The Household Special Waste (HSW) drop-off depot is operated by a certified contractor and accepts chemical waste generated in your home. Although the HSW operates on the same property as the recycling facility, it is a fully separate operation.
The Household Special Waste depot is located at 20 Horseshoe Lake Dr. in Bayers Lake. Only drop off your household special waste on scheduled Saturdays when trained and certified personnel are present to safely accept household special waste items. Sign up for notification of mobile HSW events, weekly collection reminders and service alerts, or print a calendar customized for your address.
For questions regarding the HSW Depot, contact 311.
Businesses must contact a private hazardous materials handling company for disposal. Business waste is not accepted at the HSW facility.
Permanent Depot Schedule
Mobile Community Events
Safe Storage
Accepted Materials
Permanent HSW Depot Schedule
The HSW Depot is open most Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. When recycling collection is rescheduled to Saturday due to a holiday the HSW Depot is closed.
January
Open: January 11th, 18th, 25th
Closed: January 4th (Recycling rescheduled for New Year's Day)
February
Open: February 1st, 8th, 22nd
Closed: February 15th (Recycling rescheduled for Heritage Day)
March
Open: March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
April
Open: April 5th, 12th, 26th
Closed: April 19th (Recycling rescheduled for Easter)
May
Open: May 3rd, 10th, 24th, 31st
Closed: May 17th (Recycling rescheduled for Victoria Day)
June
Open: June 7th, 14th, 21st
Closed: June 28th (Recycling rescheduled for Canada Day)
July
Open: July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
August
Open: August 9th, 16th, 23rd
Closed: August 2nd (Recycling rescheduled for Natal Day) August 30th (Recycling rescheduled for Labour Day)
September
Open: September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
October
Open: October 4th, 18th, 25th
Closed: October 11th (Recycling rescheduled for Thanksgiving)
November
Open: November 1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Closed: November 8th (Recycling rescheduled for Remembrance Day)
December
Open: December 6th, 13th, 20th
Closed: December 27th (Recycling rescheduled for Christmas Day)
The following household special waste items can be processed at the HSW depot:
- batteries (or check RecycleYourBatteries for a full list or recycling options)
- Lithium batteries pose safety risks such as overheating and fires; therefore, it is important to properly dispose of them. Do NOT place batteries in your recycling bag. Lithium batteries under 5kg are accepted at the Household Special Waste depots. For larger lithium batteries and other recycling locations visit RecycleYourBatteries.
- vape batteries (cartridges/tanks must be removed), single use all in one vape pens/sticks/devices
- leftover paint and empty paint cans
- Dry or empty paint cans are 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
- 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; Sharps are NOT accepted at HSW)
- aerosol cans containing hazardous substances
- BBQ propane tanks (or return to tank exchange)
- small propane and butane 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)
- unused or leftover residential concrete and cement mix powder (Alternatively, unused or leftover concrete and cement mix in its original packaging can be accepted at Halifax C&D)
- products containing 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.
The following household special waste items CANNOT be processed at the HSW depot:
- Household garbage, recycling, cardboard
- Oil tanks are not accepted at the HSW. Oil tanks should be drained by a professional, and the oil brought to the HSW or a participating UOMA location. For empty oil tanks, contact a professional or a local scrapyard for recycling options. The Province of Nova Scotia recommends speaking with your oil tank installer to see if they will take back your old tank when it is replaced. See https://novascotia.ca/lae/fuelsafety/petroleum-domestic/ for further information.
- 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)
- 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.
HSW Community Events
Mobile community events take place between May and October. Bring your unwanted Household Special Waste to the mobile depot to be handled and disposed of by experts. The depot will operate rain or shine. Events are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Click here for a list of accepted items.