Household hazardous waste in Escambia County has a free home: the drop off at Perdido Landfill, open to county residents year round. Santa Rosa County runs its own free center at the Central Landfill in Milton. Those two sites are where your old paint, gas, pesticides, propane tanks, batteries and fluorescent bulbs belong, not the curb and not a junk hauler's trailer. Here is what each one takes, the limits, and why haulers turn these items away.
Why junk haulers won't take hazardous items
Junk haulers take loads to the landfill like anyone else, and landfill disposal is for ordinary household and bulky waste. Hazardous materials have their own drop off, and both counties keep it residential only. Escambia County's page says its HHW drop off accepts no materials from businesses, and Santa Rosa's says commercial and business waste cannot be accepted. A hauler is a business, so the resident has to bring these items in.
Escambia's fee schedule also lists a prohibited waste separation fee at the landfill, charged by the hour, for loads that contain things that should not be there. That is one more reason haulers check what is in the boxes.
Pelican Haul-Off does not take paint, chemicals, tires or similar items. If you are not sure about something, text a photo and we will tell you.
Escambia County: Perdido Landfill HHW drop off
As posted in October 2026, the drop off is open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed Sunday, and is free to Escambia County residents. The county's page includes a map of the landfill and the HHW drop off site, so follow it rather than an old address or memory of where it used to be.
| Item | Escambia limit as posted |
|---|---|
| Oil based and latex paint | Up to 20 gallons |
| Gasoline | Up to 10 gallons |
| Antifreeze and coolant | Up to 10 gallons |
| Fluorescent tubes (up to 8 feet) | No more than 10 per customer |
| CFL bulbs | No more than 10 per customer |
| Used oil, pesticides, herbicides | Accepted |
| Propane and scuba tanks | Accepted |
| Batteries, including car, marine and motorcycle | Accepted |
| Old ammunition, flares, fireworks | Accepted, 50 caliber maximum |
| Sharps | In a labeled, puncture resistant container |
Electronics are also accepted: TVs, cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, gaming systems, microwaves, speakers and similar items.
Not accepted at the HHW drop off: appliances, medical waste and medication. For old medications, the county says to call a pharmacy or the Pensacola Police Department for local collection, and not to pour them down a drain or put them in the garbage.
The county also collects HHW and electronics at Regional Roundup events, and its neighborhood cleanups take paint, motor oil, chemicals and batteries at the curb in the scheduled area.
Santa Rosa County: HHW Center at the Central Landfill
The center sits at the entrance to the Central Landfill, 6337 Da Lisa Road in Milton. As posted in October 2026 it is open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is free for Santa Rosa County residents, with a photo ID required.
It takes paints, stains and solvents, motor oil, gasoline and diesel, antifreeze and other automotive fluids, cleaners, pesticides, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable, coin cell and vehicle batteries, electronics and syringes in approved containers.
Posted limits per carload: up to 15 gallons combined of paint, stain or solvents; up to 10 gallons each of oil, gasoline or antifreeze per week; and no more than 25 fluorescent bulbs. It does not take alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, 9 volt, C and D), tube or projection TVs, or business waste.
Tires have their own rules
Tires are not part of either HHW list. In Escambia, Perdido Landfill takes up to 5 tires per household for a per tire fee, and ECUA bulk pickup takes up to 5 a month if they are separated from the rest of the pile. Santa Rosa's Central Landfill takes up to 10 tires per visit for a per tire fee. Our Perdido Landfill guide and Santa Rosa County landfill guide cover the scale and fees.
Tips for the drop off trip
- Keep containers closed, upright and in their original packaging when you can.
- Pack them in a box or bin so nothing tips over on the drive.
- Stay under the limits above, or plan two trips.
- Check the county page before you go, since hours and limits change.
Everything else, we can haul
Once the hazardous items are handled, the rest of the garage or shed is usually furniture, shelving, boxes and old gear. Text photos of what you want gone to (850) 273-8546 with your ZIP code and whether there are stairs. We text back a price and the soonest pickup time, and the price is confirmed before anything is loaded. Same day pickup happens when available, and your first pickup is $20 off when you mention the website. See how our junk hauling service works.