Secure Chemicals Before the Storms

Published on September 29, 2025

Now is a great time to properly safeguard chemicals in your home and storage spaces. Families usually store chemicals, such as fertilizers, paints, automotive fluids, pesticides and cleaners in garages, sheds, kitchens and bathrooms. If a tropical storm or hurricane’s damaging rain were to flood your home and break these containers, dangerous chemicals would be introduced into the environment, endangering public health, wildlife and our ecosystem.

Take some time to double check that the containers are sealed properly and are stored on higher shelves in your home. If you wish to get rid of chemicals you don’t use anymore, take them to the Household Hazardous Waste Center, operated by Pinellas County Utilities. Simply drop off your hazardous chemicals for free at 2855 109th Ave N., St. Petersburg, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday or the first and third Saturday of each month. To learn more, call (727) 464-7500

Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste Center

Pinellas County's Household Hazardous Waste Center, or HHW Center, cannot accept automotive/marine batteries, biological/infectious waste, empty paint cans, explosives, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, radioactive waste, electronics or smoke detectors. Call (727) 464-7500 for more information about the facility.

The HHW Center and Swap Shop:

• New days of operation will be Tuesday through Friday, and the first and third Saturday of each month.
• Operating hours at the HHW center will remain the same: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Operating hours at the Swap Shop will remain the same: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Household Chemical Collection Events:

• Pinellas County hosts Household Chemical Collection events regularly throughout the year at Household Hazardous Waste North (HHW North), located at 29582 U.S. Highway 19 North in Clearwater, to better serve the residents of Pinellas County.
• HHW North events now occur twice a month, on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, except for November and December.

If you bring chemicals to either the Household Hazardous Waste Center or chemical collection event, remember:

• Don’t mix chemicals together.
• Keep products in original labeled containers, if possible.
• Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags and transport in boxes with newspaper.
• Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of vehicle away from passenger.
• Electronics without rechargeable batteries are no longer recycled at this facility and should go in your trash. Use the Where Does it Go? Search Tool to find electronics disposal options for electronics with rechargeable batteries.

Disposal Details

Household Hazardous Waste Calendar

Where Does It Go? Search Tool