Home | Services | Household Hazardous Waste
District Services

Household Hazardous Waste

We host recurring Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout the county on a monthly basis from March through October. These collections allow residents to safely dispose of toxic or potentially hazardous items from their homes.

All waste is handled in compliance with environmental regulations, ensuring it is disposed of or recycled in the most responsible way possible.

Simply load your vehicle with your household hazardous waste—our team will take care of the unloading, safe handling, and disposal when you arrive.

Our collection events are exclusively for residents of Lake County, IN. We cannot accommodate businesses, schools, organizations or those who live outside Lake County, IN.

Learn about our Latex Paint Collection here

Paper shredding is now available at all Household Hazardous Waste Collections! Limit: 4 paper grocery bags or equivalent.

2026 Household Hazardous Waste Information

2026 printable HHW schedule
Sat March 21: Crown Point

Lake County Fairgrounds
Enter at Gate 4 (Court & Franciscan)
9am-2pm
889 Court St.

Sat April 11: Munster

Munster Public Works
9am-2pm
508 Fisher St.

Wed May 13: Hobart

Hobart Public Works 
3pm-7pm
340 South Shelby St.

Sat May 30: Gary

 Hudson Campbell Center
 9am-2pm
 455 Massachusetts St.

Wed June 17: Lowell

Lowell Middle School (North Parking Lot)
2pm-6pm
19250 Cline Ave.

Sat July 25: Highland

Highland Public Works
9am-2pm
8001 Kennedy Ave.

Wed Aug 12: Whiting

 Whiting Public Works
 2pm-6pm
 1915 Front St.

Sat September 12: Hammond

Hammond Public Works
9am-2pm
601 Conkey St.

Sat October 17: Griffith

Griffith Public Works
9am-2pm
134 South Colfax St.

What is Accepted?

  • Aerosols
  • Ammunition
  • Antifreeze
  • Automotive Fluids
  • Batteries (household only, no car batteries)
  • Compact Fluorescent Lights
  • Corrosives
  • Diesel Fuel
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fireworks
  • Flammable Liquids
  • Fluorescent Tubes
  • Fungicides
  • Gasoline
  • Helium Tanks (household-sized only)
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Kerosene
  • Medications (liquid or pill form)
  • Mercury-Containing Products
  • Oils and Other Fluids
  • Oil Based Paint (No Latex Paint)
  • Oxygen Tanks (Small/portable only)
  • Pesticides
  • Poisons
  • Propane Tanks
  • Sharps (medical needles in a rigid container)
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Solvents
  • Thermometers (in a sealed bag)
  • Thermostats (in a sealed bag)
  • Thinners
  • Vapes
  • Waste Fuels
  • Latex Paint
  • Hazardous Waste from businesses, schools, or non profit organizations.
  • Acetylene Tanks
  • Asbestos
  • Auto/Back-Up/Boat/Truck Batteries
  • Containers larger than five gallons
  • Explosives (Please contact your local Fire Department for disposal)
  • Medical Waste (other than medications and sharps)
  • Controlled Medications
  • Large Oxygen Tanks
  • Radioactive materials

Latex paint is water-based, meaning it cleans up with soap and water and is not considered a hazardous material. It is by far the most common type of paint: roughly 95% of house paints sold today are latex, and many stains are too.

To know for sure, check your paint can label. Look for words like latex, acrylic, water-based, or soap and water cleanup — any of these mean it’s latex and does not qualify for Hazardous Waste Collection drop-off.

Thankfully, multiple options are available for responsibly disposing your latex paint

Hazardous Waste Services for Businesses and Organizations

Businesses or residents with large quantities of hazardous materials can call Tradebe Enviromental Services: (800) 388-7242 or (219) 688-9100 or Veolia Environmental Services: (219) 392-6709
 
ILLINOIS RESIDENTS can click here for a information on collections in your area. 

More District Services

  • Miscellaneous Materials

    Unsure what to do with it? Our item-by-item directory points you to the correct recycling or disposal route.
    Learn More

  • Tire Recycling

    Recycle tires safely and keep them out of landfills. Find nearby drop-off sites and monthly limits.
    Learn More

  • Latex Paint Recycling

    Latex Paint is not accepted at our HHW collections. Learn about our stand-alone recycling events and see quick disposal guidelines.
    Learn More

  • Computer Component and TV Recycling

    Recycle TVs, computers, and more the right way. See where to bring electronics across Lake County.
    Learn More

  • Compost

    We offer every Lake County household an allotment of compost at no cost. Learn how to get yours!
    Learn More

  • Appliance Recycling

    Ready to retire a fridge, microwave, or washer? Find drop-off locations and accepted appliances.
    Learn More

  • Leaf Collection & Drop-Off

    Live in an unincorporated area? Find out about our seasonal pickups and drop-off locations.
    Learn More