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Special Trash and Hazardous Waste
Schedule a Removal of Bulky Items and Electronic Waste
Republic Services provides Brea residents with three (3) free bulky item pick ups (up to 20 items per pickup) a year and no limit for E-Waste pickups. Brea residents can schedule the removal of these items by calling Republic Services at 714-238-2444.
It is illegal to dump your trash of any kind into commercial bins at retail, office, or industrial areas. This is a misdemeanor violation and fines can range to $15,000 and punishment of up to six months in jail. Plan for proper and responsible disposal of any items you have purchased when they have reached the end of their usefulness.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Household Hazardous Waste CANNOT be Placed in the Trash! You must properly dispose of these items via a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC).
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers
The County of Orange has several Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers available to Orange County residents ONLY upon proof of residency. Household hazardous waste is not accepted from businesses, schools, government agencies, churches, and non-profit organizations. The centers are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Collection centers are closed on rainy days and major holidays.
Transporting Household Hazardous Waste
Caution should be used when transporting household hazardous waste to a collection center due to the potential for partial exposure to the waste. Observe the following guidelines:
- A maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds may be brought in per vehicle per visit
- Household Hazardous Waste must be in its original container (except motor oil or antifreeze)
- Containers will not be returned.
- All containers must be sturdy, non-leaking, and protected from breakage.
- Containers must have lids.
- Do NOT mix or combine Household Hazardous Waste. (Exception: consolidate similar paints.)
- Dry out empty cans and discard in regular trash.
- Do NOT mix oil base with latex paint.
Household Hazardous Waste Accepted:
Universal Waste/E-Waste:
For additional information/locations to find where to recycle E-Waste: CalRecycle E-Waste Map
Other Hazardous Items:
Household Hazardous Waste NOT Accepted:
Collection Center Locations:
- Anaheim Regional Collection Center
- Huntington Beach Regional Collection Center
- San Juan Capistrano Regional Collection Center
- Irvine Regional Collection Center
For additional information call:
911 Household Hazardous Materials Emergencies
- 714-834-4000 Orange County Waste & Recycling (Hazardous Household Waste)
- 714-433-6000 Health Care Agency Environmental Health
- 916-341-6199 California Integrated Waste Management Board Recycling Coordinator (SARC@calrecycle.ca.gov)
- 800-222-1222 Poison Control Hotline /2-1-1 OC
- 800-69-TOXIC Waste Alert to report illegal dumping
Sharps Disposal
How to Dispose Sharps Safely & Legally
In California, it is illegal to place containers of used sharps (needles, syringes, lancets, auto injectors, infusion sets, connection needles) to household trash. Please place them in a strong plastic containers like an empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle, seal it with duct tape and label "DO NOT RECYCLE" and bring it to the Anaheim HHW Center located at 1071 N Blue Gum St. This service is offered to OC residents at no charge. For more information, visit CalRecycle's webpage or SafeNeedleDisposal.org.
To order a free sharps waste container with mail-back materials, visit sharpstakebackcalifornia.org or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK or (844) 482-5322. Visit the CalRecycle webpage for more information.
Brea's franchise waste hauler, Republic Services, offers "Sharps Disposal Mail-Back Kits" at extra charges. To purchase, you can visit their website at RepublicSharps.com.
Medication Disposal
When left with unused, expired drugs and medications, be sure you dispose of them properly to ensure they don't harm others or the environment. The best way to dispose of your expired, unwanted or unused medicines is through a drug take back program.
Most pharmacies take back unused or expired medications. To find disposal drop-off locations or obtain mail-back supplies, visit medtakebackcalifornia.org or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK or (844) 482-5322. Visit the CalRecycle webpage for more information.
Controlled Substance Disposal Locations Search