Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities

The Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) accepts household hazardous waste and other items worthy of special handling from Westchester County residents year-round. The facility also accepts hazardous chemicals and fluorescent bulbs from any school, institution or business that qualifies as a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) on the first Thursday of every month. Please call the Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425 to set up your appointment or learn more about CESQGs. 

The H-MRF is located at 15 Woods Road, Valhalla NY and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only. For more information regarding fees, appointments and what materials are accepted, call our Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425.

Hours of operation and scheduling appointments
Residents: reserve a time slot for appointments (Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m) up to two weeks in advance. To make or cancel an appointment, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 (available seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m), or schedule your appointment online using the online calender. Upon arrival, you will be asked to provide a current government-issued photo ID (e.g. a driver’s license) as proof of residency. Please note that the H-MRF is closed on federal holidays.

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG): The facility is only open to CESQGs on the first Thursday of every month. To find out if you qualify as a CESQG, or to make an appointment, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 (available seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m).

Fees
Fees may apply if you live in Somers, North Salem, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, Bedford, North Castle, or New Castle. These seven municipalities do not contribute tax fees to the Refuse Disposal District No. 1 (RDD) that funds the construction and operation of the H-MRF. Only credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover) will be accepted for fees payment. A minimum fee of $5.00 per appointment will be charged. To avoid fees at the H-MRF, residents in these seven municipalities are encouraged to learn about several other disposal options for special wastes that are free of charge. See Potential Fees.

Potential closings
If an extreme weather event creates unsafe working conditions, appointments will be canceled. To verify closing due to weather conditions, call (914) 813-5425. You will also receive a cancellation e-mail under these circumstances.

Planning your visit
On the day of your visit, it's important to follow these simple rules for a quick and hassle-free drop-off:

• Bring a valid driver's license.
• Remember to close all bags and bottles tightly.
• All chemicals must be in original or labeled containers.
• Place all chemicals in a sturdy box and in the trunk of your car.
• Medications are accepted only on the first Tuesday of each month, excluding County holidays, by appointment only. The H-MRF also accepts medications on additional days twice a year - in April and October- as part of the US Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Of the many items listed under "Wastes Accepted," some can also be recycled at other locations throughout the county, often for free. Read more about special wastes in general or click the links of a specific item for more details.

Wastes Accepted

• Automotive fluids (except motor oil)
• Car tires (with or without rims) up to four per household
• Electronic waste (e.g. computers, televisions, cell phones, see full list here)
• Expired or unused pharmaceuticals (only on the first Tuesday of each month, excluding County holidays, by appointment only. The H-MRF also accepts medications on additional days twice a year in April and October as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Medication take-back days are labeled on the reservation calendar when scheduling a reservation. Prescription or over-the-counter medications must be in their original bottle or container.)
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fluorescent light bulbs (including CFLs and tube-shaped fluorescent bulbs)
• LEDs (some manufacturers and local hardware stores also accept LEDs)
• Kerosene and other flammable liquids
• Mercury thermometers, thermostats
• Metal, jewelry and furniture polish
• Paint (oil and latex based), Wood preservatives and Stains
• Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides
• Photo and swimming pool chemicals
• Propane tanks
• Rechargeable batteries (including vehicle batteries and button cell)
  • Individually bag batteries or tape ends - Video on Lithium Ion Battery Safe Practices
  • If transporting lithium-ion batteries that are damaged, take care to package them for transport and then place them in sand or kitty litter.
  • Additional Safety Tips for lithium-ion batteries from Westchester County Emergency Services
• Refrigerant-containing household appliances (e.g. air conditioners, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers)
• Textiles (footwear, clothing, linens and more)
• Cooking fats, oils and grease

In December 2021, the County expanded it's textile recycling program. Westchester residents have the opportunity to recycle a variety of textiles (clothes, shoes, and more) in any condition (torn, worn, stained, broken zippers, etc.) as long as they are clean, dry and odorless. For a full list visit the Textile Recycling page. 

Items include but is not limited to:

• All types of clothing including jackets & coats
• All types of shoes, sneakers, boots and cleats
• All types of accessories including belts, handbags, scarfs, hats and gloves

Confidential personal documents (shredding) Up to four file boxes (10" x 12" x 15") of personal documents only will be accepted per appointment. The shredder has a limited capacity.
Papers from businesses, institutions or commercial enterprises will not be accepted for shredding. County staff will reject any paper identified as commercial or institutional. 

Residents who show up with excess documents delay other appointments. Documents from businesses (as from doctor offices or accounting firms) will be rejected, along with documents from residents that are not on white office paper (i.e., junk mail or store circulars). Please consider using the much larger Mobile Shredder for residentially generated confidential documents. Private businesses must hire a private shredding service.

Wastes Not Accepted

• Asbestos (Under NO circumstances will asbestos be accepted)
• Construction and demolition debris (including wood and shingles)
• Curbside recyclables (glass, metal, plastic, cardboard and paper products)
• Explosives (e.g. fireworks, bullets and flares--call your local police department for instructions)
• Medical waste (except pharmaceuticals)
• Motor oil
• Non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon zinc batteries (dispose in trash)
• Papers from businesses, institutions, or commercial enterprises will not be accepted for shredding. County staff will reject any paper identified as commercial or institutional.
• Plastic Bags (bring to large retailer)
• Sharps (medical needles and syringes)
• Smoke and fire detectors (contact manufacturer first for possible return service; dispose of in trash in unable to return)

 Fees Applicable to Residents of Somers, North Salem, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, Bedford, North Castle and New Castle

The charges below reflect our disposal and administrative costs. Other free or lower cost disposal options are available for most of these types of wastes throughout the county. The exception is hazardous chemicals that should be properly disposed at the facility. For more information, click on the links or call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.