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 a.m. – 4 p.m. as follows:
May 26 - OPEN
June 2 - OPEN
June 9 - OPEN
June 16 - OPEN
June 23 - OPEN
June 30 - CLOSED
July 7 - OPEN
July 14 - OPEN
July 21 - OPEN
July 28 - OPEN
Mobile community events
May 5 - Sackville Transit Terminal
May 26 - Porters Lake Transit Terminal
June 16 - Mic Mac Mall
July 7 - BMO Centre
August 18 - Cole Harbour Place
September 8 - Oyster Pond Academy
September 15 - George P. Vanier
September 22 - Tallahassee Community School
October 13 - Mic Mac Mall
October 27 - NSCC Leeds St., Halifax Campus
Future dates and locations will be posted as confirmed.
The mobile community events are open from 9 a.m. - 4 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 (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, brushes, and rollers are not hazardous and should go in your regular garbage. If you have small amounts of leftover paint, let it air dry or mix with cat litter and then place it with 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.