Household Chemical Waste Depot

  • The Household Chemical Waste (HCW) Depot is located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and North Service Road East, at the same location as the Public Drop Off Depot.

Proper Disposal

  • Hazardous waste should never be thrown in the garbage or flushed down the sink, toilet, or storm sewer. Just drop it off at the Household Chemical Waste building at 3560 North Service Road East. Free for residential customers.

Dropping Off at the Depot

Free for Residential Customers:

Most of these products can be dropped off free of charge for residential customers only. Customers are restricted to two 20-litre pails (40 litres in total) of household chemical waste (for example, paint, solvent, stain, adhesives, etc.) for any one trip. Customers with more than two 20-litre pails will be considered commercial and will be billed accordingly. Commercial customers are assessed a fee. Please call the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority at 1-800-563-3377 for commercial fees. 

  • Paint: latex paint, paint additives, paint strippers, paint thinners, primers, stains, turpentine, varnish and shellac 
  • Fuels: gasoline (only gasoline storage containers 10 litres and under will be decanted), lighter fluid, kerosene, propane tanks and cylinders 
  • Home repair: pool chemicals, epoxies, glues, adhesives, driveway sealer, cleaners
  • Pesticides: fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, weed killers
  • Automotive: antifreeze, brake fluid, motor oil, batteries
  • Miscellaneous: thermometers, thermostats, pool chemicals, batteries, wood preservatives, fire extinguishers, aerosols
  • Fluorescent/LED light bulbs: no charge for residential customers (under 20 bulbs). You must call ahead if bringing in large quantities or if you are a commercial customer (fees apply). Call 1-800-563-3377.
  • Miscellaneous light bulbs: no charge for residential customers. The HCW building takes various varieties of light bulbs. If you are unsure, please call 1-800-563-3377.
  • Light fixtures, light fixtures with ballasts, and ballasts: customers are restricted to two light fixtures on any one trip. Customers bringing more than two light fixtures on any one trip will be considered commercial and will be billed accordingly. 
  • PCB ballasts: The Household Chemical Waste Depot does not accept ballast with PCB. Customers should contact the Ministry of the Environment for disposal options.
  • Acetylene tanks: The Household Chemical Waste Depot does not accept acetylene tanks. Take them back to where you purchased them.

Commercial Customers:

Prior to attending the site, you must contact the facility at 1-800-563-3377 to determine the type, quantity and cost for materials.

This facility is managed by the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA). All comments and/or suggestions regarding the facility and/or fees should be forwarded to:

  • Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority
    • Phone: 1-800-563-3377
    • Fax: 519-776-6370
    • Website: www.ewswa.org
    • Email: info@ewswa.org 
    • Address: 360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 211, Essex, Ontario, Canada, N8M 3G4.

For general information, contact 311. For detailed inquiries, contact the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority.