Pinellas residents can drop off chemicals, gas and electronics for free

While spring cleaning this season, residents are encouraged to use Pinellas County’s free resources to properly and safely dispose of their unwanted, expired or broken household electronics and chemicals. There are two convenient options residents can choose.

The Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center (HEC3) offers residents the convenience of weekday and Saturday hours. The center is open Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is located at 2855 109th Ave. N., in St. Petersburg.

Residents can drop off electronics such as cell phones, computers, TVs, power supplies, and monitors. Chemical items accepted include automotive fluids, rechargeable batteries, fuel, paint, cleaning supplies, pesticides and fluorescent bulbs, along with other mercury-containing devices.

In addition, hurricane season starts on June 1st and now is the time for residents to dispose of old generator fuel at the HEC3. The shelf-life of gasoline is three to six months and up to one year for diesel fuel. Residents are encouraged to add this task to their annual hurricane preparations.

When preparing materials to bring to the HEC3, residents should not mix chemicals together or place them in dark plastic bags, and should keep products in original, labeled containers, if possible. Individual batteries should be placed in separate plastic bags or have terminals covered with heavy tape to prevent short-circuits.

Items not accepted include air conditioning units and other large appliances, microwaves, printers, radioactive, biological or infectious waste, fire extinguishers, tires and propane tanks larger than one pound. Disposal options for hundreds of items can be found in the Where Does it Go? Search Tool.

The Pinellas County Department of Solid Waste also offers Mobile Collection events on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at locations around the county. The HEC3 and Mobile Collection events are only available to Pinellas County residents* for the collection of unwanted household electronics and chemicals.

Scheduled events are subject to change due to severe weather or other unforeseen events.

For the safety of customers and staff, certain procedures will be followed. For HEC3 safety procedures, visit: www.pinellascounty.org/hec3.

For Mobile Collection procedures and schedule, visit: www.pinellascounty.org/mobileoptions.

Electronics and chemicals generated by businesses are not accepted at mobile collection events and are only accepted at HEC3 on select days for a fee. For business collection dates and fees, visit www.pinellascounty.org/bizwaste.

For detailed information about accepted items, quantity limits and hours visit www.pinellascounty.org/hec3 or call (727) 464-7500.