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Halifax household special waste: depot, materials and drop-off rules
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Take household chemicals to Halifax’s special-waste depot at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive on a scheduled operating Saturday. Business waste, sharps and many other items need separate routes.
Key information
Take household chemicals to Halifax’s special-waste depot at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive on a scheduled operating Saturday. Business waste, sharps and many other items need separate routes.
On this page
At a glance
- Permanent depot location, hours and access
The permanent Household Special Waste depot is at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive in Bayers Lake.
- Remaining published 2026 Saturday dates
As checked October 14, the remaining published open dates are October 17, 24 and 31; November 7, 21 and 28; and December 5, 12 and 19.
- Accepted materials and important exceptions
The tables retain every named accepted material group and exclusion on the current city page.
Sources: Household special waste
Permanent depot location, hours and access
The permanent Household Special Waste depot is at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive in Bayers Lake. It is on the recycling-facility property but operates as a separate service with a certified contractor. Drop off only while trained staff are present on a scheduled operating day.
The normal time is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on most Saturdays. It closes when recycling collection shifts to Saturday because of a holiday or weather. The city says the permanent site cannot accommodate people arriving on foot or by bicycle for safety reasons. Call 311 about service questions.
Sources: Household special waste
Remaining published 2026 Saturday dates
As checked October 14, the remaining published open dates are October 17, 24 and 31; November 7, 21 and 28; and December 5, 12 and 19. The listed closures are November 14 and December 26. Weather-related collection changes can alter those plans, so check before travelling.
Mobile community events run between May and October as dates are confirmed. Their stated hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Use the live event schedule rather than assuming the permanent depot’s Saturday list applies to a mobile stop.
Sources: Household special waste
Accepted materials and important exceptions
The tables retain every named accepted material group and exclusion on the current city page. Battery weight matters: household batteries under 5 kg are accepted, including damaged lithium batteries during scheduled operations. Batteries over 5 kg go through the linked battery-recycling route. Never put batteries in garbage or recycling.
Paint is accepted, including empty paint cans and paint aerosols, but brushes and rollers belong in regular garbage. Medications are listed, but sharps are not. PCB-containing ballasts must be registered through 311 before delivery to the permanent depot and are not accepted at mobile events.
Sources: Household special waste
Mobile gasoline containers, household scope and safe storage
At mobile events, gasoline cannot be emptied out of a jerry can and the can will not be returned. The permanent depot can accommodate someone who wants the can back. Do not arrive at a mobile event expecting a different container-handling process.
Store products in original containers, retain safety information and follow label instructions. Keep them away from children and pets and check for leaks. The municipal source links to Health Canada’s detailed storage advice. Do not mix unknown products or improvise a disposal route.
The service is for chemicals generated at home. Commercial, industrial, institutional and business deliveries are turned away and need a private hazardous-materials handler. The depot is not a general waste transfer station.
Sources: Household special waste
All accepted material groups named by the city
| Material | Important condition |
|---|---|
| Household batteries under 5 kg | Single-use, rechargeable and lithium batteries; never put them in curbside waste |
| Damaged lithium batteries under 5 kg | Accepted on scheduled operating days |
| Vape batteries and devices | Remove cartridges or tanks; single-use all-in-one vape devices are also listed |
| Paint and paint containers | Leftover paint, paint aerosols, empty paint cans and empty paint aerosols |
| Corrosive cleaners | Household chemical products |
| Pesticides and herbicides | Household quantities |
| Gasoline | Mobile-event jerry cans are not returned; use permanent depot if you want the can back |
| Used motor oil | Household source |
| Solvents and thinners | Household source |
| Medications | Sharps are not accepted |
| Hazardous aerosol cans | Aerosols containing hazardous substances |
| Propane and butane cylinders | BBQ tanks and small camp-stove or torch cylinders |
| Lightbulbs | Listed in accepted household special waste |
| Residential fire extinguishers | Empty extinguishers up to 5 lb may instead go in garbage |
| Unused concrete or cement mix powder | Leftover residential product |
| Mercury-containing products | Thermostats, household thermometers and button-cell batteries |
| PCB-containing ballasts | Call 311 to register first; permanent depot only |
Sources: Household special waste
Materials not accepted at the HSW depot
| Material | Separate route or restriction |
|---|---|
| Batteries over 5 kg | Use the linked battery-recycling program, including car/lead-acid batteries |
| Garbage, recycling or cardboard | Use the normal collection or recycling stream |
| Cooking oil | Not accepted by HSW |
| Oil tanks | Use a professional for draining; ask installer or scrapyard about the empty tank |
| Appliances and electronics | Use the appropriate electronics or appliance program |
| Refrigerant-containing appliances | Request refrigerant removal through the municipal service |
| Medical waste and sharps | Sharps in approved containers can be returned to local pharmacies |
| Radioactive or asbestos waste | Contact Nova Scotia Environment |
| Cylinders with unknown contents | Contact supplier/manufacturer or Nova Scotia Environment |
| Explosives, ammunition, fireworks and flares | Police/RCMP for ammunition; supplier for flare disposal |
| Construction and demolition debris | Use Halifax C&D |
| Commercial, industrial, business or institutional waste | Arrange a private hazardous-material handler |
Sources: Household special waste
Remaining published 2026 permanent-depot dates
| Month | Open Saturdays | Listed closed Saturdays |
|---|---|---|
| October after October 14 | 17, 24, 31 | None remaining in published calendar |
| November | 7, 21, 28 | 14 |
| December | 5, 12, 19 | 26 |
Sources: Household special waste
Permanent Household Special Waste depot
Household Special Waste depot
20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada
A staffed household chemical-waste service operating on selected Saturdays. This is separate from the recycling facility and does not accept business waste.
- Usual staffed hours
- Scheduled Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Questions
- 311
- Access limit
- No pedestrian walk-ups or cyclists
Sources: Household special waste
Sources: Household special waste
Questions and answers
Where is Halifax’s permanent household special-waste depot?
20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake, on the recycling-facility property but operated separately.
Source: Household special waste
Is it open every Saturday?
No. It opens most scheduled Saturdays, normally 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with holiday and weather-related exceptions.
Source: Household special waste
Can I walk or cycle into the permanent depot?
The city says pedestrian walk-ups and cyclists cannot be accommodated there for safety reasons.
Source: Household special waste
Can a business use the household depot?
No. Business, commercial, industrial and institutional waste is not accepted.
Source: Household special waste
Are household batteries accepted?
Batteries weighing less than 5 kg are listed, including single-use, rechargeable and lithium batteries. Do not put them in curbside garbage or recycling.
Source: Household special waste
What about a car battery or another battery over 5 kg?
Use the linked battery-recycling program. The HSW depot does not accept batteries over 5 kg.
Source: Household special waste
Can I bring used needles with medications?
No. Sharps and medical waste are not accepted. The city directs sharps in suitable containers to local pharmacies.
Source: Household special waste
Will I get my gasoline jerry can back at a mobile event?
No. The city says mobile events cannot decant gasoline and will not return the can. Use the permanent depot if you want the can back.
Source: Household special waste
Do I need to register PCB-containing ballasts?
Yes. Call 311 before bringing them to the permanent depot. They are not accepted at mobile events.
Source: Household special waste
Are empty paint cans and paint brushes handled the same way?
No. Empty paint cans and paint aerosols are accepted at HSW, while brushes and rollers go in regular garbage.
Source: Household special waste
Official sources and next steps
Sources: Household special waste