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Recent Landfill Ban • Yuba-Sutter HHW Facility • Battery Recycling • Electronic Waste • Sharps • Prescription Medicines • Non-Toxic Alternatives

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, Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. 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)
Saturdays, 8 am - 4 pm; excluding holidays
Monday - Friday (530) 743-6933 • Saturday (530) 671-6900

• 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.
   
• In general, the largest container of hazardous waste accepted is 5 gallons. Used oil drums can be pumped out ONLY by appointment. CALL FIRST FOR DRUM PUMP OUT. No drums are accepted for disposal.
   
• 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 Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. at 743-6933 (Monday - Friday) for more information or to make an appointment.

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 YSDI at (530) 743-6933 for directions on transporting leaking or damaged containers to the facility.

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:

Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc.
Monday - Friday (530) 743-6933, or
Saturday (530) 671-6900

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Battery Recycling

Why is Battery Recycling Important?

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.

Because used batteries can be hazardous, they should not be thrown out in the garbage.

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 Houselhold 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.

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

Small Sealed Lead-Acid (SSL)
Burgler 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 used battery may appear to be no longer useful, but can still contain a residual charge. Certain precautions must be taken to prevent batteries from short-circuiting and potentially causing a fire.

1. Separate rechargeable batteries from non-rechargeable batteries.
    
2. Isolate the contacts of lithium (Li) batteries by putting each Li and Li-ion battery back into its original packaging, putting each Li and Li-ion battery in a separate plastic bag, or placing duct tape over the contact of each Li and Li-ion battery.
    
3. Store batteries separately in a plastic bucket, plastic bag, shoe box or non-metal container prior to recycling.

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 Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. 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 Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. 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 YSDI 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.

Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. Transfer Station

Electronic waste items can be recycled at the Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. 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 Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. 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.

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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 can be dropped-off at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at 134 Burns Drive off of Garden Highway, in South Yuba City. Sharps in puncture resistant containers are accepted from residents only on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note that the entire container must be left at the facility.

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Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drugs

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be disposed of in a confidential drop-off bin located inside the Yuba City Police Department office at 1545 Poole Blvd. in Yuba City. (Get a map.) The bin is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for Yuba and Sutter County residents to dispose of unwanted medications. Medicines should be left in their original container and prescription labels removed to ensure privacy. This program is only available for Yuba and Sutter County households (no businesses).

The Regional Waste Management Authority established this program, in association with the Yuba City Police Department, for the safe disposal of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. This program was established to prevent overdoses and errors by encouraging the removal of unwanted medications from homes and to provide an environmentally sound disposal method. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs SHOULD NEVER be disposed of down drains or in the toilet because they can pass through the treatment plant and contaminate rivers, lakes and streams. Disposal in the garbage is also discouraged because children and pets may find and consume them.

The United States Geological Survey sampled the water quality of 139 streams across 30 states and found that 80 percent had measurable concentrations of prescription and nonprescription drugs, steroids, and reproductive hormones. Exposure, even to low levels of drugs, has been shown to have negative effects on fish and other aquatic species and may have negative effects on human health. According to the California Poison Action Line, two million children under the age of five, swallow a poison every year.

Because of concerns about privacy and Federal laws restricting collection of controlled substances, prescription drugs CANNOT be accepted at the Yuba Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

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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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