San Diego County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) services are operated through a combination of permanent HHW facilities and temporary collection events. These are coordinated by the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
- Proof of San Diego County residency is typically required (driver’s license or utility bill).
- Containers dropped off are not returned.
- Commercial and industrial waste is not accepted through residential HHW programs.
San Diego County HHW Facility Locations
Tap an address to open Google Maps. Residency rules vary by city vs. unincorporated areas.
| Facility | Address | Hours | Appointments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ramona HHW Facility Unincorporated |
324 Maple Street, Ramona
(Ramona Disposal Transfer Station) | 1st & 3rd Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Required | (877) 713-2784 |
|
Chula Vista HHW Facility Unincorporated |
1800 Maxwell Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91911
(City of Chula Vista Public Works Center) | Wednesdays & Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Not required | (877) 713-2784 |
|
Escondido HHW Facility Unincorporated |
1044 West Washington Avenue, Escondido
(Escondido Disposal Transfer Station) | Select Saturdays 12:30 pm – 2:45 pm | Required | (877) 713-2784 |
|
El Cajon HHW Facility Unincorporated |
925 O’Connor Street, El Cajon
(Waste Management Transfer Station) | 2nd & 4th Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Required | (877) 713-2784 |
|
Miramar HHW Transfer Facility City of San Diego |
5161 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(Miramar Landfill entrance) | Saturdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Appointment-only | (858) 694-7000 |
Unique Regulations
San Diego County follows California DTSC regulations but doesn’t use the LA-specific S.A.F.E. Center system. It relies on county-run HHW facilities and collection events, which makes the process simpler and less restrictive for residents.
Transport Limits (Statewide Rule)
San Diego County follows California state transport limits, not a county-specific ordinance like LA’s:
- ≤15 gallons of liquid hazardous waste per trip
- ≤125 lbs total hazardous waste per trip
- Transport must be for household use only
California Hazards
San Diego enforces California’s broader hazard definitions, including:
- Corrosive solids (e.g., sodium hydroxide pellets)
- Heavy metals (nickel, zinc, silver compounds)
- Used oil, antifreeze, oxidizers, and reactive chemicals
Even if a chemical is legal to possess, it may still require HHW disposal.
The VSQG Pathway for Advanced Hobbyists (San Diego County)
San Diego County does not offer a county-run VSQG/CESQG drop-off program comparable to Los Angeles County’s S.A.F.E. Center system. While the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) designation is still recognized under California and federal law, San Diego hobbyists must approach disposal very differently.
Note: The term CESQG has been officially retired and replaced with VSQG. The regulatory framework is largely the same, but labeling requirements are now stricter. Even very small generators must label every container with its contents and hazard class (e.g., Flammable, Corrosive, Toxic).
Most San Diego residents are limited to the standard Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) system:
- Maximum 15 gallons or 125 lbs per trip
- Materials must reasonably resemble household-type waste
- Facilities may refuse: Laboratory reagents, Pure chemical salts, Heavy metal compounds, anything perceived as “industrial” or “commercial”
If your waste exceeds these limits or includes specialized lab chemicals, HHW facilities will not accept it, even if quantities are small. If you have a large lab clean-out or specialized chemicals (reagents, metal salts, oxidizers, etc.), the VSQG pathway allows you to legally dispose of the waste but not through county HHW sites. In San Diego County, VSQG disposal typically requires:
- A temporary or permanent EPA ID
- Proper waste characterization and labeling
- Disposal through a licensed hazardous waste hauler or transfer facility
- Coordination with a private waste contractor, not the county
Step-by-Step: VSQG Disposal in San Diego County
Click each step to expand details. (San Diego County generally does not offer a county-run VSQG drop-off program like LA.)
1 Obtain a Temporary EPA ID (DTSC)
2 Inventory + Label Everything
- Chemical name
- Approx. amount (weight or volume)
- Hazard class (Flammable, Corrosive, Toxic, Oxidizer, Reactive)
3 Contact a Licensed Hazardous Waste Hauler
- Request VSQG pickup/transport or a permitted drop-off arrangement.
- Ask about packaging requirements and whether profiling is needed.
4 Plan for Higher Costs
- Hazard class and compatibility
- Number of containers and total quantity
- Need for characterization (analysis)
- Pickup vs. drop-off logistics
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.
Common Hobbyist Chemicals in San Diego County
The HHW facilities accept most hobbyist waste, but certain substances have specific rules in San Diego 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 at all HHW facilities. Like OC and LA, you are limited to 15 gallons per trip but be prepared to leave your containers. San Diego County facilities generally do not return gasoline or solvent cans due to high volume.
Muriatic Acid (HCl) Preferred 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. If you are a “Professional Hobbyist” (VSQG) generating silver-only waste, you may have reduced management requirements. For standard residential drop-off, 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. Make sure the cap is vented or not under pressure before transport.