S.A.F.E. Centers (Household Hazardous Waste Disposal)

S.A.F.E. stands for Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, and Electronics. All household hazardous waste and electronic waste items listed on this page may be dropped off for proper disposal at S.A.F.E. Centers and Mobile Collection Events. Certain items may also have additional disposal or recycling options listed below.

Los Angeles residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste free of charge through permanent S.A.F.E. Centers and one-day Mobile Collection Events. 

Accepted household hazardous waste may include:

• Aerosol cans
• Automotive fluids and products
• Household cleaners and chemicals
• Fluorescent bulbs and mercury-containing items
• Paints, stains, and solvents
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Pool chemicals
• Propane cylinders
   

Disposal limits:

• Up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit

The address where the waste originated will be requested at drop off locations.

You can bring common household items like leftover paint, used motor oil, batteries, and old electronics to any S.A.F.E. Center. We also accept fluorescent light bulbs and pool chemicals. 

We do not accept explosives, radioactive materials, or medical waste.

For a complete list of HHW and E-waste see attached related documents, visit our service page, or search the Sort LA app. 

Household batteries can cause fires and environmental hazards if placed in household trash or recycling bins. Los Angeles residents can safely recycle batteries through multiple free collection programs.

Examples of Battery Types:

• Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
• Single-use & Rechargeable batteries
• Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Lead-acid batteries
• Button batteries
• Car, motorcycle, RV and boat batteries
• e-Bike & e-Scooter batteries

Battery collection services are available through:

• Library battery buckets

Whenever possible, battery terminals should be taped or individually bagged before transport.

How to Prepare Batteries 

• Tape battery terminals whenever possible
• Store batteries in a non-metal container or plastic bag
• Keep damaged or swollen batteries separate from other batteries
• Do not place batteries in household trash or recycling bins

Batteries can be dropped off at a local S.A.F.E. Center. We've also partnered with Los Angeles Public Libraries to provide additional drop-off options for small single-use and rechargeable batteries.

View the Battery Collection Center map to find a location near you.

Please note that libraries do not accept Vape Pens/E-Cigarettes, Light Bulbs, Cell Phones, E-Waste or trash.

Electronic waste (E-Waste) includes unwanted electronic devices and accessories that contain components requiring special handling and recycling. Common examples include televisions, computers, cell phones, printers, cables, and other electronic equipment.

E-Waste may contain materials that can harm the environment if improperly disposed of in household trash. Residents can safely recycle E-Waste free of charge in the following ways:

• Bulky Item Curbside Pickup: Free curbside pickup for large electronic waste items is available through MyLA311 or by calling the LASAN Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489
• SAFE Centers: Stop by a SAFE Center to drop off batteries
• Mobile Collection Events: LASAN occasionally hosts mobile collection events in neighborhoods that don't have a nearby SAFE Center

Protect your personal data: Before recycling computers, cell phones, tablets, or other electronic devices, remove any personal or sensitive information. Simply deleting files may not permanently erase data.

Sharps such as needles, lancets, and syringes should never be placed in household trash or recycling bins.

Residents may safely dispose of sharps free of charge through:

• Public sharps drop-off kiosks
• Approved mail-back or take-back programs

Proper disposal helps protect sanitation workers, waste handlers, and the public from accidental injuries.

How to Prepare Sharps

• Place sharps in an approved sharps container or rigid puncture-resistant plastic container with a secure lid
• Do not place loose sharps in bags or trash containers
• Clearly label homemade containers as “SHARPS”

Request a Free Sharps Container

California’s Producer-Funded Home-Generated Safe Sharps Disposal Program offers consumers free sharps disposal mail-back services for safe, easy, and convenient disposal. Please visit the following links to order your free sharps container:

• California's SHARPS takeback program
• California SHARPS mailback program
• Dispose My Needles

Used motor oil and oil filters can pollute waterways and harm the environment if improperly disposed of.

In addition to SAFE Centers and Mobile Collection Events, residents can recycle used motor oil and filters free of charge through:

• Marina used oil collection tanks
• Certified Collection Centers

How to Prepare to Recycle Your Used Oil

• Store used oil in a clean, leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid
• Keep used oil separate from other automotive fluids
• Drain oil filters before transport whenever possible
• Transport containers upright and secured

To keep you and our team safe, please transport items in the trunk of your car. Make sure lids are tight, containers are upright and secured so they do not leak. If a container is leaking, place it inside a larger plastic bucket or bin.
 

West LA / Coastal

• Hyperion S.A.F.E. Center (Playa del Rey)
• S.A.F.E. Center at UCLA (Westwood)

San Fernando Valley

• Nicole Bernson S.A.F.E. Center (Northridge)
• Randall Street S.A.F.E. Center (Sun Valley)

Central / East LA

• Los Angeles-Glendale S.A.F.E. Center (Atwater Village)
• Washington Boulevard. S.A.F.E. Center (Central LA)  - temporarily closed 8/8-8/9

South LA / Harbor

• Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center (San Pedro)

• When you drive up to a S.A.F.E. Center, you will enter the line.
• City staff will provide assistance and ask a few questions about the household hazardous waste or e-waste being dropped off.
• For safety purposes, participants are required to remain inside their vehicles and refrain from smoking throughout their visit. Vehicles must be turned off while in the unloading area.
• Trained household hazardous waste staff will unload the materials from the vehicle.

By properly disposing of hazardous waste and e-waste, participants help protect public health and the environment.