4. Properly-packaged, sealed and labeled items will be picked up between the hours of 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the scheduled collection date.
Acceptable Items:
  •  Antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, diesel, and fuel additives (5 gallon limit per household)
  • Brake-transmission-power steering fluid, degreasers (5 gallon limit per household)
  • Pool chemicals, fire extinguishers and gas cylinders
  • Car and household batteries
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Stain, varnish, turpentine, cleaners, adhesives
  • Oil-based paint*, paint thinners, solvents, cleaners, adhesives (10 gallon limit per household)
  • Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other lawn chemicals
  • TVs, electronics, cell phones, computers, stereos

* Latex paint has a low level of toxicity; properly dispose small quantities of latex paint by removing the lid, letting it dry. When you are sure it’s dry, place it in a bag and throw it in the trash bin.

Items not Accepted:
  • Regular refuse and bulk trash
  • Bio–medical waste
  • Commercial waste
  • Ammunition or explosives
  • RV refrigerators that contain ammonia
  • Radioactive material
  • Tires

Questions? Call 623.222.1920 or email hhw@surpriseaz.gov

Tips to Reduce Hazardous Waste

  • Read labels and buy environmentally safe products
  • Buy only what you will use, or give away unused portions
  • Buy latex-based paint

Packaging Your Household Hazardous Waste

  • All items need to be labeled, secured and placed in a box(es) no larger than 16”x12”x12”
    • Label boxes ‘HHW’ so teams know to pick them up
    • If a hazardous chemical no longer has the original label, use tape and a marker to create a label for it
  • Items need to be contained to prevent spills; spilled or leaking packages will not be collected.

WARNING: Do NOT pack hazardous chemicals or materials that would result in toxic fumes, fires or explosions if combined in the same box!

Paint

Paint, if completely dried, may be disposed of in the regular trash collection. Latex paint (paint that can be cleaned up with water) should be air-dried in its container away from children and pets. When the paint is completely solidified, the can and its contents can be thrown away.

Solvent-based. Air drying liquid solvent-based paint (paint that can only be cleaned up with turpentine or other solvents) is generally not recommended. If the paint has become completely solidified, it can be disposed of in the regular trash collection. If there is a small amount of paint leftover in the can, dry it out by adding an absorbent material such as cat litter. Otherwise, it should be considered household hazardous waste.

Motor Oil

To dispose of motor oil, Please contact your local auto parts store or shop. Typically these establishments will let dispose of your used oil free of charge.