Household hazardous waste

There are year-round disposal options for some common household hazardous wastes. Store others until the next collection event.

Acids – Hold for a HHW event

Acetone – Hold for a HHW event

Ammunition – No source at this time. 

Antifreeze – Dilute 2 parts water to 1 part antifreeze. Residents connected to the city sanitary sewer system may pour this mixture down a sink or tub drain. Rinse well. Do NOT pour this mixture down a drain if your home is connected to a septic tank. Contact Water Quality through LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255 if you need to dispose of 25 gallons or more. Antifreeze is accepted at HHW collection events.

Asbestos – Contact Republic Services at (859) 263-2000. Asbestos will not be accepted at HHW collection events.

Batteries – You can recycle most batteries for free at the Electronics Recycling Center. The center does not accept automotive or other lead-acid batteries. *See below for lead-acid batteries.

Rechargeable batteries – Recycle them for free at the Electronics Recycling Center. The center does not accept automotive or other lead-acid batteries. *See below for lead-acid batteries.

Alkaline batteries – Alkaline batteries contain manganese, steel and zinc, all of which are naturally occurring metals that pose no threat to the environment. You can put them in the trash, take them to the Electronics Recycling Center, or save them for a HHW collection event. *See below for lead-acid batteries.

Lead-acid batteries – Lead-acid batteries cannot be placed in your green trash cart and cannot be recycled at the Electronics Recycling Center. You can recycle them for free at Interstate Battery, 1251A Georgetown Rd. or hold them for a HHW collection event.

Brake fluid – Hold for a HHW event

Calcium chloride – Hold liquid calcium chloride for a HHW collection event. Dry calcium chloride can be double-bagged and put in the green trash cart or held for a collection event.

Carpet cleaning wastewater – Filter out the solids, fiber, hair, etc. Pour the liquid down a drain into the sanitary sewer system. It is against the law to discharge carpet cleaning wastewater to streets, sidewalks, storm drains or storm sewers. Carpet cleaner is accepted at HHW collection events.

Electronics – Fayette County residents can recycle electronics for free at the Electronics Recycling Center, 1306 Versailles Rd.

Explosives, caps, dynamite, fireworks, etc. – Contact Lexington Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit via the Lexington Police Non-Emergency Number (859) 258-3600 or 911 in case of an emergency.

Fertilizer – Fertilizer that contains herbicides must be held until a HHW collection. Fifty pounds or less of granular fertilizer can be put in a paper bag and placed in your green trash cart or held until a collection.

Fire extinguishers – Contact a fire extinguisher company or hold for a HHW collection.

Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) – Take fluorescent tubes to the Electronic Recycling Center, 1306 Versailles Rd. Take CFLs to any Home Depot or Lowe’s location. Fluorescent lights are accepted at HHW collection events.

Freon tanks – Contact Environmental Recycling at (859) 293-0167.

Fungicides – Hold for a HHW event

Gas and gas tanks – Empty gas tanks are accepted at the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station. Hold gas for a HHW collection event.

Helium tanks – Return to the vendor or hold for a HHW collection.

Hydraulic fluid – Hold for a HHW event

Lacquer – Hold for a HHW event

Medication – Lexington Police’s main office and the Fayette County Sheriff's office each have a container where you can dispose of old medicines. Occasionally, the police also hold a Med Toss event. 

Mercury – Hold for a HHW event

Motor oil and filters – Used motor oil must be recycled. It cannot be poured on the ground, down the drain or into the storm sewer. Oil cannot be disposed in the trash, but oil filters can be disposed in your green trash cart if a hole has been punched in the bottom and all of the oil has been drained out. Motor oil and filters are accepted at HHW collection events. 

The following locations accept used motor oil and filters at no charge:

Walmart stores with Tire and Lube Express Centers

Exhaust Pro at 1312 Winchester Road, 1330 Versailles Road and 3620 Boston Road

First Stop Auto Care at 600 Delzan Plaza

Call the store before you take your used motor oil there. Market conditions sometimes prevent a store from accepting used oil.     

Needles – Place used needles inside a coffee can, seal it so it won't come open, and then dispose of the can with your household trash.

Paint and polyurethane – Paint and polyurethane are accepted at HHW collection events. Other disposal methods are available.

• Lead paint should be held for a HHW event.
• Donate latex paint to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
• Harden small amounts of paint and polyurethane with kitty litter, dirt or sawdust. Set the container beside your green trash cart on your regular collection day with the lid loosely attached.
• Empty spray paint cans, and place in blue recycling bin.

Paint thinner – Hold for a HHW event

Pepper spray – Empty the can, double-bag it, and place it in your green trash cart. Pepper spray is accepted at HHW collection events.

Pesticides – Hold for a HHW collection event. Agricultural pesticides can be disposed through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, (800) 205-6543.

Propane tanks – Do NOT place in your blue recycling cart. Take to the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station to dispose of for a fee, or hold for a HHW collection event.

Sealer, roofing tar, and driveway sealer – Solidify with absorbent material such as kitty litter, sawdust, dirt, etc. Solidified driveway sealer may be taken to the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station for a fee. These items are accepted at HHW collection events.

Swimming pool chemicals – Coordinate disposal with the manufacturer, or hold for a HHW collection event.

Transmission fluid – Hold for a HHW event