Small Business Hazardous Waste Service

Alameda County offers this service for businesses, organizations, and agencies to drop off small amounts of hazardous waste safely and affordably. Due to Federal and State hazardous waste laws, businesses cannot participate in the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Residential Drop-off Service.

To participate in the Small Business Service:

1. Provide an EPA Hazardous Waste Identification Number. If you don't already have one, visit the California EPA website or call 800-618-6942.
2. Apply for an account with the HHW Program and qualify as a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG).
3. Make an appointment by calling 800-606-6606. Businesses must have an account before making appointments.

Learn more about the Small Business Hazardous Waste Service:

• Find out what materials are accepted.
• Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below or call toll-free: 800-606-6606.

1. Provide an EPA Hazardous Waste Identification Number

Your site must have an active EPA Identification Number be get an account with the HHW Program. If you do not already have an EPA ID, they are free and easy to get. To get an EPA ID Number or re-activate an existing number:

Visit the California EPA Website

If you do not use a computer, you can get an EPA Number by calling 800-618-6942.

2. Apply for an Account with the HHW Program

Download and complete the Forms Packet for each site that generates waste and send the completed forms to the HHW Program. The HHW Program will review your forms, resolve any questions, and then send a confirmation letter with an account number to those eligible to participate (or notify you that you are not eligible). Your business or organization must generate the hazardous waste in Alameda County.   

Download the Forms Packet

Submit completed forms by mail, FAX, or email: 

Qualify as a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

Your site must qualify as a VSQG to use the Small Business Hazardous Waste Service. To qualify, fill out and return the Certification Form that is part of the Forms Packet. The Certification form is a legal document attesting to the fact that your organization meets the criteria of a VSQG.

Small Businesses must meet the following criteria to qualify as a VSQG:*

• Produce less than 220 lbs. (about 27 gallons) of hazardous waste and less than 2.2 lb. of extremely hazardous waste per month (extremely hazardous wastes are laboratory or industrial chemicals unlikely to be found in a residential setting).
• Have less than 2200 lbs. of hazardous waste in storage at any time (about 220 full one-gallon cans; or 45 full five-gallon pails).

Download the Small Business Forms Packet for more information about California Health and Safety Code section 25218.1 and referenced Federal Regulations. State, County, or local hazardous materials regulating agencies reserve the right to visit your organization to verify your qualification as a VSQG.

*Latex paint, aerosol cans, household type batteries, and fluorescent lamps are not included in the monthly 220 lb. delivery and 2200 lb. in-storage limits.

Get Your Waste Pre-Approved

Part of the process for applying for an account with the HHW Program is getting your waste pre-approved for drop-off by completing the Inventory Form that is part of the Forms Packet. You can use the Fee Schedule as a reference to identify typical wastes the HHW program accepts. The HHW program may not be able to accept some types of chemicals or waste and may contact you with questions.  

If waste listed on your Inventory Form is:

• Not listed on the Fee Schedule or commonly available to the public, such as industrial chemicals, then you must include a safety data sheet for the material(s).
• A mixture or waste produced by a manufacturing or other process, then list the chemical ingredients, their concentrations and describe the process on the Inventory Form.
• A contaminated material, such as rags, filter media, wipes, etc., then list the chemical name and approximate concentrations of any hazardous contaminant on the Inventory Form.

Questions? E-mail hhw@acgov.org or call 800-606-6606.

3. Call to Make an Appointment

After you receive a confirmation letter with your account number, call 800-606-6606 to schedule an appointment. Businesses cannot make appointments on-line and cannot deliver waste on days when the HHW facilities are open for residents.

Call 800-606-6606 to Schedule an Appointment

What We Accept

• Paint and paint-related materials, such as stains, varnishes, roofing tar, adhesives, joint compounds and other petroleum-based products
• Lawn care products, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers
• Propane tanks and aerosol cans
• Car and truck products, such as motor oil, lubricants, oil filters and antifreeze
• Batteries
• Cleaners
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Pool chemicals

What We Don’t Accept:

• Electronic waste, appliances, trash or other solid waste
• Compressed gas (except for propane for camping or BBQ)
• Sharps, medications or other biohazardous waste or medical waste, sewerage
• Fire extinguishers
• Explosive or radioactive material
• Treated wood, asbestos, contaminated soil or large debris from site clean-up, demolition or lead paint removal activities
• Unidentified waste: uncharacterized industrial wastes or unlabeled chemical containers

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in the Small Business Service?  

The HHW program accepts hazardous waste generated in Alameda County from many kinds of businesses and organizations including: contractors, non-profit groups, government agencies, home businesses, and commercial property landlords. If you are a residential landlord you may use the Residential Landlord Hazardous Waste Service.

How much does it cost and how do I pay?

• Costs are determined, and payment is due at time of delivery - there is no billing
• A fee schedule is included in the Forms Packet and can help you estimate how much you may be charged.
• There is a $25 minimum charge per delivery
• Payment is accepted by cash, check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only).

Credit card must be present and authorized for signature by the person delivering the waste. For payment by check, deliveries to the Hayward, Livermore or Oakland HHW sites make checks to: Alameda County Treasury, for deliveries to the Fremont HHW facility make checks to: Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station.