How do I dispose of household chemicals, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, tires, etc.?

Beginning on January 2, 2019, Westchester County’s Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF), located at 15 Woods Road in Valhalla, will be open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., accepting a wide array of household wastes that are not typically collected curb side. Residents who are interested in dropping off materials should contact the Westchester County Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 to make an appointment.

In addition to properly labelled household chemicals and other special wastes found in a typical household, residents can bring documents for shredding, and expired or unwanted medications for disposal on the first Tuesday of each month. 

Generally, the following items are accepted for safe disposal or recycling at the H-MRF:

 Properly labelled household chemicals, such as:

  • Household cleaning products
  • Most automotive fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid and gasoline, but not motor oil)
  • Flammable liquids (kerosene, butane, lighter fluid, turpentine)
  • Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes and waxes, wood preservatives
  • Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides
  • Photographic and swimming pool chemicals

Batteries – only vehicle, rechargeable or button cell

Fluorescent light bulbs & CFLs

Fire extinguishers

BBQ propane tanks (up to 20 pounds)

Mercury containing devices (thermometers and thermostats)

Electronic waste (TVs, computer monitors and towers)

Expired or unwanted medications, both over-the-counter and prescription

Personal documents for shredding (limit of four file-size boxes per household)

Tires

Items that will not be accepted include paint (both latex and oil), non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon zinc batteries (they can be safely discarded in the trash), motor oil, smoke detectors, cell phones, explosives (flares, fireworks, ammunition), construction debris and hypodermic needles. Also, waste from businesses, schools or other institutions will not be accepted.