A-Z Guide to Waste Disposal & Recycling (original) (raw)

Click here to visit the Solid Waste Authority's website and use their interactive tool to determine the proper way to dispose of your waste and recycle items: Is This Recyclable?

The following is a list of common household items and how to dispose of them. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our Sanitation Division at (561) 822-2075 during work hours, after hours please call (561) 822-2222 or email publicworks@wpb.org.

A

Aerosol Cans – Empty cans be placed with regular household garbage. If cans have liquid in them it is considered hazardous waste. Do not dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority at 561-640-4000 or www.swa.org.
Air Conditioner (Home) – Can be placed at curbside on your bulk pickup day.
Air Conditioners (Window Unit) – Also see “white goods” – Donate or sell (if possible). To dispose, remove the vent cover(s) ONLY, wrap the cords securely and place at the curb for pickup.
Aluminum Cans – Empty cans can be recycled in blue bin or placed with regular garbage.
Animals (Dead) (Domestic or Wild) – Please call Customer Service to schedule a pickup, (561) 822-2075.
Animal Waste – Pick up waste in appropriate disposal bag and place in garbage bin. NOTE: Animal waste is hazardous to humans and other pets, please dispose of your pet’s waste appropriately.
Antifreeze – This is hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Appliances – See “White Goods” – The City of West Palm Beach will pick up appliances from single family homes on your scheduled bulk pick up day. Please do not place more than three appliances one time, per week. Contact Solid Waste Authority for additional disposal options. Visit our “LINKS” page for additional resources for recycling appliances.
Asbestos – This is hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.

B

Batteries (alkaline) – Alkaline batteries are safe to dispose of with the regular garbage.
Batteries (button cell) – Button cell batteries are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Batteries (rechargeable) – Rechargeable batteries are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Batteries (vehicle) – Vehicle batteries are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Bicycles – Place bicycles at curbside on your regular scheduled bulk pickup day. Sell or donate to a local charity.
Boats – The City of West Palm Beach does not pick up boats - with or without motor. Donate if possible to a charity. For additional information on boats, contact Solid Waste Authority (561) 640-4000 or visit their website at www.swa.org.
Books – Share, sell or donate if possible or place in yellow recycle bin.
Boxes – Boxes must be flattened and put in the yellow recycle bin, no larger than 3’ x 3’. There are specific conditions related to disposing of numerous boxes. Please call Customer Service at (561) 822-2075 for additional information.
Box Springs – No more than three box springs can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day.
Building / Demolition Materials – (Home Interior). Special pickup is required. Removal and /or replacement of internal and external materials such as doors, cabinets, toilets and sinks, or fencing is considered construction related items. Call customer service (561) 822-2075.
Note: If a contractor does the work, they are responsible for disposing of the materials.
Bulk Items – Call customer service to schedule bulk items pick up if there are more than three items.
Bullets – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular trash. Contact the local Police Department – Please Call First. Non-emergency phone is (561) 822-1900.

C

Cardboard – Recycle or special pick up. Paid service. Call Customer Service for more information.
Carpet / Carpet Pad – For curbside bulk pick up, the carpet and pad must be rolled up into four feet length or less. Place no more than five rolls at curb at one time.
Chairs – No more than three chairs can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day.
Chemicals – HAZARDOUS: do not dispose in regular garbage. Contact www.swa.org.
Christmas Trees – Remove lights and decorations, then place at curbside for pick-up on your regular yard waste pick up day.
Clothing – Place clothing (bagged) in regular garbage can. For larger amounts of clothing, place in bags and place at curb on your scheduled bulk pick up day. NOTE: Only four bags at a time. Other options are to share or donate.
Computers – Place at curbside on your regular schedule bulk pickup day. You can also contact Solid Waste Authority for additional disposal options, at (561) 640-4000 or visit www.swa.org
Construction Related Items – Special pickup. Please call Customer Service for information on fees for this service at (561) 822-2075.
Note: If a contractor does the work, they are responsible for disposing of the materials.
Cooking Oil – NEVER pour cooking oil down the drain. Cooking oil will clog and damage your drains. Allow the used cooking oil to cool. Do not mix cooking oil with any other liquids or products. Carefully pour the used, cooled cooking oil into a large, sturdy plastic or wax-coated leak proof container, such as the original oil container or a juice carton. Container should be no larger than 5-gallons in size. Cap the container so it is secure. Store the container in a cool, safe location until it is full. Once the container is full, bring it to a Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling drop. Visit the website at www.swa.org or call (561) 640-4000 for additional information.

D

Dishwasher – See “White Goods” – Place at curbside on your regular scheduled bulk pickup day. Donate or sell. Please remove door before placing at curb.
Documents / Records / Office Paper – Recycle in yellow bin, shred or place in garbage bin. Contact a paper shredding service.
Doors – There is a fee for this service. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information 561-822-2075.
Dresser – Up to three dressers can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day.
Dryer – See “White Goods” – Place at curbside on your regular scheduled bulk pickup day. Donate or sell. Please remove door before placing at curb.
DVD / Videotapes – Place in garbage. Donate, sell or trade.

E

E-Scrap – Small electronic devices. Defined as discarded computers, office electronics, radios, entertainment equipment, mobile phones, television sets, VCR, stereo systems, etc.
Electronics (E-scrap) – Can be placed at curbside on regular bulk pickup day. Small electronics can be placed in garbage can. Visit our “USEFUL LINKS” page for additional resources.
Entertainment Units – Can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Explosives – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Call the police using the non-emergency phone at (561) 822-1900.

F

Fence – There is a fee for this service. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information (561) 822-2075.
Fire Extinguishers – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority or local fire extinguisher company.
Fireworks – These are hazardous waste. Do not dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Flags (US Flags) – There are certain guidelines for proper disposal of the American flag. American flags should not be placed in regular garbage. Donate to a local organization for appropriate disposal and ceremony.
Flare and Flare Guns (Marine, Automotive) – These are hazardous waste. Do not dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Fluorescent Ballasts and Bulbs – These are hazardous waste. Do not dispose with regular trash. Do not crush or break bulbs or you could be exposed to mercury vapor. Call Solid Waste Authority (561) 640-4000 or visit www.swa.org.
Food – Place food items in securely tied bags then place in garbage bin.
Freezer – See “White Goods” – can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day. Please remove door before placing at curb.
Fuel – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Fuel Tanks – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Furniture – Only three pieces of furniture can be placed curbside at one time. If you have more than three items please call Customer Service at (561) 822-2075 for “special pickup” (This is a paid service).

G

Gas Cans – Empty cans are not hazardous and can be placed in regular garbage bin for pick up.
Glass – Bottles, jars, windows, doors mirror, table top, etc. Glass bottles and jars can be placed in the blue bin or regular garbage can. Windows and doors must be scheduled as paid special pickup. Note: If glass is broken, please place in box and clearly mark “BROKEN GLASS” on box. If table tops or mirrors break, customer MUST clean up broken glass, place in secure container and place at curbside for pickup.
Guns & Ammunition – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Call the non-emergency police number at (561) 822-1900.

H

Hair – Donate human hair to charity. Visit our “USEFUL LINKS” page for additional information.
Hazardous Waste – See our page on “Hazardous Waste” if you have anything that is hazardous or you think it is hazardous. Call Customer Service at (561) 822-2075, before you discard it. You can also visit the Solid Waste Authority at www.swa.org or call (561) 640-4000 for additional information.
Headboard – Can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Household Goods–Can be placed in garbage can as appropriate.
Junk Mail– Recycle in yellow recycle bin. Make sure your personal information is disposed of properly to prevent identity theft. Visit our “USEFUL LINKS” page on available shredding services in the area.

K

Kitchen Cabinets – There is a fee for picking up cabinets. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information (561) 822-2075.

L

Lamps – Can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Latex Paint – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. If there is paint in the can it CANNOT be placed with regular garbage. Empty, dry cans are safe to dispose of. Contact Solid Waste Authority for additional information.
Lawn Mowers – Place at curbside on your regular scheduled bulk pickup day. Donate or recycle. Do not place in garbage can. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Light Bulbs - Incandescent – Wrap securely and disposed of in regular trash.
Light Bulbs - Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL or Energy Efficient) – These are hazardous waste. They contain components that can harm the environment. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Light Bulbs - Fluorescent Tube – These are hazardous waste. They contain components that can harm the environment. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Light Bulbs - LED – These are hazardous waste. They contain components that can harm the environment. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.

M

Magazines – Donate. Place in yellow recycle bin. Call Waste Management at (561) 547-4000.
Mattress – No more than three mattresses can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day.
Medical Waste – These are bio-medical hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Please call a permitted transporter or treatment facility. A more comprehensive list is available on the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical.
Medication – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. DO NOT flush down toilet. Waste water treatment facilities are not designed to treat medications. Medications can pass through the treatment facility and harm plants or fish. Some medications are accepted at Solid Waste Authority; please call for more information and further clarification – (561) 640-4000 or visit www.swa.org.
Metal (scrap) – Sell to a metal recycler in your area.
Motor Oil – This is hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority www.swa.org or call (561) 640-4000.
Musical Instruments – Regardless of size, place at curb on your regular scheduled bulk pick. Share or donate.

N

Needles – (Hypodermic) These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Palm Beach County Health Department at (561) 514-5300. Visit our “USEFUL LINKS” page for additional information.
Newspaper – Place in yellow recycle bin to recycle or put in regular garbage can.
Nightstand – Up to three can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day.

O

Oil – Do not pour any type of oils down your household drains. Oil presents a serious problem for plumbing systems as it will turn solid and eventually clog your drains. Contact Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling drop, visit the website at www.swa.org or call (561) 640-4000 for additional information.
Oil Paint – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Empty, dry cans are safe to dispose in regular trash. Contact Solid Waste Authority for additional information and other options.

P

Packing Peanuts – Donate to a packing/mailing store.
Paint Thinner – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Paper – Reuse or recycle in yellow bin or place in garbage can.
Paper Shopping Bags – Reuse or recycle in yellow bin or place in garbage can.
Pesticides – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Pet Supplies – Donate useable items or place small items in regular garbage bin.
Phone – (Mobile or Home) – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Phone Book – Place in yellow recycle bin or regular garbage can.
Piano – Place at curb on regular scheduled bulk item pickup day.
Plastic Bags – Reuse, or recycle at local grocery store or retailer participating in a recycling program or place in regular garbage can.
Plastic Bottles – Reuse or place in blue recycle bin or regular garbage can.
Plastic Plant Containers – Re-use, share with friends or donate to local nursery.
Pool & Spa Chemicals – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Printer Cartridges – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact local retailers for information on recycling options.
Propane Tanks – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.

R

Refrigerator – See “White Goods” – Can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day. Donate or sell if possible. Please remove doors before placing at curb.

S

School Supplies – Share or donate. Visit our “useful links” page for additional information.
Sewage - (RAW) – Raw sewage is hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact a local company for additional options.
Sinks – There is a fee for picking up sinks. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information (561) 822-2075.
Smoke Detectors – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Never break open a smoke detector. Contact Solid Waste Authority or call (561) 640-4000 for additional information.
Sofa – Can be put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Sports Equipment – Reuse, share, trade or donate. Visit our “useful links” page for additional information.
Steel Cans – Reuse or recycle in blue recycle bin. Please rinse cans; you do not need to remove labels. Cans can also be placed in your regular garbage can.
Stereo – Put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Syringes – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact the local Health Department at (561) 514-5300 for additional information and resources on proper syringe disposal.

T

Table – Put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Tar – These are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority.
Television – Put out for pickup on your regular bulk pickup day
Thermometer / Thermostat – These are hazardous waste. Do not dispose with regular garbage. Contact Solid Waste Authority. Thermometer or thermostats that do not contain mercury can be disposed of in regular trash.
Tires – Do not dispose with regular garbage. There is a cost for removal and disposal of tires. Contact local retailers or Solid Waste Authority for additional information and disposal options.
Toilets – There is a fee for this service. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information (561) 822-2075.
Toys – Share or donate (in good condition). Place in large garbage bag as one (1) bulk item.
Trees – May be disposed of as yard waste. NOTE: see our information on “Amnesty Days” which occurs annually in May. To report a fallen tree call Customer Service at (561) 822-2075. After hours please call our 24 hour number at (561) 822-2222.

V

Vehicles – Trade, sell or donate to a dealer, individual or charity. Solid Waste will accept RV vehicles. Call for more information (561) 640-4000.

W

Washing Machine – See “White Goods” – Donate or sell. Place at curb as one bulk item. Remove doors.
Water Heater – See “White Goods” – Donate or sell. Place at curb as one bulk item. Remove doors.
Windows – There is a fee for this service. Please call customer service to coordinate a pick up, and for additional information (561) 822-2075.
White Goods – Gas or electric appliances such as stoves, refrigerator, air conditioners, dishwasher, washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters etc. Place no more than three items at curb on regular schedule bulk pick up day.

Y

Yard Waste – See our section on “Yard Waste & Bulk” for additional information. Please, one pile only! Place yard waste in front of your home in a pile no larger than 4' x 4' x 18'. Landscapers, lawn services & tree trimmers must remove their own debris.