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 2022
Mobile community event 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.
Saturday, April 30
Sackville Transit Terminal
7 Walker Ave, Lower Sackville
Saturday, May 7
Porters Lake Transit Terminal
21 Inspiration Dr, Porters Lake
Saturday, May 21
Mic Mac Mall
21 Micmac Blvd, Dartmouth
Saturday, June 4
St Margaret's Bay Elementary
24 Ridgewood Dr, Head of St Margarets Bay
Saturday, June 18
Musquodoboit Rural High
11980 NS-224, Middle Musquodoboit
Saturday, July 2
Cole Harbour Place
51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour
Saturday, July 9
BMO Centre
61 Gary Martin Dr, Bedford
Saturday, July 16
Harrietsfield Elementary
1150 Old Sambro Rd. Harrietsfield
Saturday, July 30
Saint Mary's University
960 Tower Rd, Halifax
Saturday, August 13
Marine Drive Academy
479 Church Point Road, Sheet Harbour
Saturday, August 27
Harold T Barrett Jr High
862 Beaver Bank Rd, Beaver Bank
Saturday, September 3
Cole Harbour Place
51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour
Saturday, September 10
Oyster Pond Academy
10583 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Lake Charlotte
*Rescheduled to October 29 due to weather*Saturday, September 24 -
Horizon Community School
168 Redoubt Way, Eastern Passage
Saturday, October 8
Mic Mac Mall
21 Micmac Blvd, Dartmouth
Saturday, October 15
George P Vanier Jr High School
1410 Fall River Rd, Fall River
Saturday, October 22
NSCC Leeds St Campus
5685 Leeds St, Halifax
Saturday, October 29
Horizon Community School
168 Redoubt Way, Eastern Passage
Permanent Household Special Waste Depot Schedule
The depot is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as follows:
- JULY
-
JULY 2 – CLOSED
JULY 9 – OPEN
JULY 16 – OPEN
JULY 23 – OPEN
JULY 30 – CLOSED - AUGUST
-
AUGUST 6 – OPEN
AUGUST 13 – OPEN
AUGUST 20 – OPEN
AUGUST 27 – OPEN - SEPTEMBER
-
SEPTEMBER 3 – CLOSED
SEPTEMBER 10 – OPEN
SEPTEMBER 17 – OPEN
SEPTEMBER 24 – CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER - OCTOBER
-
OCTOBER 1 – CLOSED
OCTOBER 8 – CLOSED
OCTOBER 15 – OPEN
OCTOBER 22 – OPEN
OCTOBER 29 – OPEN - NOVEMBER
-
NOVEMBER 5 – OPEN
NOVEMBER 12 – CLOSED
NOVEMBER 19 – OPEN
NOVEMBER 26 – OPEN - DECEMBER
-
DECEMBER 3 – OPEN
DECEMBER 10 – OPEN
DECEMBER 17 – OPEN
DECEMBER 24 – CLOSED
DECEMBER 31 – 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)
- 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 not accepted for disposal 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.
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.