Item: Household chemicals — cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, batteries, propane tanks, mercury devices Jurisdiction: Tampa city limits / Hillsborough County, Florida Official sources: City of Tampa Solid Waste; Hillsborough County Solid Waste Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Tampa residents dispose of household chemicals through Hillsborough County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events. Tampa no longer operates its own annual HHW collection event — all HHW disposal is through county-run sites.
HHW collection schedule (all 8 AM–2 PM on select Saturdays):
| Site | Schedule | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sheldon Road HHW Center | First Saturday of each month | 9805 Sheldon Rd, Tampa |
| South County HHW | Second Saturday | 13000 US Hwy 41, Gibsonton |
| Hillsborough Heights HHW | Third Saturday | 6209 County Rd 579, Seffner |
Free for Hillsborough County residents. Bring a state-issued photo ID showing your Hillsborough County residential address. Events may close early due to inclement weather — Florida thunderstorm season runs through summer.
Accepted categories: Cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, paint (limit: 10 one-gal or 5 five-gal/month), automotive fluids, pool/spa chemicals, propane tanks (limit: 5 tanks), mercury devices (limit: 10 bulbs 4ft+), flares, cooking oil, LED bulbs, and batteries (tape terminals or bag individually).
NOT accepted: Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V — these go in regular trash), biomedical waste, sharps, explosives, medications, radioactive materials, electronics (separate route — go to CCCs), and all commercial/business waste.
What you must verify: Your specific chemical is on the accepted list. Call (813) 272-5680 if you have unusual or unlabeled chemicals. Confirm the HHW event schedule — dates may shift for holidays.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | Hillsborough County Solid Waste: (813) 272-5680, Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM |
| SolidWaste@HCFL.gov | |
| HHW locations | 3 sites — Sheldon Road (Tampa), South County (Gibsonton), Hillsborough Heights (Seffner) |
| Schedule | Select Saturdays only, 8 AM–2 PM |
| Cost | Free for Hillsborough County household residents |
| Required ID | State-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County residential address |
| Tampa HHW event | No longer operates — county services only |
| Paint limit | 10 one-gal or 5 five-gal containers per month |
| Propane limit | Five 30-lb or smaller tanks per visit |
| Bulb limit | 10 bulbs 4ft+ per visit |
| Gasoline limit | Max one 5-gallon container |
| Business waste | Not accepted at HHW events |
HHW Collection Locations and Schedule
Hillsborough County operates three HHW collection sites, each open one Saturday per month. These are the only household chemical disposal option for Tampa residents.
Sheldon Road HHW Center
- Address: 9805 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 33635
- Schedule: First Saturday of each month
- Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
- Convenient for: Tampa residents in the northwest area
South County HHW
- Address: 13000 US Hwy 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
- Schedule: Second Saturday of each month
- Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
- Convenient for: South Tampa and southern Hillsborough County residents
Hillsborough Heights HHW
- Address: 6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
- Schedule: Third Saturday of each month
- Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
- Convenient for: East Tampa and central Hillsborough County residents
All three sites follow the same rules. Choose whichever is closest or most convenient for your Saturday schedule.
Weather Closures
Florida thunderstorms can cause early closure. HHW events may close before 2 PM if severe weather is forecast or arrives during operating hours. Check the weather forecast before loading your vehicle, and consider going early in the operating window.
What Chemicals Are Accepted
HHW collection events accept a broad range of household chemicals and hazardous materials. The list below covers the main categories — if you are unsure about a specific item, call (813) 272-5680.
Accepted Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Household cleaners | Bleach, ammonia, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, bathroom cleaners, floor cleaners |
| Pest control products | Pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides, bug sprays, ant baits |
| Herbicides / weed killers | Roundup, weed & feed, lawn chemicals |
| Solvents and thinners | Paint thinner, mineral spirits, acetone, turpentine |
| Paint products | Latex and oil-based paint (10 one-gal or 5 five-gal limit/month), primer, stain, varnish |
| Automotive fluids | Motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid |
| Pool and spa chemicals | Chlorine, bromine, algaecides, pH adjusters |
| Propane / helium tanks | Up to five 30-lb or smaller tanks |
| Fire extinguishers | All sizes |
| Mercury devices | CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes (up to 10 bulbs 4ft+), thermometers, thermostats |
| Flares and ammunition | Road flares, small arms ammunition |
| Cooking oil | Used cooking oil and grease |
| LED bulbs | Accepted — not hazardous, but collected |
| Batteries | Lead-acid (car batteries), rechargeable (NiCad, NiMH, Li-ion), lithium, single-use (non-alkaline) |
Battery Preparation
- Tape battery terminals with electrical tape or masking tape to prevent short circuits.
- Alternatively, place each battery in an individual zip-close bag.
- Do not dismantle batteries or attempt to remove internal components.
- Lead-acid batteries should be transported upright to prevent leaking.
What Is NOT Accepted
Some items commonly confused with HHW have separate disposal routes or cannot be accepted at HHW events.
| Item | Why Not Accepted | Correct Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) | Not classified as hazardous waste | Place in regular garbage |
| Biomedical waste / sharps | Special handling required | Contact a medical waste disposal service or check with your pharmacy |
| Electronics (computers, TVs, monitors) | Accepted at CCCs, not HHW | Take to a Community Collection Center |
| Explosives | Safety hazard | Contact law enforcement or a licensed disposal service |
| Medications | Confidential destruction required | Drug take-back programs or pharmacy disposal kiosks |
| Radioactive materials | Special handling | Contact the Florida Department of Health |
| Smoke detectors | May contain small radioactive source | Return to manufacturer per instructions |
| Commercial / business waste | Not covered by household program | Use a licensed hazardous waste transporter |
ID and Eligibility Requirements
Who is eligible:
- All Hillsborough County household residents — single-family, rental, condo, townhome, apartment, and manufactured home dwellers
- You must have a Hillsborough County residential address
What to bring:
- A state-issued photo ID showing your Hillsborough County residential address
- A Florida driver's license with your current Hillsborough County address works
- If your ID has an old address, bring a recent utility bill or lease agreement showing your current Hillsborough County address
Who is NOT eligible:
- Businesses and commercial entities
- Residents of other Florida counties
Quantity Limits Per Visit
Hillsborough County enforces specific quantity limits for certain items at HHW events. Limits for other general HHW items are not explicitly stated — call (813) 272-5680 to confirm.
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Paint (latex and oil-based) | 10 one-gallon containers or 5 five-gallon containers per month |
| Propane tanks | Five tanks, 30 lbs or smaller each |
| Fluorescent bulbs (4ft+) | 10 bulbs per visit |
| Gasoline / diesel | Maximum one 5-gallon container |
| General HHW | Quantity limits not explicitly stated — call ahead |
If you have quantities that exceed these limits, consider spacing your drop-offs across multiple months or contacting a licensed hazardous waste transporter for large-volume disposal.
Container and Packaging Requirements
- Containers must be sealed and not leaking. This is the primary requirement.
- Original labels are preferred but not explicitly confirmed as mandatory on all official sources. If a label is missing, write the contents on the container with a permanent marker.
- Do not mix different chemicals into a single container — this can cause dangerous reactions.
- Transport upright in a secured box or tub to prevent tipping and spills.
- Separate incompatible materials — keep acids away from bases, flammables away from oxidizers.
- Tape battery terminals or bag each battery individually.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
Apartment resident with chemicals
You are eligible for HHW events as a Hillsborough County household resident. Bring your ID showing your current address. Do not pour chemicals down drains or put them in apartment dumpsters.
Renter with no vehicle
HHW events run on Saturdays, which may make it easier to coordinate with a friend or neighbor. Ask someone with a vehicle for help. Do not transport hazardous chemicals on public transit — spills in an enclosed space are dangerous.
Property manager with shared chemical storage
HHW events accept household quantities only. If your property has accumulated chemicals from maintenance or landscaping, bulk commercial disposal requires a licensed hazardous waste hauler.
Business and Commercial Chemical Disposal
Commercial/business waste is NOT accepted at HHW events or CCCs. This includes chemicals from:
- Construction and renovation
- Landscaping and lawn care businesses
- Cleaning services
- Automotive repair shops
- Any business or commercial operation
Businesses must use a licensed hazardous waste transporter. Search for "Tampa hazardous waste disposal commercial" or contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for licensed vendor information. Do not attempt to pass off commercial waste as household waste.
How to Prepare Chemicals for Disposal
- Check each container — sealed, not leaking, and labeled. If a container is leaking, place it inside a larger, sealable container.
- Tape battery terminals or place each battery in an individual zip-close bag.
- Group similar items together — keep household cleaners separate from pesticides, solvents separate from pool chemicals.
- Keep incompatible materials separate — acids away from bases, flammables away from oxidizers.
- Transport upright in a secured box or tub to prevent tipping and spills.
- Count your items — stay within the stated limits for paint (10/5 gal), propane (5 tanks), and bulbs (10 bulbs).
- Bring state-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County address.
- Arrive early — HHW events run 8 AM–2 PM and may close early if full or due to weather.
Safety Notes
- Never mix different chemicals together — can cause toxic reactions, fires, or explosions.
- Never pour chemicals down drains, on the ground, or into storm drains — illegal and environmentally harmful.
- Transport chemicals in a well-ventilated vehicle. Keep away from passengers.
- Wear gloves when handling leaking or unlabeled containers.
- If you cannot identify a chemical, label it "Unknown" and inform site staff when you arrive.
- Keep chemicals out of direct sunlight during transport, especially aerosols and flammable liquids.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling any chemical containers.
Official Verification Checklist
- Check HHW event schedule — verify which Saturday your nearest site operates.
- Confirm accepted items list — your specific chemical must be on the accepted list. Call (813) 272-5680 if unsure.
- Check your containers — sealed, not leaking, and ideally labeled.
- Count paint containers and propane tanks — stay within monthly quantity limits.
- Tape battery terminals — reduce fire risk during transport.
- Bring ID — state-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County address required.
- Check weather — events may close early for inclement weather. Go early.
- Confirm electronics are NOT brought to HHW — they belong at CCCs instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put household chemicals in the regular trash? No. Household chemicals, pesticides, and hazardous materials must go to HHW collection events. Never place them in regular garbage.
Where do I take pesticides and chemicals in Tampa? Hillsborough County HHW collection sites on select Saturdays: Sheldon Road (1st Saturday), South County (2nd Saturday), Hillsborough Heights (3rd Saturday). 8 AM–2 PM. Free with ID.
What chemicals are accepted? Cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, paint, automotive fluids, pool/spa chemicals, propane tanks, batteries, mercury devices, flares, cooking oil, and LED bulbs.
What is NOT accepted at HHW events? Alkaline batteries (trash), biomedical waste, sharps, explosives, medications, radioactive materials, electronics (go to CCCs), and all commercial/business waste.
Do I need to bring anything for ID? Yes — a state-issued photo ID showing a Hillsborough County residential address. A Florida driver's license works.
Does Tampa have its own HHW drop-off? No — Tampa no longer hosts its own annual Household Chemical and Electronics Collection event. All HHW disposal is through Hillsborough County sites.
What if I have unlabeled chemicals? Seal the container, label it "Unknown" if possible, and inform site staff when you arrive. Do not attempt to open or sniff unidentified chemicals.
Can I bring electronics to the HHW event? No. Electronics are not accepted at HHW events. They must go to a Community Collection Center (CCC) — a separate route.
Sources
- City of Tampa HHW Page — City information on HHW disposal.
- Discarding HHW — Hillsborough County — County HHW disposal guidance.
- Tampa Residential Services — City solid waste information for residents.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, event schedules, and hours change. Always confirm current information with Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 272-5680 or visit hcfl.gov before hauling chemicals for disposal.