HazmatDrop
Home›States›Virginia

Virginia household hazardous waste drop-off

Pick your county to see its drop-off sites, collection events and home pickup. Check who can use each program, and call before you go.

Virginia counties

Counties in gray have no current listing yet: call the county for local options.

Virginia metro areas

RichmondVirginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk

Upcoming collection events in Virginia

Soonest first. Events usually serve only residents of the city or county that runs them, and many need an appointment. Events with addresses and phone numbers →

About Virginia programs

Virginia has no statewide household hazardous waste collection; counties, independent cities and regional authorities run their own. Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, Henrico, Chesterfield, Richmond and the Roanoke Valley have year-round or monthly drop-off, and the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) runs sites for South Hampton Roads. Many other localities hold one or two collection days a year, and some have none. Virginia’s 38 independent cities are separate from the counties around them, so we list each one on its own.

Virginia’s independent cities are not part of any county, so each has its own row. Many localities hold household hazardous waste collections only once or twice a year, and some have none. Where we list no current program, call the county or city public works office about the next collection day.

State rules and programs

Batteries in Virginia

The law: Virginia law makes it unlawful to put a used lead-acid battery in household trash or dispose of it except by taking it to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter, or an authorized collection or recycling facility. Virginia DEQ says all locations that sell motor vehicle batteries must take back used batteries for recycling.

Stewardship program: Virginia has no battery stewardship program for household batteries. Many household hazardous waste sites and collection days take household and car batteries; check each listing for the kinds it accepts.

Where to take them: 21 Virginia programs we list accept batteries. Some take only certain kinds, so check each listing. Programs that list batteries include SPSA Regional Landfill Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste, I-66 Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Site and RVRA Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Tinker Creek Transfer Station). Pick your county above for every program.

Which batteries can go in the trash, how to tape and bag them, and other states’ rules: How to dispose of batteries.

Sources (checked Sat, Oct 24, 2026): Code of Virginia § 10.1-1425.1: Lead acid batteries; land disposal prohibited, Virginia DEQ: Recycling guidance by material (household hazardous waste).

Motor oil and car fluids in Virginia

The law: We found no Virginia law requiring stores to take back used motor oil. Virginia DEQ’s used oil recycling program promotes recycling of used motor oil, antifreeze and other automotive fluids.

Collection program: Virginia DEQ says many service stations, auto repair shops, parts stores and local governments provide collection sites for used motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze, and asks you to check with your locality’s recycling coordinator. Do not carry used oil in glass containers.

Antifreeze: Virginia DEQ groups antifreeze with used oil and oil filters: take it to a local collection site, many of which are run by local governments or auto parts stores.

Where to take it: 16 Virginia programs we list accept motor oil and 16 accept antifreeze. Programs that list motor oil or antifreeze include Springfield Road Public Use Area, Northern Area Convenience Center and East Richmond Road Convenience Center. Pick your county above for every program.

How to pack used oil and filters, what to do with antifreeze, brake fluid and gasoline, and other states’ rules: How to dispose of used motor oil and car fluids.

Sources (checked Sun, Oct 25, 2026): Virginia DEQ: Recycling guidance by material (household hazardous waste).

Pesticides and garden chemicals in Virginia

Household rules: Virginia DEQ lists pesticides among common household hazardous wastes. Many of the county and city sites and collection days we list take pesticides and other garden chemicals.

State pesticide collection: The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Pesticide Collection Program, run with Virginia Cooperative Extension, helps agricultural producers, licensed pesticide dealers, pest control companies, golf courses and homeowners dispose of unwanted pesticides at no cost. The state is split into five regions and one region holds collections each year (Northeast in 2026, Northwest in 2027, Central in 2028); participants bring pesticides to a central collection site. Dates for the 2027 Northwest collection will be released in early 2027.

Where to take them: 19 Virginia programs we list accept pesticides and 15 accept pool chemicals. Programs that list pesticides or pool chemicals include I-66 Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Site, SPSA Regional Landfill Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste and RVRA Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Tinker Creek Transfer Station). Pick your county above for every program.

How to store and pack leftover pesticides, weed killer and pool chemicals, what to do with empty containers, and other states’ rules: How to dispose of pesticides and garden chemicals.

Sources (checked Thu, Oct 29, 2026): VDACS: Pesticide Collection Program, Virginia DEQ: Special waste (household hazardous waste).

FAQ

Is household hazardous waste disposal free in Virginia?

Usually, for residents. Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William County, Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond, SPSA and the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority list free drop-off for the residents they serve. Check each listing before you go.

Can I use a household hazardous waste site outside my county or city in Virginia?

Usually not. Most sites serve only residents of the localities that run them. Regional programs are the exception: SPSA sites serve all eight of its member localities in South Hampton Roads, VPPSA collections on the Peninsula serve Williamsburg, James City County, York County, Hampton and Poquoson, and the RVRA facility serves Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County and Vinton.

What if my county or city has no household hazardous waste program?

Call your public works or solid waste office about the next collection day; many localities hold one or two a year. Virginia DEQ notes that some items, such as used motor oil and car batteries, are often taken by auto parts stores, and stores that sell car batteries must take used ones back. For unwanted pesticides, check the VDACS Pesticide Collection Program for your region’s next collection.

Last checked Sat, Oct 31, 2026. Checked against each Virginia county’s, independent city’s and regional authority’s own page: 27 programs verified on an official page. How we check.