Environmental Center

Free Product Room COVID-19 Procedures


  • Limited number of customers; customers will be asked to wait outside when full.
  • Customers must wear a face covering.
  • Shopping time will be limited to 10 minutes. 
  • Product limit: 10 products total; No more than four products per category.
  • Latex paint limit: three 5-gallon and five 1-gallon containers still apply.
  • No pets.
  • No one under 18 years of age will be allowed.

COVID-19 Drop-off Procedures

These new procedures will result in longer wait times. Thank you for your patience.
  • Please stay in your vehicle. No exceptions.
  • Waste must be in your trunk, rear of SUV, or cargo bed. Do not put waste in the passenger area. If we cannot unload your waste without significant entry into cabin of the vehicle, you will be asked to drive to the front parking lot and reorganize the items before returning to the line.  
  • Keep items you do not want us to take separate from items you are dropping off.
  • Please provide your zip code to the attendant through a cracked window. No driver’s license is required.
  • Please wear a face covering during drop-off. Staff are wearing face coverings for your protection.
  • Any items left behind are items not accepted. Call 651-275-7475 with questions.


Protecting the Environment 

Washington County’s Environmental Center provides residents with a free and convenient disposal of household hazardous waste, electronics and recyclables. Proof of residency, such as a driver's license, is required.



Tours Are Available!


Ever wondered about where all the household hazardous waste you drop off goes to? Now is your chance to find out! Come get a behind the scenes tour of the Washington County Environmental Center! Tours are open to groups of at least 5 people and no more than 25. Call 651-430-6655 for more information or to schedule a tour.

Household Hazardous Materials Accepted



Automotive and Recreation From Homes


  • Aerosol cleaners / degreasers / lubricants / starting fluid - empty aerosol cans may be placed in the garbage
  • Antifreeze
  • Brake fluid
  • Charcoal lighter fluid
  • Gasoline
  • Kerosene
  • Power steering fluid
  • Propane tanks
  • Transmission oil
  • Used motor oil and filters
  • Vehicle batteries (no hybrid batteries) 
Household Electronics Accepted
  • Cell phones
  • Computers
  • Computer monitors
  • DVD and VCR Players
  • Fax machines
  • Printers Peripherals (keyboards, mice, computer speakers, etc.)
  • TVs
  • Microwaves

Home Improvement and Construction


  • Concrete cleaner
  • Driveway sealer
  • Glue with solvents
  • Latex paint, liquid - dried latex paint may be placed in the garbage, leave lids off cans
  • Oil-based paint
  • Paint remover / stripper / thinner
  • Roofing tar
  • Stain / varnish
  • Wood preservatives

Other Household Items


  • All batteries 
  • Drain cleaner
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Mothballs
  • Nail polish / remover
  • Oven cleaner
  • Partially filled aerosol cans - empty aerosol cans may be placed in the garbage
  • Polish with solvents
  • Some household cleaners (check label for words such as caution, warning, danger, and poison)
  • Spot removers
  • Mercury thermometers and thermostats
  • Used cooking oil

Yard & Garden 


  • Bug spray
  • Fertilizer with weed killer
  • Insect / roach / ant killer
  • Pool chemicals
  • Rodent bait
  • Weed killer

Batteries 

Batteries can start fires in the trash if not recycled properly. With so many different kinds of batteries, it can be confusing to know which batteries can be recycled. To make it simple, we accept all types of household batteries, including rechargeable, button, and alkaline batteries, at the Environmental Center.

Safely store and transport batteries by placing a small piece of clear packing tape over the positive and negative ends of each battery. Using clear tape allows Environmental Center staff to identify the battery for proper sorting and recycling.



Recyclables


View information about accepted recyclables.

Food Scraps (Organics)


Learn how to get started with food scraps drop-off. 

Household Sharps


The Environmental Center accepts sharps generated from households. Sharps are syringes, needles, and lancets. Please follow these steps before disposing of sharps:
  • Place sharps in a rigid container such as a plastic laundry detergent bottle, coffee can with the lid taped shut, or sharps container.
  • Put sharps in point first.
  • Label the container “Do not recycle: household sharps.”
  • Bring the container to the Environmental Center.
  • Keep sharps containers separate from all other waste.
  • When you arrive at the drop-off site, inform the staff that you have sharps for disposal.
  • Loose sharps are not accepted.