Household Hazardous Waste Program
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is leftover household products that are flammable, corrosive, reactive or poisonous. It also includes some liquid products that should not be disposed of in the garbage or down the drain.
Important Notice
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) HHW Program DOES NOT accept materials collected through B.C.'s Provincial HHW recycling programs. These programs collect only recyclable HHW materials, including:
- Paints and stains
- Flammable liquids and gasoline
- Pesticides (labelled with a skull and crossbones and "domestic")
- Used oil and antifreeze
- Batteries
- Medications
Take these materials to participating locations at no additional charge. Find out where.
Schedule an HHW Drop-Off
HHW is not accepted without an appointment as it requires special handling by a qualified technician. Unscheduled loads will be rejected.
How to schedule an appointment
- HHW drop-offs are by appointment only.
- To book an appointment, email hhw [at] rdn.bc.ca with the following information:
- The name of the product(s) you wish to dispose of and include photos for quick and easy processing.
- Your name and contact information, including phone number.
- Name of the facility you would like to drop your materials off at (Church Road Transfer Station or Regional Landfill).
- After we receive your email containing all the requested information, we will schedule your appointment and issue you a drop code. This code can be displayed to the facilities staff upon arrival.
- Please allow at least one week to process your request.
Where can I drop off my items?
Approved items can be dropped off at one of the following RDN facilities, by appointment only:
- Church Road Transfer Station - 860 Church Rd., Parksville, BC
- Regional Landfill - 1105 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo, BC
What HHW items does the RDN take?
To find out whether your household hazardous waste items are accepted by the RDN HHW Program, visit our Accepted and Prohibited Items page or enter the name of your item in the “What Goes Where Tool” below. The tool will help you with disposal options and program eligibility.
Program Fees and Surcharges
| Category | 0 - 25 kg | Over 25 kg |
| HHW | $10 (flat rate) | $0.30/kg |
| Surcharge for Special HHW* | $20 | |
| Surcharge per pressurized cylinder, non-refillable | $10 | |
| Surcharge per pressurized cylinder, refillable | $50 | |
| Surcharge for loads containing unknown items | $5 |
*Special HHW includes highly toxic materials that require special handling and disposal.