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Recent Landfill Ban • Yuba-Sutter HHW Facility • Battery Recycling • Electronic Waste • Sharps • Prescription Medicines • Non-Toxic Alternatives • Fluorescent and HID Lights • California Paint Stewardship Program

Household Hazardous Waste

Just open your cupboards and closets or check the shelves in your garage and hobby area and count the number of products that have the words caustic, corrosive, danger, explosive, flammable, poison, toxic or warning on them.

Thousands of common household, automotive, lawn, garden, hobby, cosmetic and home improvement products are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. These items should not be thrown out with your regular trash or garbage. They are hazardous to waste collection workers and to the environment.

Additionally, keep items identified as dangerous out of the reach of small children and pets. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, 60% of all poisonings are of children under six years of age. The most common products involved in these poisonings were household and chemical products, drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), and cosmetics.

Use this guide to survey your home room by room. Identify all hazardous products, their expiration date, location and the likelihood of your using them again. Recycle or properly dispose of those that you will not use again. When purchasing products, such as pesticides and paint, only buy what you need and look for non-toxic alternatives.

Room by Room Survey

• Kitchen
  • cleaning products
  • aerosol containers
  • oven cleaner
  • cooking oil
  • dishwasher detergent
• Garage
  • motor oil
  • oil filters
  • paint (oil based & latex)
  • paint thinner
  • vehicle batteries
  • antifreeze
  • brake & transmission fluid
• Bathroom
  • cleaning products
  • drain cleaner
  • thermometers
  • hair permanent & straightener solutions
  • sharps in puncture resistant containers
  • nail polish remover
• Yard & Garden
  • pesticides
  • pool cleaners
  • herbicides
  • pest poisons
  • gas, kerosene & other flammables
  • small propane cylinders (less than or equal to 5 gallons)
• Electronics
  • computer monitors
  • televisions
  • printers
  • computers
  • laptop computers
  • computer peripherals
  • telephones
  • answering machines
  • radios
  • stereo equipment
  • tape players/recorders
  • phonographs
  • video cassette players/recorders
  • compact disc players/recorders
  • calculators
  • appliances and devices with a keypad or circuit board
• Catch-All Closet
  • furniture polish
  • lighter fluid
  • shoe polish
  • hobby chemicals
  • thermostats
  • fluorescent light tubes/lamps
  • batteries

Recent Landfill Ban

Effective February 9, 2006, Recology Yuba-Sutter cannot collect debris boxes, bins, or carts (garbage, recycling, or green waste), which contain ANY:

• Electronic Waste
• Energy Efficient [Fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge (HID) light tubes, bulbs, or lamps, neon, etc.]
• Batteries (alkaline, carbon zinc, rechargeable, button, etc.)

Prohibited Electronic Waste Includes:

• Televisions and computer monitors
• Telephones and answering machines
• Computers and computer peripherals
• Radios
• Video record and play equipment
• Calculators
• Audio/Stereo record and play equipment
• Microwave ovens
• Portable LCD screen DVD players

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Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility

134 Burns Drive, Yuba City (off of Garden Highway in South Yuba City)
Open Saturdays ONLY, 8 am - 4 pm (excluding holidays) for HHW from your home
For information call (530) 743-6933 Monday - Friday, (530) 671-6900 Saturday

• There is no cost to drop off hazardous wastes from Yuba and Sutter County households. No appointment is required to deliver waste from households.
   
• 15 gallons or 125 lbs. of hazardous waste is the maximum amount that homeowners can haul per trip by State law. In addition, homeowners can haul up to another 20 gallons of used oil. There is no volume limit for electronic devices, consumer batteries and fluorescent light tubes/lamps.
   
• The largest container of hazardous waste accepted is 5 gallons. For Do-It-Yourself Oil Changers, up to 55 gallons of used motor oil can be pumped from your drum BUT, we cannot recycle your drum and you MUST call in advance to make an appointment.
   
• Qualifying Yuba and Sutter County businesses and non-household generators of hazardous waste must schedule an appointment to deliver waste and a fee will apply based on the type and quantity of waste delivered. Please call Recology Yuba-Sutter. CALL for an appointment: (530) 743-6933 Monday through Friday and Saturday (530) 671-6900.

Items NOT accepted at the Facility

• Medical Waste (except sharps)
• Asbestos (call for exceptions)
• Tires
• Ammunition & Explosives
• Radioactive Materials
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Propane Cylinders (> 5 gallons)
• Garbage
• Medicines

Proper Disposal & Transportation

Improper handling, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous products may cause extreme danger to you, your family, pets, property, water supply or wildlife. Always follow the manufacturer's directions when using these products.

Limit disposal by only buying what you need. Never mix products -- the fumes could be toxic. Bring surplus household chemicals (household hazardous waste) to the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility where it can be placed in the Reuse Center, recycled, or disposed of properly. Do not dispose of household hazardous waste in collection carts, dumpsters, burn barrels or street drains.

Bring products in their original containers and check that all containers are closed and in good enough condition to survive the drive. If the product label is missing, clearly list the contents on the container, or what it was used for, if known. Used motor oil and oil filters should be placed in a clean spill-proof container. Transport all hazardous wastes in sturdy containers, packed upright into cardboard boxes or plastic tubs and in your trunk or truck bed. DO NOT transport household toxics in the same airspace as you, your children, or pets. Call Recology Yuba-Sutter at (530) 743-6933 for directions on transporting leaking or damaged containers to the facility. If empty and dry, paint cans and other containers which used to hold household hazardous waste can be disposed in your gray cart. Aerosol cans which are empty of BOTH product and propellant can go in your blue (recycle) cart — please remove the cap and nozzle before recycling.

Reuse Center

The Reuse Center at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility has products such as recycled paint, gardening supplies, automotive fluids and cleaning products. Every item in the Reuse Center is FREE! Product availability varies from week to week.

For more information, call:

Recology Yuba-Sutter
Monday - Friday (530) 743-6933, or
Saturday (530) 671-6900

Empty HHW Containers

Empty containers of HHW which are 5 gallons or smaller are garbage (gray cart) when completely empty and dry. Aerosol paint cans can be recycled in your blue cart only if completely empty of product and propellant. Do not recycle empty aerosol cans of cleaners or pesticides. Drums and other containers larger than 5 gallons which are empty but originally held a hazardous material require special handling. Call the Environmental Department at Recology Yuba-Sutter at (530) 743-6933 for assistance.

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Battery Recycling

Why Recycle Batteries?

In an emergency and for all those electronic products we've come to depend on, batteries are an essential part of modern life. They help us hear, work, play, communicate, capture an image, be mobile, and alert us to danger conveniently and inexpensively.

From cell phones and computers, watches, smoke alarms, toys, and hearing aids, to flash lights and power tools -- our demand for batteries has grown dramatically and is likely to continue to increase as technology finds new uses for this handy, portable energy source. Over 3 billion industrial and household batteries are purchased each year. That's enough to fill 600 full-size school buses annually!

Unfortunately, many batteries contain toxic metals, such as mercury, cadmium and lead, which are a potential threat to people and the environment if not disposed of properly. Mercury, for example, is a nerve toxin that can impair the way people see, hear, walk and talk. When mercury gets into the environment, it builds up in the tissue of fish and wildlife and people who eat those fish. And, recycling saves resources because recovered plastic and metals can be used to make new items.

Used batteries are a hazardous waste and must be handled separately. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO PUT USED BATTERIES IN ANY OF YOUR COLLECTION CARTS.

Battery Recycling Locations

Batteries can be recycled by properly sorting them and taking them to the appropriate facility as listed below. Several local retail stores collect rechargeable batteries for recycling. Automotive batteries (lead-acid) are also rechargeable batteries, but they require special handling. All batteries -- rechargeable, non-rechargeable, and automotive batteries -- are accepted at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Rechargeable Batteries

Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Power tools, cell and cordless telephones, professional radios and video cameras.

Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Computers, cell phones, camcorders.

Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
Digital cameras and other consumer electronics.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) (For proper storage and transport, isolate each contact with tape.)
Computers, cell-phones.

Small Sealed Lead-Acid (SSL)
Burglar alarms, wheel chairs, emergency lighting, backup power.

Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off for recycling at these locations:

Other Common Batteries

Carbon Zinc, Alkaline & Rechargeable Alkaline
Flashlights, remote controls, toys, radios, smoke alarms and digital cameras.

Lithium
Cameras, pagers and keyless locks.

Zinc-Air
Hearing aids, pagers and computers (rechargeable).

Silver (button cell batteries)
Watches, calculators and hearing aids.

Automotive Batteries

Lead-Acid (rechargeable)
Cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles.

Safe Storage & Transportation of Batteries

A "dead" battery may appear to be no longer useful, but many still contain a residual charge. Even a battery that acts "dead" can short circuit if it comes in contact with metal, including another battery. If the short circuit occurs in the presence of paper or other combustibles a fire could result! To protect your property and health take these simple precautions:

• Store batteries for recycling separately from other recyclables in a plastic bucket, plastic bag, shoe box or non-metal container.
   
• Lithium (Li) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are particularly energetic and do not fully discharge. Isolate the contacts of each lithium battery by placing it in a separate plastic bag or placing duct tape over the contact of each battery.
   
• Store used batteries in the same packaging they came in. If storing used batteries with new ones, use a permanent pen to mark an "x" or a dot on the used ones.

Lead Acid Batteries (automotive):

Car, truck, motorcycle, boat and other motorized equipment use lead-acid batteries which require special handling and disposal. It is illegal to abandon or place lead-acid batteries in garbage cans or dumpsters. Retailers are required to accept spent lead-acid batteries as a trade-in with the purchase of a new one.

Always remember to:

• Store lead-acid batteries upright
   
• Transport damaged lead-acid batteries in a non-reactive secure container such as a plastic bucket or tub

How to Get the Most Out of Batteries

• Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. Each rechargeable battery may substitute for hundreds of single use batteries over its lifetime.
   
• Purchase batteries only as you need them. Batteries have a limited shelf life and will lose their charge over time.
   
• Remove batteries from equipment that will be stored for long periods of time. Batteries left in equipment when not being used can leak, corrode and will eventually lose their charge and may not be usable when needed.
   
• Clean contact surfaces when installing batteries. Clean contact surfaces ensure a good connection and limit wasted power.
   
• Keep batteries in a cool, dry place. Heat can speed up the chemical reaction and shorten the battery's life. Damp environments can cause batteries to corrode.
   
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different kinds of batteries, or mix batteries with metal. Mixing new and used batteries shortens the life of the new battery. Mixing different kinds of batteries in the same equipment or using rechargeable with common disposable batteries may ruin the equipment, shorten the life of the batteries, or may even cause an explosion. Mixing batteries with other objects such as metal keys or coins can short-circuit the battery which can cause heat and sparks.
   
• Never recharge disposable batteries. Recharging disposable batteries can ruin the charger.
   
• Do not take apart or tamper with the case of a battery. You, your family and the environment may be exposed to hazardous materials inside the battery. Always handle batteries with care.
   
• Always recycle batteries properly. Proper recycling of spent batteries is good for everyone -- people, wildlife and the environment.

Rechargeable Batteries and Alternative PowerProducts

Rechargeable Batteries and a Battery Charger -- Devices powered by ordinary AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 Volt batteries can be powered by rechargeable batteries of those sizes. For a complete explanation, see Waste Prevention and Recycling Tools.

Look for Portable Electronic Devices that Do Not Use Batteries -- There are a few that use no batteries at all, but instead use a capacitor that is recharged, typically by shaking the device or by normal use. See Alternative Power Products for details.

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Electronic Waste

The Regional Waste Management Authority and Recology Yuba-Sutter have implemented an Electronic Waste Recycling Program for Yuba and Sutter County residents and businesses. Electronic waste items can now be recycled at two locations -- the Recology Yuba-Sutter Transfer Station in Marysville and, effective April 14, 2007, at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Yuba City. Televisions, monitors and other electronic waste must be packed, transported and unloaded so as to avoid breakage. Please contact the Recology Yuba-Sutter Environmental Department at (530) 743-6933 for assistance in disposing of equipment with broken screens or broken cathode ray tube (CRT) glass.

Examples of recyclable electronic waste items:

• Televisions and computer monitors
• Telephones and answering machines
• Computers and computer peripherals
• Radios
• Stereo and video equipment
• Calculators
• Microwave ovens
• Portable LCD screen DVD players

Disposal of these items in garbage or recycling containers is prohibited.

Recology Yuba-Sutter Transfer Station

Electronic waste items can be recycled at the Recology Yuba-Sutter Transfer Station located at 3001 N. Levee Road off of Highway 20, just east of Marysville. (Get a map.) Consumer electronic materials are accepted at this facility 7 days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Electronic waste items are accepted free of charge, however disposal weight charges will be assessed on the entire load if other non-electronic waste items are included in the load. (Residents and businesses must be able to unload and carry their own equipment.) Businesses, schools, non-profits and government agencies must complete an Electronic Waste Delivery/Collection Tracking Form or a bill of lading certifying that the electronic waste is from a California source. Businesses and other entities with large numbers of electronic waste items must also call Recology Yuba-Sutter at (530) 743-6933 in advance to schedule a drop off. Collection of electronic waste can also be arranged for a fee.

Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Beginning April 14, 2007, there is new collection location for electronic waste recycling for Yuba and Sutter County households -- the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 134 Burns Drive off of Garden Highway, in South Yuba City. (Get a map.) Consumer electronic materials from households are accepted at this facility on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Electronic waste items are accepted free of charge.

Electronic waste from businesses, schools, local agencies and non-profit groups is not accepted at this location.

Recycling Industries

140 Epley Drive, Yuba City, CA 95991 (Get a Map)
(530) 671-2215
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Accepts and pays for small volumes of Cathode Ray Tube containing devices (CRTs) and computers (CPUs). Small volumes of small electronics and other electronics are accepted for free or for a small fee.

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Sharps (Hypodermic Needles, Syringes and Lancets)

Sharps, including hypodermic needles, syringes and lancets, generated by residents and stored in puncture resistant containers (DO NOT use plastic milk jugs or soda bottles) can be dropped-off at one of the following two facilities:

Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at 134 Burns Drive off of Garden Highway, in southern Yuba City. (Get a map.) Home-generated sharps in puncture resistant containers with sealed (taped) tight fitting lids are accepted only on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We cannot accept sharps from businesses, clinics, or veterinarians.

Marysville Transfer Station (Recology Yuba-Sutter). The Marysville Transfer Station (Recology Yuba-Sutter) is located at 3001 N. Levee Road off of Highway 20, in Marysville. (Get a map.) Home-generated sharps in puncture resistant containers with sealed (taped) tight fitting lids are accepted at the Container BuyBack Tuesday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We cannot accept sharps from businesses, clinics, or veterinarians.

Please note that the entire container of home-generated sharps must be left at the facility; containers cannot be returned; and loose needles cannot be accepted at either facility.

One-quart sharps containers are now available to Yuba and Sutter County residents for the storage of home-generated sharps. Containers may be picked up at the following locations:

Marysville Transfer Station (Recology Yuba-Sutter) Container Buyback Center
3001 N. Levee Road, Marysville
Tuesday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility
134 Burns Drive, Yuba City
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

California Senate Bill 1305

California Senate Bill 1305 (SB 1305) established a ban on disposal of home-generated sharps effective September 1, 2008. Please click here to view a presentation by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery staff about SB 1305.

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Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drugs

The Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs collection program at the Yuba City Police Department office has been SUSPENDED indefinitely due to regulatory and operational constraints. If the program resumes in the future, it will be promoted through the Recology Yuba-Sutter newsletter, by local press release and on this website.

The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration is now sponsoring two “Take-Back” days per year when local law enforcement can hold special collection events. The Take-Back days are usually in April and October. Call the Recology Yuba-Sutter Environmental Department or Recycling Coordinator at (530) 743-6933 for dates and information.

There are no other alternate collection sites for prescription and over-the-counter drug disposal and these substances cannot be accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. To dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the drugs should be removed from the original container and mixed with an undesirable substance such as cat litter or used coffee grounds. That mixture should then be placed into a disposable container with a lid or into a sealable bag for disposal with other household refuse in the gray garbage cart. It is further recommended that the drugs be placed in the gray cart immediately before the collection day to better restrict access to these substances by children and animals.

Empty plastic pill containers can be recycled in the blue recycling carts, but it is recommended that prescription labels be removed for privacy.

For additional questions, please call the Recology Yuba-Sutter Environmental Department or Recycling Coordinator at (530) 743-6933.

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Non-Toxic Alternatives

Many household products that contain toxic or hazardous materials have alternatives that are safer for both you and the environment and they may even save you money. Please try the following alternatives.

• Cleaning Formulas
  
  Air Freshener
  Combine 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake and spray in the air.
  
  All Purpose Cleaner
  Combine 1 tsp. borax, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 2 tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. vegetable-oil-based liquid soap, and 2 cups of very hot tap water in a spray bottle. Shake, spray and wipe off.
  
  Carpet Cleaner & Disinfectant
  Combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup borax, and 1/2 cup baking soda. Sprinkle on carpet, rub with a cloth, let set for a few hours and vacuum.
  
  Floor Cleaner
  Combine 1/8 cup vegetable-oil-based liquid soap, 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket.
  
  Glass Cleaner
  Combine 1/2 tsp. vegetable-oil-based liquid soap, 3 tbsp. vinegar, and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Shake, spray and wipe with a rag.
  
  Oven Cleaner
  Sprinkle water on the bottom of the oven, cover with baking soda and sprinkle with more water. Let stand overnight. Wash top and sides with a small amount of vegetable-oil-based liquid soap.
  
  Scouring Powder
  Use baking soda or borax and a damp sponge.
  
  Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  Pour 1 cup borax in the bowl and let set overnight. Brush.
  
  Tub & Tile Cleaner
  Combine 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1 tsp. borax, 1/2 tsp. vegetable-oil-based liquid soap, 3 tbsp. vinegar and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake, spray and rinse or wipe.
   
• Wood Polish Formula
  
  Wood Furniture Polish
  Combine 1/2 cup food-grade linseed oil, 1/8 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Rub into wood with a soft cloth.
   
• Garden Product Formulas
  
  Insecticides
  Spray plant with mild soapy water. Introduce beneficial insects.
  
  Snails/Slugs
  Fill shallow containers with beer or border the area with a copper strip.
  
  Ants
  Border garden with bone meal, tangle foot pyrethrum, silica gel or boric acid.
   
  
• Pet Product Formulas
  
  Cat Litter Box Odor
  Add a layer of baking soda to the box before adding litter.
  
  Fleas
  Keep pets and pet sleeping area clean. Place eucalyptus leaves near bedding. Feed pets small amounts of brewer's yeast, garlic or vitamin B.
   
• Indoor Pest Formulas
  
  Roaches
  Apply boric acid powder or baking soda mixed with powdered sugar, bay leaves, or silica gel around points of entry.
  
  Ants
  Apply red chili powder, cream of tartar powder or boric acid near path. Soak cotton balls in a thick syrup of sugar, borax and water and place near path.
  
  Moths
  Put clothes/blankets in a plastic bag. Use cedar balls or strips. Make sachets of dried lemon peels, dried lavendar, bay leaves or cloves. Keep flours and pastas in sealed containers.

If you do have to use household products that contain toxic or hazardous materials, please remember the following:

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Never mix toxics. Never mix ammonia products with chlorine products.
• Buy only what you need and use it up.
• Keep products in a cool dry place and out of the reach of children and pets.
• Share extra products with friends and neighbors or properly dispose of them at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Call (530) 743-6933 for facility information.

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Fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights

Effective February 9, 2006, Recology Yuba-Sutter cannot collect debris boxes, bins, or carts (garbage, recycling, or green waste), which contain ANY energy efficient lights [Fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge (HID) light tubes, bulbs, or lamps, neon, etc.]. These items must be properly disposed of through the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility, or other programs.

For additional information, please refer to the following two Recology Yuba-Sutter information flyers:

Fluorescent Tube Disposal Instructions

How to Clean Up Broken CFLs and Other Mercury-containing Lamps and Tubes, Households or Small Amounts of Breakage

California Department of Toxic Substances Control Information regarding fluorescent lamp management can be found at: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Mercury/#Fluorescent_Lamps

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California Paint Stewardship Program

The California Paint Stewardship Program, established by California law, requires paint manufacturers to develop a take back system for certain types of leftover paints from household and commercial consumers. Paint manufacturers, through the American Coatings Association, created PaintCare, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to administer the program, including recycling and proper disposal of certain types of unused paint products and to conduct public education about proper paint management. Funding for the program is from a Recovery Fee applied to the purchase price of paint sold in California and paid to PaintCare. PaintCare uses the fees to pay for the collection, recycling and proper disposal of unused paint from partnering drop-off sites.

For more information about the California Paint Stewardship Program, including lists of products accepted and not accepted at PaintCare drop-off sites, see PaintCare's Information for Paint Purchasers fact sheet.

To find a paint drop-off site near you, please visit: http://www.paintcare.org/california/search-ca.php

To view PaintCare's Paint Calculator for recommended paint purchase quantities, please visit: http://www.paintcare.org/calculator.php

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