Hazardous Waste Management

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)is accepted free of charge from residential users at the Knott Landfill Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility operates on Fridays and Saturdays 9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. except on federal holidays. Rural Transfer Stations do not accept hazardous waste. Special collection events will be planned throughout the year at Rural sites. Please check the Solid Waste Calendar for dates. 

The Hazardous Waste Facility at Knott Landfill accepts a wide variety of hazardous waste. Waste should be secured in your vehicle and delivered in non-leaking container. Common wastes accepted include; paints & stains, solvents, fuels, antifreeze, aerosols, cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, propane tanks, pool & spa chemicals, thermometers, mercury thermostats & switches, etc.

Business Hazardous Waste is also accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facility for  "Very Small Quantity Generators" by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Businesses must pre-register by completing the Buisness Application/Registration form to participate. Fees are charged based on the type of waste accepted.  Please contact the Facility Supervisor to determine if you qualify and to schedule an appointment. 

Common Hazardous Waste Materials

• Antifreeze:  Antifreeze from residential sources is accepted free of charge through the Hazardous Waste Program. Antifreeze should not be mixed with oil. Please keep in a separate container for disposal.  Antifreeze is also accepted for a fee at the Knott Landfill Recycling Center.  Call Deschutes Recycling at (541) 388-1910 for pricing.
   
• Asbestos:  Asbestos containing material (ACM) is accepted at Knott Landfill. Solid Waste Department approval is required at least 24 hours prior to delivery. There ais special documentation, handling and packaging requirements for ACM, and requirements vary, depending on the form and condition of the ACM.  Advisories and fact sheets on asbestos regulations, safety, handling and other related topics can be found at the DEQ website.
  • A DEQ ASN-4 form and a Special Waste Application must be submitted to specialwaste@deschutes.org and approved prior to scheduling delivery of asbestos delivery to Knott Landfill.  There is a $50.00 charge per application fee. The disposal rate for ACM is $0.06/pound, with a minimum charge of $125.00. 
     
• Lead Acid Batteries:  Lead Acid batteries are accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill Recycling Center, the Hazardous Waste Facility and at all Deschutes County Transfer Stations.
   
• Batteries:  Single-use alkaline dry cell batteries (flashlight batteries, etc) can be disposed of in the regular garbage as they do not contain regulated hazardous materials.  
  • NiCad, Lithium-Ion from tools, cell phones, cameras, and button cell batteries can be recycled at all Deschutes County Transfer Stations and many major tool retailers.  They are also accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facility.
     
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs/Fluorescent Tubes Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes contain small amounts of mercury and cannot be disposed od as regular garbage. They are accepted at all of the Transfer Stations as well as the Hazardous Waste Facility. Other bulbs including LED and incandescent to not contain mercury and can be disposed of as regular garbage. 
   
• Electronic Waste Disposal:  Visit the Electronic Waste Recycling page for household and business electronic waste recycling and disposal.
   
• Gasoline and Diesel Fuel:  Accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facility only. 

• Motor Oil:  Up to 5 gallons of used motor oil from residential sources is accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill Recycling Center and all County Transfer Stations. More than 5 gallons is accepted at the Hazardous Waste facility only. Please keep motor oil and antifreeze in separate containers for disposal. 
   
• Paint:  Up to 10 containers of latex and oil-based paints and stains from residential users are accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill Recycling Center.  If the paint is dried, remove the container lid and dispose of the dried paint and container as regular garbage. You can also visit the Oregon PaintCare website for other recycling drop off locations.
  • The Hazardous Waste Facility will accept quantities over 10 containers from households as well as other paint related items including aerosols paint thinner and epoxy, etc.
     
• Petroleum Contaminated Soil:  For petroleum contaminated soil, a Special Waste Disposal Application is required to be submitted with the appropriate laboratory analytical reports and approved prior to scheduling delivery to Knott Landfill. There is a $50.00 charge per application fee. The disposal rate for contaminated soil is $0.0225/lbs.
   

• Pharmaceuticals & Medicines from Households:  Prescription medications are not accepted at any Deschutes Country Transfer Stations. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (541-388-6655) and the Bend Police Department (541-322-2960) accept prescription medications at their main offices. Many pharmacies as well as the St. Charles Hospital main entrance also offer drop off locations. For a full list of locations, visit medtakebackoregon.org. Additionally, the City of Bend offers free at-home drug disposal pouches available at any of these locations:

  • City of Bend Water Services Department: Public Works Campus Headquarters, 21051 NE Talus Place, Bend, OR 9770

  • City of Bend Water Services Billing Office: 639 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, OR 97703

  • City of Bend Police Department Lobby: 555 NE 15th Street, Bend, OR 97701

• Sharps from Households:  Medical sharps is accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill scale house or the transfer stations in Sisters, Redmond and La Pine. The sharps must be in a sealed leak-proof, puncture-proof metal or plastic container (no glass), and must be labeled, "Sharps."