The household special waste (HSW) drop-off depot accepts chemical waste generated in your home. Businesses must contact a private hazardous materials handling company for disposal. Business waste is not accepted at the HSW facility.
20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayer's Lake Business Park, Halifax
Sign up for notification of mobile HSW events, weekly collection reminders and service alerts, or print a calendar customized for your address.
Mobile community events 2023
Mobile community events take place between April and October and will be posted as confirmed.
The mobile community events are open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. rain or shine.
Please Note: Waste gasoline is accepted at mobile HSW events but cannot be bulked for disposal, as a result containers will not be given back. The permanent HSW depot is able to bulk waste gasoline and return containers.
Saturday, April 29
Sackville Transit Terminal
7 Walker Ave, Lower Sackville
Saturday, May 6
Porters Lake Transit Terminal
21 Inspiration Dr, Porters Lake
Saturday, May 20
Mic Mac Mall
21 Micmac Blvd, Dartmouth
Saturday, June 24
Auburn Drive High School
300 Auburn Dr, Cole Harbour
Saturday, July 8
BMO Centre
61 Gary Martin Dr, Bedford
Saturday, July 15
Brookside Jr High
2239 Prospect Rd, Hatchet Lake
Saturday, July 29
George P Vanier Jr High School
1410 Fall River Rd, Fall River
Saturday, August 5
Saint Mary's University
960 Tower Rd, Halifax
Saturday, August 12
Marine Drive Academy
479 Church Point Road, Sheet Harbour
Saturday, August 19
St Margaret's Bay Elementary
24 Ridgewood Dr, Head of St Margarets Bay
Saturday, August 26
Cole Harbour Place
51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour
Saturday, September 9
Musquodoboit Rural High School
11980 NS-224, Middle Musquodoboit
Saturday, September 23
Harold T Barrett Jr High
862 Beaver Bank Rd, Beaver Bank
Saturday, October 7
Mic Mac Mall
21 Micmac Blvd, Dartmouth
Saturday, October 14
Horizon Community School
168 Redoubt Way, Eastern Passage
Saturday, October 28
Eastern Shore Community Centre
67 Park Rd, Musquodoboit Harbour
Saturday, November 4
NSCC Leeds St Campus
5685 Leeds St, Halifax
Permanent Household Special Waste Depot Schedule
The depot is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as follows:
- AUGUST
-
August 5 – CLOSED
August 12 – OPEN
August 19 – OPEN
August 26 – OPEN - SEPTEMBER
-
September 2 – CLOSED
September 9 – OPEN
September 16 – CLOSED
September 23 – OPEN
September 30 – CLOSED - OCTOBER
-
October 7 – CLOSED
October 14 – OPEN
October 21 – OPEN
October 28 - OPEN - NOVEMBER
-
November 4 – OPEN
November 11 – CLOSED
November 18 – OPEN
November 25 – OPEN - DECEMBER
-
December 2 – OPEN
December 9 – OPEN
December 16 – OPEN
December 23 – CLOSED
December 30 – CLOSED
What can I drop-off at the HSW depot?
The following household special waste items can be processed at the HSW depot:
- batteries (or check Call2Recycle to find another location to return batteries; do NOT place batteries in your recycling bag)
- leftover paint and empty paint cans (or Paint Recycling Program)
- corrosive cleaners
- pesticides and herbicides
- gasoline
- used motor oil (or find a collection site with Atlantic Used Oil Management Association)
- solvents and thinners
- medications (or return to pharmacy)
- aerosol cans containing hazardous substances
- BBQ propane tanks (or return to tank exchange)
- small propane cylinders (i.e. for camp stoves and propane torches)
- CFL and fluorescent bulbs
- residential fire extinguishers (empty fire extinguishers up to 5 lb may be placed in the garbage)
Electronics and sharps are not accepted at the HSW depot.
Empty paint cans
Dry or empty paint cans are now accepted for recycling at the HSW drop-off depot/events or Paint Recycling Program drop-off locations. Brushes, and rollers should go in your regular garbage.
Products containing mercury
The following are products that contain mercury:
- CFL and fluorescent bulbs
- thermostats
- household thermometers
- button cell batteries
Light tubes and bulbs containing mercury are accepted at the HSW depot but not at the Otter Lake Facility.
Dan-X Recycling (64 Trider Cres, Burnside) also accepts CFL and fluorescent bulbs from residents and businesses. Inquire with Dan-X Recycling for the costs associated with these services.
Items NOT ACCEPTED at the HSW Depot
The following household special waste items CANNOT be processed at the HSW depot:
- Household garbage, recycling, cardboard
- Appliances and electronics (visit Recycle My Electronics for drop-off locations)
- Refrigerant containing appliances (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, water cooler, or dehumidifier; Request removal of refrigerants)
- Medical waste and sharps (sharps can be disposed of in sharps containers and returned to local pharmacies; more information here)
- PCB containing materials/ballasts, radioactive waste, asbestos waste (contact Nova Scotia Department of Environment)
- Gas cylinders with unknown contents (contact manufacturer/supplier or Nova Scotia Department of Environment)
- Explosive waste (ammunition, fireworks, flares; contact HRP or RCMP for ammunition, contact supplier for flare disposal)
- Construction and demolition materials (take material to Halifax C&D)
Safe Storage of Household Special Waste
Health Canada offers the following advise for safe storage of household chemicals:
- Store in original containers and according to instructions.
- Keep all safety information.
- Keep out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.
- Store paints, solvents, gasoline, fuels, varnishes and other products that may release harmful fumes or catch fire outside of your home.
- If possible, store products in a separate building that is not connected to your home's ventilation system.
- Avoid storing chemical products in areas with fluctuating temperatures.
- Regularly check containers for leaks or damage.
For more information on the use and storage of household chemicals, visit the Government of Canada.