Waste and Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste
A Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is proposed to be built in the City of Elk Grove that covers approximately 30,000 square feet where attendants receive, inspect sort, package and ship residential hazardous wastes (e.g. batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, solvents, household cleaning products, etc). For more information, please visit the Transfer Station webpage.
Where to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste (Brochure)- What is Household Hazardous Waste?
- How can I identify Household Hazardous Waste?
- What can YOU do about Household Hazardous Waste?
- Painting Without Polluting
- Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Locations
- Acceptable Materials
- Unacceptable Materials
Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities:
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste is not only created by industries, it also comes from us-from our homes, cars, and yards.
Household hazardous waste includes old paint and paint-related products, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, degreasers, car care products and other common household products.
If carelessly managed, household hazardous waste can create environmental and public health hazardous.
When a toxic household product is discarded improperly it ends up in a our landfills and water resources.
Disposing of waste in the sanitarysewer, pipes may be damaged; in the stormsewer, surface water quality deteriorates; in the trash, refuse workers may be injured or become ill; and on land, people and animals may be affected and groundwater contaminated.
How can I identify Household Hazardous Waste?
Generally, household hazardous waste materials belong to one of the following hazardous waste categories:
CORROSIVE. Examples are drain cleaners, rust removers and oven cleaners. Corrosives have an extremely low or high pH and can burn skin and mucous membranes. Labels usually state, “CORROSIVE—AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES.”
FLAMMABLES. Examples include gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, butane, oil-based paints and paint thinners. Labels usually say, “EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE—KEEP AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF IGNITION” and “HIGHLY FLAMMABLE—KEEP AWAY FROM FLAMES.”
TOXIC MATERIALS. Examples are benzene, cyanide compounds (found in rat fumigants), thallium sulfate (ant traps) and carbon tetrachloride (old fire extinguishers). Materials may be carcinogenic. Labels often contain the skull and crossbones and usually state, “DANGER/POISON” or “WARNING– KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.”
OXIDIZER. Examples include sodium hypochlorite and various peroxides. These chemicals react strongly with other compounds and may cause fires or explosions. Examples include chlorinated pool chemicals, sodium hypochlorite and various peroxides. Labels usually say, “WARNING—STRONG OXIDIZER.”
INHALATION HAZARD. Examples include windshield wiper solution and asbestos from brake shoes and clutches in older model cars and homes. Breathing these fumes or dust can cause central nervous system disruption or lung problems.
AIR QUALITY HAZARDS could cause excessive emissions or toxic ash problems at resource recovery facilities or incinerators. Examples include thermostats, paints that contain more than one percent by weight of heavy metals, products that contain significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and batteries—nickel, cadmium, lithium and lead acid.
WILDLIFE HAZARDS. Examples include old chlorinated pesticides such as DDT, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor, etc. Labels usually indicate the material presents a hazard to fish or wildlife. The material may be immediately toxic or accumulate in various tissues of the fish or animals. Of particular concern are those materials that are slow to degrade and tend to bio-accumulate.
UNKNOWNS. Unidentified materials—such as those that contain no label or ingredient information—should be treated as though they belong to one of the above categories until proven otherwise.
What Can YOU do about Household Hazardous Waste?
| 1. | The best way to mange HHW is to avoid creating it. Select the least toxic product to do the job and buy only as much as you need. |
| 2. | Is the product still usable? Give it away. A friend, neighbor or community group may be able to use it. |
| 3. | If the product isn’t usable or you can’t give it away, take it to a HHW facility. |
| 4. | Read and follow directions on how to use a product and dispose of the container. There is a good reason why labels say “do not incinerate” or “do not mix with bleach.” |
| 5. | Do you have used motor oil or used oil filters? Take them to a used oil collection site or place them curbside for pickup. |
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Locations
For Elk Grove residents, there are two facilities that can be used free of charge.
| Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station* 8491 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 379-0500 |
North Area Recovery Station* 4450 Roseville Road North Highlands, CA 95660 (916) 875-5555 |
| Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ABOP (antifreeze, batteries, oil latex paint) |
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
At both facilities, maximum of 15 gallons of liquid or 150 lbs. of solid material accepted. Residents disposing of more than the allowable amount will be charged a minimum of $25 per drop-off.
If you are a business and wish to dispose of your hazardous waste, please contact either facility at the numbers listed above to make an appointment.PLEASE SEE CHARTS BELOW FOR ACCEPTABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS.
Please follow these guidelines when preparing to drop-off HHW at the facilities:
- Keep products in their original containers. Do not mix products. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. Label materials that are not in their original containers.
- Place leaking containers in a large plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Secure products upright in cardboard box so that they do not tip over in transport.
- Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported in car passenger compartment.
- Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame, or ignition. Do not smoke.