Waste & Recycling Facilities
Household Hazardous Waste
Many products that you use every day like household cleaners and batteries are hazardous. Look for common warning symbols such as corrosive, poisonous, explosive and flammable on hazardous products.
Hazardous waste should never be put in the garbage or poured down drains or storm sewers. Household hazardous waste is not picked up at the curb. Hazardous waste should be taken to a Community Recycling Centre.
Hazardous Waste Tips
You must live in Hamilton to drop off household hazardous waste at a Community Recycling Centre. Commercial, industrial and institutional properties may not drop off household hazardous waste.
There is no charge to drop off household hazardous waste. Empty containers are not accepted. Containers must have leftover hazardous waste in them.
Medical sharps can include needles, syringes, auto-injectors and more; for more details on what is accepted and proper collection please visit https://healthsteward.ca/consumers/returning-medical-sharps.
Smoke/carbon monoxide alarms will not be accepted. Take the batteries out and place the alarm in the garbage. Take the batteries to a Community Recycling Centre.
Only use container(s) you are willing to leave at the CRC.
Each time you visit you can bring a maximum of:
40 kg (90 lbs) of hazardous waste or 40 litres (10 gallons) of liquid hazardous waste.
Eight fluorescent tubes.
One thermostat that has mercury in it.
Items that you can recycle in your blue box
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Empty metal and plastic paint cans and lids go in your blue box or the container recycling at the CRC.
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Empty plastic paint buckets and lids go in the bulky rigid plastics bin at the CRC.
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Empty spray paint cans go in your blue box.
Leftover Exterior Paint Cans
Leftover exterior paint can be dropped off at a CRC to help victims of graffiti.
Each of the City of Hamilton's Community Recycling Centres has a reuse shed that we stock with cans of paint we think can be reused. The sheds are open from spring to fall. You can take home up to four cans of paint for free!
Find out more about the reuse program.
Collect household batteries (single-use and rechargeable) in a shoebox, plastic container or glass jar and recycle them at various locations throughout Hamilton.
The following batteries should be placed in a plastic bag or cover both battery ends with tape to make sure the ends do not touch:
- Lithium
- Button cell
- 9 volt
- Corroded or leaking batteries
Store all batteries in a cool and dry location before bringing them to a Community Recycling Centre or Municipal Service Centres for recycling.
For additional battery recycling locations visit:
There are a number of less toxic alternatives to hazardous products that you use on a daily basis.
Be sure to take proper precautions when handling and using the things listed below.
Commercial product
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Bleach
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Dish detergent grease cutter
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Drain cleaner
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General household cleaner (abrasive)
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Grease remover
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Ink spot remover
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Linoleum floor cleaner
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Mildew remover
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Oven cleaner
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Spot remover
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Toilet bowl cleaner
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Tub and tile cleaner
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Window cleaner
Less toxic alternative
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Borax (available in the detergent section of most grocery stores)
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1/2 cup baking soda and lemon juice
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Plunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 litres of boiling water
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Baking soda
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Borax on a damp cloth
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Cold water, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
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1 cup of white vinegar and 2 litres of water
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Equal parts vinegar and salt
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2 tablespoons of liquid soap, 2 teaspoons of Borax and warm water
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Club soda, lemon juice and salt
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Paste of Borax and lemon juice
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1/4 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of white vinegar and warm water
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2 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 litre warm water
Illegal dumping of hazardous waste should be reported to the Ministry of Environment’s Pollution Hotline at 1-866-663-8477.
Spills of hazardous waste should be reported to one of the following:
- Ministry of the Environment Spills Action Center 1-800-268-6060
- Call the City’s Spill Reporting Line at 905-540-5188.
Both of these lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When calling, note the date, time, location of the spill, what was spilled and the approximate quantity (if known) and any other details you can make note of.
Ammunition, explosives or fireworks (are best handled by contacting the Hamilton Police).
Asbestos
Biohazardous waste / biochemical wastes (can be taken to a company listed in the Yellow Pages).
Toner/ink Cartridges
Radioactive waste (must be called in to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited).
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