Share this page Print

Materials accepted at household hazardous waste drop-off locations

Please make sure your household chemicals are clearly labelled and sealed properly, if possible in the original containers. These household hazardous waste pose a danger to our workers, your family, your pets, your neighbourhood and the environment. Learn more about storing household hazardous waste safely.


What to do with propane or helium tanks

What household hazardous materials does The City accept?

Products for your vehicles

Hobby and health care products

  • Antifreeze
  • Automotive batteries (These are lead-acid batteries. Also includes batteries for motorcycles, RVs, lawn mowers, golf carts and wheel chairs.)
  • Brake and transmission fluid
  • Gasoline
  • Rust inhibitors/removers
  • Solvents
  • Used motor oil *

* If oil must be decanted and container returned, please visit our hazardous waste drop-off landfills locations.

  • Artist paint and inks
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Glues and cements
  • Helium tanks (rupture disk must be punctured)
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Nail polish and remover
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Propane tanks
  • Waterproofers

Gardening Products

Cleaning products

  • Ant and rodent killer
  • Fertilizers
  • Weed killer
  • Bleach and ammonia
  • Cleaning solvents and spot removers
  • Disinfectants
  • Drain, toilet and window cleaners
  • Hot tub and swimming pool chemicals
  • Oven cleaners
  • Septic tank cleaners

Paint and building products

  • Alkyd, latex and oil-based paints
  • Asphalt and roof tar
  • Lacquers, stains and varnishes
  • Paint thinners, strippers and solvents
  • Wood preservatives
  • Old smoke detectors

Items we don't accept:

Batteries
Leave dry cell batteries (flashlight, radio, hearing aid etc.) for regular household garbage pick-up.

Explosives and ammunition
Call the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 for safe disposal.

Radioactive Waste
Contact the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in Calgary at 403-292-5181.

Asbestos waste
Contact 3-1-1 for disposal options.

Biomedical waste
Look in the local Yellow pages under "Waste disposal - Hazardous" for disposal options.

Compressed gas cylinders other than propane or helium (medi-gas, Freon, etc.)
Contact the manufacturer for disposal options.

Empty dry paint cans
Leave for regular household garbage pickup. (Drop off used paint at household chemical depots.)

Fluorescent bulbs
Leave for regular household garbage for pick up but treat them as you would broken glass or wrap them completely in duct tape.

Broken glass, needles and other sharp items
Place all such items in sealed puncture proof containers (such as plastic bleach bottles) with a tight fitting lid, label as "sharps" and leave for regular household garbage pickup.

Old drugs and medications
Return unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist for disposal.

Oil and paint recycling - Find more information

For more information about paint recycling, call 1-888-999-8762 or visit the Alberta Recycling Management Authority. For more information about used oil recycling, visit the Alberta Used Oil Management Association.