Hazardous waste, including electronic waste, accounts for significant amounts of toxic waste in landfills. Items such as electronics, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, paints, pesticides, cleaning products, old medications, and other chemicals are illegal to put in the garbage or pour down a drain or gutter because they contaminate our soil, drinking water, and air.
What is considered HHW?
- Flammables include paints, dry or wet, petroleum-based products, and polishes.
- Corrosives include acids, bases, batteries, and drain clog remover.
- Toxics include poisons, pesticides, gardening chemicals, ammonia, and solvents.
- Oxidizers include pool chemicals, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and perchlorates.
- Other miscellaneous include propane, helium, small oxygen tanks, and smoke detectors.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS
Recology Butte Colusa Counties Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Hours (residential customers): Accepted Items: *To qualify for free disposal you must provide proof of residency. Acceptable documents include garbage, water, phone, cable, or electricity bills. Commercial customers may drop off by appointment only. Fees do apply. Please contact us to schedule an appointment |
Maxwell Transfer Station This facility only accepts: motor oil, motor oil filters, appliances, electronic waste, batteries, fluorescent tubes, and sharps. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- CA Integrated Waste Management Board Information Line – 800.553.2962
- Department of Toxic Substances Control – 800.698.6942
(to report hazardous waste violations only)
MEDICATIONS
When medications are disposed of in the trash or down the drain, they can end up in the wrong hands, or in our soils and waterways. Wastewater treatment facilities are not properly equipped to remove medicinal substances from the water. The result? A wide range of pharmaceuticals have been found in our rivers and lakes.
Drop Off
Confidential drop-off containers are available at many police stations and pharmacies. Call before you go.
SHARPS
Residents with medical conditions requiring the use of hypodermic needles are required to arrange for proper disposal. California law prohibits the disposal of “sharps waste” in trash or recycling containers.
Drop Off
Before drop-off at the Maxwell Transfer Station Kiosk or the Recology Butte Colusa Counties Transfer Station, place home-generated sharps waste in biohazard containers. Biohazard containers are available for purchase at local pharmacies and some office supply stores.
Mail-Back Service:
Check out CalRecycle’s sharps waste mail-back services.
Home-generated sharps waste includes: hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for medical purposes.