Every year, thousands of Indianapolis and Marion County residents rely on ToxDrop events to safely get rid of old paint, chemicals, batteries, and unwanted electronics — but finding clear information about when, where, and what’s accepted can be surprisingly frustrating. If you’ve ever spent 20 minutes clicking around Indy.gov only to end up more confused, or waited over an hour in a backed-up line at a drop-off site, this guide is for you. Below, you’ll find the complete 2026 ToxDrop schedule, every location, a detailed breakdown of accepted and prohibited items, and insider tips to make your visit as painless as possible.
Need to haul more than the city will take?
Veteran-owned, 600+ five-star reviews. We pick up everything the city will not, often the same day you book, free on-site quote.
What Is the Full Indianapolis ToxDrop 2026 Schedule?
Month-by-Month 2026 Calendar
ToxDrop runs on set Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Traders Point Collection Facility (7550 N. Lafayette Rd.) opens on the first Saturday of each month. The Perry Township Government Center (4925 S. Shelby St.) opens on the second and fourth Saturdays. Both sites are closed on the third and fifth Saturdays and on all major holidays. Bookmark the ToxDrop page on Indy.gov for official updates, since the schedule can change.
Event Frequency and 2026 Expansion
The city’s Department of Public Works asked for more ToxDrop events, as Mirror Indy’s ToxDrop expansion reporting explains. The proposed 2026 budget pays for 12 more events a year and a new site on the east side. Events are free and open to Marion County residents only, not businesses.
Paper Shredding Availability
Select ToxDrop dates include free on-site paper shredding, usually limited to two to three boxes per household. Shredding is first-come, first-served and tends to run out early, so arrive promptly if document destruction is your priority.
Where Are the 2026 ToxDrop Drop-Off Locations?
Complete List of ToxDrop Sites
The City lists two ToxDrop sites: the Traders Point Collection Facility, 7550 N. Lafayette Rd., and the Perry Township Government Center, 4925 S. Shelby St. Plug either address into Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions, especially if you’re visiting a site for the first time.
Location-by-Location Congestion Comparison
The two sites never run on the same Saturday, so you cannot switch to a quieter one on the day. Community feedback flags Perry as the more congested site, particularly for electronics drop-off. If the Perry Saturdays look too busy, the first-Saturday event at Traders Point is the other option.
Eligibility and Residency Requirements
ToxDrop is only for residents of Marion County, and the City says it does not accept commercial waste. The City does not say what proof of residency staff may ask for, so keep your ID with you. Businesses needing disposal should look into junk removal in Indianapolis instead.
What Hazardous Waste and Electronics Does ToxDrop Accept?
Accepted Household Hazardous Waste Items
ToxDrop accepts paint, paint thinner and stripper, wood stains and varnishes, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, used motor oil, brake fluid, propane tanks under 20 pounds, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermometers, cleaning chemicals, and aerosol cans. The City sets a limit of 20 gallons of liquid waste or 75 pounds of solid waste per visit. Indiana’s IDEM maintains a comprehensive household hazardous waste guide worth reviewing before your visit. Always keep items in their original labeled containers for safety and faster processing.
Accepted Electronics and E-Waste
Accepted electronics include TVs 27 inches or smaller (flat screens included), computers and laptops (up to five computer systems per visit), monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, e-readers, gaming systems, and DVD players. AA, AAA and lead acid batteries are also accepted. Electronics recycling availability can vary by event date, so confirm before loading up. If you can’t wait for the next event, year-round junk removal in Indianapolis is available, and you can learn more about how TV and e-waste disposal works on a schedule that fits yours.
Latex Paint vs. Hazardous Paint — A Common Misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that latex paint can skip ToxDrop. The City’s ToxDrop list names paint without splitting it into latex and oil-based, so bring any paint you cannot use. If you would rather not wait for an event, South Side Landfill says old paint can go to the landfill once you solidify it with sawdust, clay-based cat litter or cellulose insulation.
What Items Are Prohibited and What Should You Know Before Going?
Unacceptable and Prohibited Items
ToxDrop does not accept commercial waste, and the City publishes no list of other refused items. If an item is not on the accepted list, ask the City before you load it. For large appliance disposal, consider junk removal in Indianapolis, and for bulk items that don’t fit the ToxDrop model, junk removal in Indianapolis handles the heavy lifting. Bringing prohibited items slows down the line for everyone.
How to Prepare and Package Materials for Drop-Off
Keep chemicals in original containers with labels intact. Separate items by category — paints together, automotive fluids together, electronics together — and load them in your trunk or truck bed for quick volunteer-assisted unloading. Secure all lids tightly, place items upright in a box, and never mix chemicals together.
Safety and Event Day Guidelines
You must stay in your vehicle — trained staff will unload items from your car. Keep hazardous materials out of the passenger compartment whenever possible.
Need to haul more than the city will take?
Veteran-owned, 600+ five-star reviews. We pick up everything the city will not, often the same day you book, free on-site quote.
How Can You Avoid the Infamous Long Wait Times at ToxDrop?
Best Times to Arrive
Reddit users consistently report 1.5+ hour waits during the first few hours after opening at 9 a.m. The community’s best advice: arrive after noon when traffic thins significantly.
Choosing the Right Location
The two sites run on different Saturdays, so pick the date first: the first Saturday of the month is Traders Point, and the second and fourth Saturdays are Perry. Check social media or community forums the morning of the event for real-time crowd reports. Fall events generally draw lighter crowds than spring and early summer dates.
Quick-Unload Strategies
Pre-sort and pre-stage items in your vehicle so volunteers can grab and go — this directly reduces your time in line. If you only have electronics, ask whether there’s a separate, faster lane for e-waste.
What If You Miss a ToxDrop Event — What Are Your Other Options?
Year-Round Permanent Drop-Off Facilities
The Hamilton County HHW drop-off center operates on a more frequent schedule for neighboring county residents. Hendricks County also runs its own Tox-Away Days program for residents near county borders.
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Best Buy accepts many electronics for recycling year-round at no or low cost. Hardware stores like Sherwin-Williams accept leftover paint, and auto parts stores (AutoZone, O’Reilly) take used motor oil, batteries, and antifreeze for free.
Professional Junk Removal and Cleanout Services
For large-scale projects — garages full of old chemicals, estates with mixed hazardous items, or electronics hoarding situations — a professional service handles everything in one visit. Options like junk removal in Indianapolis and junk removal in Indianapolis work on your schedule, not just one Saturday a month. If you’re clearing out bulky items alongside hazardous waste, junk removal in Indianapolis can be part of the same trip.
What About Small Businesses — Where Can They Dispose of Hazardous Waste?
ToxDrop is explicitly limited to residential household waste. Small businesses that show up with commercial waste will be turned away. For general guidance, Indy.gov’s Recycling 101 page covers commercial recycling basics.
Small businesses must use licensed hazardous waste haulers or IDEM-registered facilities. Contact IDEM directly for a list of permitted commercial hazardous waste transporters in central Indiana.
Is ToxDrop the Best Way to Handle Your Hazardous Waste and Electronics in 2026?
ToxDrop remains the best free option for Marion County residents, and the 2026 expansion should improve access and reduce wait times. Between ToxDrop events, it’s also worth checking your recycling pickup day so routine recyclables don’t pile up alongside hazardous items. Bookmark this guide and the official schedule so you always know the next event date.
If you have a large volume of items, can’t make a Saturday event, or need same-day service, professional junk removal in Indianapolis is the faster alternative. For demolition debris or renovation waste, junk removal in Indianapolis can handle hazardous materials properly, and for bulky items mixed into a cleanout, junk removal in Indianapolis rounds out your options.
The bottom line: go after noon, pre-sort your items, pick the right Saturday for the site you need, and know how paint is handled before you go. Residents should also confirm their trash pickup schedule to coordinate regular curbside collection with any ToxDrop visit. If ToxDrop doesn’t fit your schedule, you’ve got plenty of year-round alternatives to keep hazardous waste out of your home — and out of the landfill.
