Safe Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste

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ReGen Monterey Household Hazardous Waste Facility
City of Monterey Sustainability

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

When we think about "Hazardous Waste," we tend to think about barrels of sludge or glowing radioactive ooze, but it's not all so obvious. Toxic products can lurk in many corners of your home or business: pesticides for landscaping, jugs of used motor oil, worn-out fluorescent bulbs and tubes, and familiar chemical cleaners purchased with your weekly groceries. When these products are leftover, unwanted, or unusable, they turn into potentially harmful waste, also known as Household Hazardous Waste.

Important: It is unlawful to place any hazardous materials or hazardous waste (including asbestos-containing materials) into any Monterey City Disposal Service cart, dumpster, or drop box.

Obvious Toxics

It is easy to imagine why certain toxics, such as a bottle of weed killer or a canister of diesel fuel, might pose a danger to us and the environment. Inhaling fumes and skin contact can damage our health, especially that of our children. Throwing these products into the trash or pouring them down the sink or into a storm drain pollutes our soil, groundwater, rivers, and bay and can harm wildlife.

Hidden Toxics

Other hazardous wastes are less obvious in their toxicity. For example, electronics such as computers and cell phones, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and thermostats are safe while in use but turn into toxic waste when discarded. This is because they contain heavy metals like mercury and cadmium and other harmful chemicals that are released into the environment when these products are crushed in landfills.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil & Paint (ABOP), Tires, Electronic & Medical Waste

Many common products that we use in our homes and daily lives contain hazardous ingredients that require special care in their disposal. The State of California has recently expanded its definitions of hazardous and universal wastes. Here is what you should know:

• Tires, electronic waste, medical waste, HHW, and ABOP items are unlawful to dispose of in the normal waste stream.

• Do not flush these materials down toilets, sinks, or storm drains.

• Never, ever dispose of ANYTHING in a storm drain.
  
  ReGen, Monterey offers Monterey City Disposal Service customers a convenient and safe collection program for HHW and ABOP materials. Click here to be directed to the ReGen, Monterey household hazardous waste web page for directions and hours of operation for their collection facility.
  

Identifying HHW & ABOP Materials

Used motor oil collection

Motor oil is a hazardous waste and should be disposed of properly. Monterey County Health Department, the City of Monterey, and Monterey City Disposal Service are working together to provide the residents of Monterey with an environmentally friendly option for disposing of their used motor oil. You must use the County's used oil collection container to dispose of your oil. Simply place your oil at the curb, next to your blue cart, on your normal recycling collection day. If you do not have the proper container, City of Monterey residents can call Monterey Disposal at (831) 372-7977. This service is provided for single-family residences only. Oil must be free of all other fluids (i.e., no antifreeze or fuel) and properly placed to avoid spillage.