Omaha Household Hazardous Waste Disposal: What Goes to UnderTheSink
Moving into a home often reveals a few leftovers from the previous owner: half-used paint cans, old gasoline, lawn chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, automotive fluids, or a shelf full of cleaners you do not plan to use. These items should not automatically go into the trash, recycling cart, sink, toilet, or storm drain.
For residents of Douglas and Sarpy Counties, the main household hazardous waste facility is UnderTheSink. The City of Omaha operates the facility at 4001 South 120th Street, near 120th and I Streets. It accepts many unwanted household chemicals and special waste items from eligible households.
This guide explains who can use UnderTheSink, what it accepts, what it does not accept, how the drop-off process works, and how to transport potentially hazardous materials safely.
Quick Answer: Where Do Household Chemicals Go in Omaha?
If you live in Douglas or Sarpy County and need to dispose of unwanted household chemicals, check the official UnderTheSink accepted-items list before loading your vehicle. Most accepted household hazardous waste is handled at no charge. Latex paint and other water-based coatings cost $1 per container that is quart size or larger, and payment is by credit card only.
UnderTheSink accepts walk-in vehicle drop-offs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during posted hours. Saturday drop-offs require an appointment, except during certain special cleanup events. Hours and holiday schedules can change, so confirm them on the official location and hours page before leaving home.
What Counts as Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste includes products that can poison, burn, corrode, ignite, react, or create other risks when stored or discarded improperly. A product does not need to display the words “hazardous waste” to require special handling.
Check the label for warning words such as:
- Caution
- Warning
- Danger
- Poison
- Flammable
- Volatile
- Caustic
- Corrosive
Improper disposal can expose sanitation workers to dangerous materials, contaminate water, damage plumbing or wastewater systems, create battery fires, and leave harmful products accessible to children or pets. Never pour an unwanted chemical onto the ground, into a storm drain, or down a household drain unless the product manufacturer and local disposal authority specifically say that method is safe.
Who Can Use UnderTheSink?
UnderTheSink serves households located in Douglas County and Sarpy County. That includes eligible households in Omaha and many surrounding communities, but the county requirement matters more than the city name in your mailing address.
The facility does not accept waste from:
- Businesses
- Home-based businesses
- Farms
- Schools
- Offices
- Institutions
A drop-off is also limited to material from one household. Do not combine chemicals from neighbors, relatives, friends, or multiple properties into one trip.
If you recently moved and are unsure which county contains your home, verify the property through the appropriate county assessor before scheduling a Saturday appointment or making the drive.
Common Items UnderTheSink Accepts
The facility accepts a broad range of household products. Its official list is not exhaustive, so call 402-444-SINK (7465) when you have an unusual item or cannot identify the correct disposal category.
Garage and Workshop Products
- Motor oil and used oil filters
- Antifreeze and other automotive fluids
- Automotive batteries
- Old or new gasoline
- Gas and oil mixtures
- Kerosene and lighter fluid
- Acetone and other solvents
- Adhesives, glue, epoxy, caulk, and contact cement
- Oil-based paint, paint thinner, paint remover, stains, varnish, and shellac
- Latex paint and other water-based coatings, subject to the current container fee
- Aerosol cans and spray paint
Lawn, Garden, and Outdoor Products
- Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insect sprays
- Weed killer and brush killer
- Garden chemicals
- Pool chemicals
- Rodent poison
- Concrete cleaners and etching products
- Small propane bottles no larger than one pound
Household and Personal Items
- Drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and other household cleaning products
- Floor-care products and furniture polish
- Mercury thermometers and non-digital thermostats
- Compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- Lithium and rechargeable batteries
- E-cigarettes
- Rechargeable toothbrushes and razors
- Sharps and syringes packed in a rigid, hard-sided plastic container with a secure lid and a clear label
When in doubt, search the Omaha Recycling Guide or call UnderTheSink before the trip. A quick check can prevent arriving with an item the facility cannot take.
What UnderTheSink Does Not Accept
UnderTheSink is not a general dump, electronics recycler, appliance collection site, or bulky-item facility. Some items that require special handling still belong elsewhere.
Items on the facility’s not-accepted list include:
- Waste related to any business or organization
- Alkaline, hearing-aid, watch, and similar single-use batteries
- Ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and flares
- Appliances
- Asbestos
- Drywall joint compound
- Electronics
- Fire extinguishers
- Infectious waste
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Propane tanks larger than one pound
- Radioactive material
- Railroad ties
- Smoke detectors
- Tires
- Wood
This is not a complete list. Do not assume that an item is accepted simply because it cannot go into curbside trash or recycling.
Where Do the Items UnderTheSink Rejects Go?
The correct alternative depends on the item:
- Electronics: Use a local electronics recycler or an eligible retailer collection program. Ask about fees, data destruction, and limits before visiting.
- Medications: Use a pharmacy, law-enforcement, or community medication take-back location. Do not take loose medication to UnderTheSink.
- Large propane tanks: Contact a propane supplier, tank exchange provider, or other approved cylinder service. Do not place a pressurized cylinder in a trash cart.
- Fire extinguishers: Contact a local fire-protection or safety-equipment company for service or disposal options.
- Tires and appliances: Retailers and specialized disposal facilities may accept them, often for a fee. Omaha cleanup events may also accept certain bulky items, but event rules vary.
- Smoke detectors: Check the manufacturer’s return guidance and the detector type before disposal.
- Ammunition, explosives, or unstable materials: Do not transport them to UnderTheSink. Contact the appropriate local public-safety agency for instructions.
Omaha’s seasonal cleanup events are useful for furniture and certain bulky household materials, but they generally do not replace UnderTheSink for household chemicals. Review the current Wasteline cleanup rules before loading anything.
How Much Does UnderTheSink Cost?
Most accepted household hazardous waste is handled at no cost to eligible Douglas and Sarpy County households.
The primary exception is latex paint and other water-based coatings. UnderTheSink currently charges $1 per container for containers that are quart size or larger. The facility accepts credit cards only for this charge.
Latex paint is treated differently because it is not hazardous once it has dried completely. If only a small amount remains, the facility provides instructions for drying it so the solid material can be disposed of properly. Do not leave liquid paint at the curb or pour it into a drain.
Hours, Appointments, and the Drop-Off Process
UnderTheSink is at:
4001 South 120th Street
Omaha, NE 68137
The regular schedule posted as of October 2026 is:
- Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Saturday: Drop-off by appointment only
No appointment is normally required Wednesday through Friday. For a Saturday visit, schedule online or call 402-444-SINK (7465). Holiday hours and special-event procedures can differ from the regular schedule.
When you arrive, follow the directional signs and stop beneath the canopy. Remain in the vehicle and wait for a staff member. Staff will provide a short form and unload the accepted materials. Keep everything readily visible and accessible in the trunk or truck bed.
How to Pack Household Chemicals for the Drive
Safe transportation begins before you start the car. Follow these steps:
- Keep products in their original containers. The label helps staff identify and handle the contents safely.
- Never mix chemicals. Combining cleaners, fuels, pool products, or other chemicals can cause dangerous reactions.
- Tighten every lid. Check for damage, leaks, rust, or loose caps.
- Label unknown containers. If the original label is gone, add any information you know about the contents. Do not open or sniff an unknown chemical to identify it.
- Protect leaking containers. Place each damaged or leaking container in its own heavy or doubled plastic bag.
- Keep containers upright. Pack them in a sturdy box lined with plastic or newspaper to contain minor leaks.
- Use the trunk or truck bed. Keep the material away from passengers whenever possible.
- Go directly to the facility. Do not leave chemicals in a parked vehicle, especially in direct sun, and do not combine the trip with errands.
UnderTheSink does not accept containers larger than five gallons. Gas cans and other containers left with material cannot be emptied and returned, so do not bring a container you need to keep.
What Is the UnderTheSink ReStore?
Usable products dropped off at the facility may be placed in the onsite ReStore rather than sent immediately for disposal. The ReStore offers unwanted household chemicals that remain in good condition for reuse.
This can be useful if you need a small amount of paint, stain, cleaner, or another household product and want to reduce waste. The facility posts limits on the number of visitors, shopping time, total weight, spray-paint cans, and same-day re-entry. Availability changes constantly, so treat it as a reuse opportunity rather than a guaranteed source for a specific product.
A Practical New-Home Chemical Cleanup
If you have just moved into an Omaha-area home, use this simple process:
- Walk through the garage, basement, utility room, shed, cabinets, and under-sink areas.
- Separate products you will safely use from those you want to discard.
- Leave every product in its original container whenever possible.
- Create separate groups for UnderTheSink, electronics, medications, bulky items, and normal household trash.
- Check the official accepted and not-accepted lists.
- Call before traveling with an unusual, damaged, unidentified, or potentially unstable item.
- Pack accepted products securely immediately before the trip.
- Update your home inventory after the drop-off so old chemicals do not accumulate again.
While you are organizing the house, review the MoveToOmaha guides to Omaha utilities, trash, and recycling, your first 30 days in Omaha, and moving checklists and timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take electronics to UnderTheSink?
No. Electronics are on the facility’s not-accepted list. Use a qualified electronics recycler or participating retailer program and verify any fees or limits first.
Does UnderTheSink take paint?
Yes. It accepts oil-based paint and related solvents. Latex paint and other water-based coatings are also accepted, but a $1 fee applies to each container that is quart size or larger. Credit card payment is required.
Can I bring a full-size propane tank?
No. The accepted list includes propane bottles no larger than one pound. Larger propane tanks must go to another approved provider.
Can I bring chemicals from my home-based business?
No. UnderTheSink accepts household waste only. Business-related waste is excluded even when the business operates from a residence.
Do I need an appointment?
Not for regular Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday drop-offs. Saturday drop-offs require an appointment unless the facility announces a special event procedure.
Can I drop off items for a neighbor or relative?
No. Each visit or appointment is limited to material from one eligible Douglas or Sarpy County household.
Will the facility return my gas can?
No. Gas cans and similar containers cannot be emptied and returned. Plan to leave the container with the material.
Before You Leave Home
UnderTheSink makes it much easier for Omaha-area residents to clear old chemicals out of a garage, basement, or shed without placing workers, plumbing, pets, or the environment at risk. The key is to check the item first, pack it correctly, and confirm the current schedule.
Before visiting, review the accepted-items list, the not-accepted list, and the current hours and holiday schedule. For questions, call 402-444-SINK (7465).
