SWACO provides Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal services for all Franklin County residents. Identifying HHW is easy: Look for keywords on the container such as poison, danger, caution, flammable, corrosive, or use in a well-ventilated area. Please consider buying less hazardous alternatives when possible!
Most items are free to dispose of, except latex and other water-based paints. Because they are not considered hazardous, latex and other water-based paints are not accepted as part of SWACO’s free HHW program. However, they can be disposed of for a fee — contact EEI, Inc. at 614-294-1300 for disposal prices (typically $1.00 per gallon).
Paint hardeners are available at most hardware stores and may be added to leftover latex paint in order to solidify the unused product. The lid may also be left off to speed up the drying process. Cat litter or sawdust may also be used, but it may take up to several days before the paint is fully solidified. Once dried it may be disposed of with your regular trash.
2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
SWACO works in partnership with communities around Central Ohio to offer free residential Household Hazardous Waste collection events. For information regarding event types, dates, and accepted items please click here or the image below.
Facility Drop-Off
Help us keep HHW out of the landfill. SWACO contracts with EEI to offer free residential recycling for HHW. Residents can bring accepted waste items for recycling and/or environmentally safe disposal.
The HHW Facility is located at:
645 E. 8th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201 (The corner of E. 8th and Essex Avenue)
Phone: 614-294-1300
Get Directions »
Hours (Closed Holidays) :
Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
First Saturday of the Month: 9 AM - 2 PM
* Note for Franklin County Businesses
This program is not offered to businesses. Businesses should contact EEI, Inc. at 614-294-1300 to inquire about the cost to collect or accept their hazardous materials.
Unaccepted Items
- Ammunition
- Asbestos
- Needles, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Waste
- Spray Foam Insulation Cylinders (e.g. Froth Paks)
- Tires
- Trash
Accepted Items
- Batteries - all batteries including alkaline, computer, vehicle, and others. New and used can catch fire if stored in close contact with each other. Batteries should always be stored in storage cases made for this purpose or in the original packaging.
- Corrosives - acids, caustics, bleach, household cleaners, and paint strippers.
- E-Cigarettes
- Fats, Oils & Greases - items will be accepted if delivered in a tightly sealed container.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Flammables - aerosol spray paint, anti-freeze, brake fluid, insecticides, cooking oil, motor oil, pool chemicals, nail polish and remover ,rat poison, etc.
- Gasoline mixed with oil
- Old Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Lighter Fluid
- Motor Oil
- Oil-Based Paint
- Oxygen tanks
- Polishes
- Propane, Helium and similar gas tanks
- Reactives - cyanides, pool chemicals, etc.
- Smoke detectors
- Spray Paint
- Stains
- Thermostats containing mercury
- Thinners
- Toxics - fluorescent light bulbs including Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) and ballasts, fire extinguishers, antifreeze, insecticides, lawn chemicals and fertilizers, rat poison, etc.
- Turpentine
SWACO’s Household Hazardous Waste collection site now also accepts:
- Food scraps
- Scrap metal and appliances (including appliances with freon)
- Large blocks of Styrofoam, including packaging and coolers (no peanuts or food packaging)