Unique Regulations
Hazardous waste in Orange County is managed by OC Waste & Recycling. They follow California’s strict environmental laws, but there are several “insider” rules and benefits that separate OC from neighboring Los Angeles or Riverside counties.
The 2026 Irvine Lease Extension
The most important news for 2026 is the status of the Irvine Regional HHW Center. Previously slated to be closed, the City of Irvine has officially extended the facility’s lease through December 31, 2026. This is the most convenient drop-off point for hobbyists in South County and the University area.
The Stop & Swap (Material Exchange Program)
One of the coolest things about Orange County is their Stop & Swap program. Most household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities immediately ship chemicals to be processed or incinerated. Orange County encourages a “Circular Economy.” All four of the HHW facilities in Orange County offer a materials exchange program. Residents can take home up to 5 items per week. You don’t need to drop anything off to take something home. This can be a gold mine for finding free “leftover” chemicals like resins, high-quality spray paints, wood finishers, and even pool chemicals that other residents have dropped off. You do not need to drop anything off to take items home. Contact details for the Orange County HHW facilities is listed below.
Rainy Day Closures
In Orange County, most collection areas are either outdoor or drive through. During rainy weather, HHW facilities in Orange County will close for safety and to prevent runoff.
Tip: If the forecast calls for rain, call 714-834-4000 before planning a trip. They do not always update the website in real-time.
No Business Waste Policy
While LA County has a VSQG “loophole” that allows advanced hobbyists to pay a fee to drop off “industrial-looking” chemicals, Orange County is much stricter. OC facilities are not allowed to accept waste from businesses, schools, or non-profits.
If your lab waste looks too professional or if you arrive in an obviously commercial vehicle, you will be turned away. Advanced hobbyists with large volumes must contact the OC Health Care Agency (Environmental Health) to register as a generator rather than using the residential HHW centers.
OC Hobbyist Compliance Estimator
To save you some time, we’ve reviewed the data from the fee schedule from OC Health Care Agency. We removed some information that would only be relevant to medical generators and industrial-sized companies. Now, you can easily estimate the annual fees you’d pay as a small generator.
Important Most hobbyists qualify for free HHW drop-offs. Use this only if you are registering as a “Professional Hobbyist” or Small Generator.
Unknown chemicals are the #1 cause of hobbyist fines in Orange County. To avoid the $134/hr ‘Evaluation’ fee, ensure every container is clearly labeled.
OCHCA Compliance Fee Estimator
Annual Disclosure Program fees.
Hazardous waste generator fees.
$0
Standard Transport & Container Limits
To stay compliant with DOT regulations and OC site rules:
- Limit: 15 Gallons or 125 lbs per trip.
- Container Size: No single container larger than 5 gallons will be accepted.
- No “Unknowns”: OC staff are strict about labeling. If a container is missing a label, it is at high risk of being rejected.
Orange County HHW Facility Locations
| Center Name | Address / Directions | Hours (Tue-Sat) | Stop & Swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Regional |
1071 N. Blue Gum Street Anaheim, CA 92806 | 9:00am – 3:00pm | YES |
| Huntington Beach |
17121 Nichols Lane (Gate 6) Huntington Beach, CA 92647 | 9:00am – 3:00pm | YES |
| Irvine Regional* |
6411 Oak Canyon Irvine, CA 92618 | 9:00am – 3:00pm | YES |
| San Juan Capistrano |
32250 Avenida La Pata San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 | 9:00am – 3:00pm | YES |
*Irvine Update: Lease extended through Dec 31, 2026. All centers are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and during rain events.
Common Hobbyist Chemicals in Orange County
While the four HHW centers accept most hobbyist waste, certain substances have specific rules in Orange County. Below are the most common chemicals found in home labs and how to handle them locally.
Solvents & Etchants
Acetone High purity acetone used for cleaning 3D prints or resin work is accepted in OC. If you have large quantities (over 5 gallons), you should split them into multiple trips. No single container over 5 gallons is accepted.
Muriatic Acid (HCl) OC facilities prefer these in their original retail containers. If transferring to a new bottle, it must be HDPE and clearly labeled to avoid “Unknown” rejection.
Photography & Metal Recovery
Silver Nitrate This is considered a toxic oxidizer. Do not mix this with organic solvents in the same transport box.
Power & Electronics
Hydrogen Peroxide Hobbyists using 30%+ concentrations for retrobrighting or oxidation experiments should handle this as a reactive hazard. OC accepts this. Make sure the cap is vented or not under pressure before transport.
Disposal Safety Checklist
Keep it in the trunk: Never transport chemicals in the passenger cabin.
Original Containers: Facilities often reject chemicals in Gatorade bottles.
The “No-Mix” Rule: Never consolidate different waste streams into one bucket.
Box & Brace: Place containers in a sturdy plastic bin or cardboard box and use crumpled newspaper or trash bags to prevent tipping during turns.