A-Z Disposal Info

Need more information or have questions?  Call 360-385-9160. 

The Recycling flyer has information on recycling cardboard, glass, metal cans, paper, and plastic.

The Hazardous Waste page has information on disposing of hazardous waste.

Aerosol spray cans – Are trash if empty. Otherwise, hazardous waste.

Ammunition – Call WA State Patrol in Bremerton 360-473-0300 to arrange disposal.

Animal Carcasses – Dispose of at Transfer Station.  Large animal carcasses by appointment 360-385-9160.

Antifreeze – Dispose of up to 5 gallons/day/per customer at Disposal Facilities.

  • Used – Pour into designated drums at Transfer Station/Recycle Center or Quilcene Drop Box, or take to HHW Facility.
  • Contaminated with oils, solvents, gas, etc. – Visit Hazardous Waste page for where and when to dispose of these.

Appliances – If working may be accepted at Habitat for Humanity or Waste not Want Not. Call first.

  • Refrigerating – Air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators. Transfer Station or Quilcene Drop Box. Fees apply.
  • Other – Washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, etc. Transfer Station or Quilcene Drop Box. Fees apply.

Asbestos – Jefferson County does not accept asbestos-containing materials.  Disposal options elsewhere:  Kitsap County – Olympic View Transfer Station 360-674-2297; or Clallam County – Waste Connections Inc. 800-422-7854.

Batteries

  • Alkaline – Risk of fire unless completely discharged. Cover terminals with tape or put each battery in a separate plastic bag.  Dispose in trash
  • Automotive – Free recycling at auto parts stores (check first.)  Otherwise, dispose of at Transfer Station or Quilcene Drop Box, fees apply.
  • Rechargeable, Lithium, Button Cell (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Lithium (disposable) or Lithium-Ion (rechargeable)), Small sealed lead-acid. Risk of fire, cover terminals with tape or put each battery in a separate plastic bag. Recycle at Public Works Office (623 Sheridan St, Port Townsend), and Environmental Health (617 Sheridan St, Port Townsend).

Cell phones – Recycle at Public Works Office, and Environmental Health Office.

Compressed gas bottles – Not accepted at any Jefferson County Solid Waste Facility. Contact a gas supply company, such as Airgas, for instructions.

Concrete – Small amounts accepted for disposal at Transfer Station. For larger amounts, call Shold at (360) 379-4813 for pricing and more info.

Electronics

  • E-Cycle Washington eligible electronics are computers (desktop & laptop,) monitors, TVs, tablets, e-readers, and portable DVD players. Drop-off under the canopy at the front of the Transfer Station Recycling building. Ring buzzer for attendant. Goodwill accepts if told it’s for E-Cycle Washington program.
  • Visit 1-800-Recycle for where to recycle items not eligible for E-Cycle Washington.

Fire extinguishers – If empty dispose of in trash. ABC-type fire extinguishers use an agent that is not considered toxic in WA state so they can be disposed of as regular garbage. For disposal of halon extinguishers, contact Tarboo Ridge Extinguishers at (360) 385-3306. Tarboo has a vendor that reclaims the halon and recharges extinguishers.

Fireworks (unexploded) – Wet thoroughly, wrap in plastic and seal so will not dry out; want it to remain wet, dispose in regular trash.

Food Scraps – Help reduce the volume of solid waste going to the landfill by composting your food waste. Learn more about backyard composting and its benefits.

Fuels – Gasoline, Diesel, White Gas, Kerosene, Heating Oil, Fuels-Mixed, and Liquid Paraffin, visit Hazardous Waste page for where and when to dispose of these.

Hazardous Waste – Anything labeled with “Danger” or “Warning” is hazardous and should not go in regular garbage.  Listed below are just some of the types of household hazardous waste accepted by our Hazardous Waste program.

  • Acids – various kinds
  • Adhesives
  • Alkalines – various kinds
  • Automotive products
  • Corrosives – acid and alkaline
  • Flammable liquids
  • Herbicides – all types
  • Lawn and garden chemicals
  • Mercury, elemental
  • Personal care products – Hair color, hair spray, nail polish & remover.
  • Pesticides – all types
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Poisonous liquids
  • Pool chemicals
  • Refrigerant – includes disposable recharging cylinders and recovery cylinders
  • Roofing Cement or Roofing Compound
  • Solvents (i.e. wood preservatives)
  • Tung Oil (combustible liquid)
  • Turpentine (combustible liquid)
  • Wood Preservatives

Light Bulbs

  • Incandescent, halogen and LED go in regular trash.
  • Fluorescent and HID lights (Straight tubes, “U”, Circular, and CFL) – Recycle up to 10 per day in designated recycling area at the Transfer Station and Quilcene Drop Box.
  • Ballasts – Regular trash if marked “No PCBs” or a date of 1979 or after. Ballasts without such markings are assumed to contain PCBs and are accepted as Hazardous Waste; SQG Fees apply.

Mattresses – Dispose of as garbage at Transfer Station or Quilcene Drop Box.

Medicines and medical items – Never dump medications down the sink, toilet or other drain.

  • Prescription pills/capsules – Dropbox in Sheriff’s Office lobby for free disposal during open business hours. Prescription pills/capsules only. NO syringes or liquids. See flyer for more info.
  • Medications, Liquids and Over the Counter – Prescription and non-prescription pills and liquids can be disposed of in regular trash after made inedible as follows: 1. Empty pills into a baggie and partially dissolve in a small amount of water.  2. Add soil, kitty litter or other inedible material. Discard mixture and original container(s) in household trash.
  • Syringes & Sharps – Visit Jefferson County Public Health’s Home Syringe Disposal page.

Oil – The HHW Facility accepts oils of any kind. Differing oils should be labeled and should not be mixed.

  • Motor oil – used and unmixed – Up to 5 gallons/day/per customer at Transfer Station or Quilcene Drop Box. Pour into designated drums or tanks. Also, for businesses moorage tenants: Port Ludlow Marine Store 360-437-0513 and the Port of Port Townsend. All free disposal sites.
  • Motor oil – contaminated with water, gas, solvents, etc. – visit the Hazardous Waste page for where and when to dispose of these.
  • Oil filters – Used motor oil filters are accepted at at Jiffy Lube on Sims Way (disposal fee) or visit the Hazardous Waste page for where and when to dispose of these.

Packing/shipping materials such as bubble wrap, air bags, and Styrofoam peanuts may be accepted at local UPS Store or Mail Plus.  Call first.  Otherwise, dispose of as regular garbage.

Paints, stains, solvents, and caulking – Never dispose of in sink, toilet, or other drain. Full cans of acrylic/latex paint may be accepted at Waste Not Want Not. Call first.

  • Oil-based paints and solvents – This includes paints, stains, solvents, roof tars, automotive grease, putty and caulks with combustible or flammable label warnings.  These are considered Hazardous Waste.  Fees apply to eligible businesses.
  • Latex paint can be disposed of in the garbage once it is thickened to a non-pourable consistency. See Tips on Latex Paint. This can include water-borne stains and sealants with instructions to clean with ‘soap and water’.  Watch King County’s brief video linked on this page.
  • Jefferson County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program will continue to collect latex and oil-based paints, stains and varnishes at hazardous waste collection events.
  • Paint Recycling – Peninsula Paint Center, 315 Decatur St., Port Townsend, accepts latex and oil-based house paint, stains, and varnishes as part of the PaintCare program during normal business hours. Visit the website for limits and other details: https://www.paintcare.org/states/washington/.

Propane bottles

  • 1-lb disposable – go in trash if empty otherwise, visit the Hazardous Waste page for where and when to dispose of these.
  • Refillable bottles – Accepted at Peninsula Auto Wrecking & Recycling 360-385-7603.

Smoke alarms – Safe to put in the trash.  Some contain a tiny amount of radioactive material, but far less than ordinary background radiation found in nature.

Stumps – Contact Shold at (360) 379-4813 for pricing and more info.

Styrofoam – The volunteer group Port Townsend StyroCyclers runs a Styrofoam recycling program in East Jefferson County. They collect Styrofoam that is white, rigid, clean, and free of labels, tape, cardboard, or paper. To schedule a Styrofoam pickup or delivery, email PTStyroCyclers@gmail.com or message them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PortTownsendStyrofoam/.

Tires – Up to five accepted with or without rims at the Transfer Station and Quilcene DropBox.  If more than five contact SW Operations Coordinator first at 360-385-9160. Disposal fees apply.  Alternative disposal options are listed on this page.

%d bloggers like this: