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.
Household special waste depot schedule
The depot is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. as follows:
March 16 - OPEN
March 23 - OPEN
March 30 - OPEN
April 6 - OPEN
April 13 - OPEN
April 20 - CLOSED
April 27 - OPEN
May 4 - OPEN
May 11 - OPEN
May 18 - CLOSED
May 25 - OPEN
Mobile community events (2019)
May 4 - Sackville Transit Terminal
May 11 - Porters Lake Transit Terminal
June 15 - Mic Mac Mall
July 6 - BMO Centre
August 17 - Cole Harbour Place
September 7 - Oyster Pond Academy
September 14 - Georges P. Vanier School, Fall River
September 21 - Tallahassee Community School, Eastern Passage
October 19 - Mic Mac Mall
October 26 - NSCC Leeds St., Halifax Campus
Future dates and locations will be posted as confirmed.
The mobile community events are open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. rain or shine.
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)
- leftover paint and empty paint cans (or Paint Recycling Program)
- corrosive cleaners
- pesticides and herbicides
- gasoline and fuel oil
- used motor oil (or return to retailer)
- solvents and thinners
- pharmaceuticals and drugs (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 Bulbs (or find a residential mercury collection drop-off location near you)
- 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
Efficiency Nova Scotia has a take-back program for products that contain mercury, including:
- CFL and fluorescent bulbs
- thermostats
- household thermometers
- button cell batteries
For full details and drop-off locations visit Efficiency Nova Scotia.
Dan-X Recycling (64 Trider Cres, Burnside) also accepts CFL and fluorescent bulbs from residents and businesses for a small fee.