Household Hazardous Waste for Single Family Residents

Household hazardous wastes are any materials discarded from homes that may cause a human or environmental hazard when disposed of improperly, these wastes can cause serious threats to humans, wildlife and the environment. Hazardous, paints, pesticides, cleaning products, old medications, sharps and other chemicals are illegal to put in the Trash or pour down a drain or gutter because they will contaminate the soil, drinking water and air.

Hazardous waste can be one or more of the following: toxic, flammable, corrosive, and reactive. (We encourage you to consider non-toxic alternatives for some of the products you use.)

Again, it is illegal to throw these items in the Trash or pour down the sink or gutter. Businesses with hazardous waste should contact Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority to learn about the common examples of hazardous waste and how to legally, safely and properly dispose of these items.

• Car and truck products, such as motor oil and filters, transmission fluids, lubricants and antifreeze
• Cleaning supplies, solvents, flammable solids and liquids, nail polish remover and detergents
• Drain openers
• Fertilizers
• Fire extinguishers
• Furniture and metal polishes
• Latex and oil based paint and paint-related materials, such as stains, thinners, varnishes, roofing tar, adhesives, joint compounds, and other petroleum-based products
• Lawn care products, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers
• Lighter fluid
• Photo-chemical liquids, acids, bases, neutral oxidizers and swimming pool chemicals
• Propane tanks and aerosol cans (aerosol cans can be recycled if empty)
• Any other materials or products containing volatile chemicals that can catch fire, react or explode, or that are corrosive or toxic

• Keep hazardous products on high shelves or in locked cabinets out of reach from children and pets at all times.
• Never store hazardous products in food containers.
• Keep hazardous products in separate containers - never combine them to save space.
• NEVER mix chemicals. Mixing even small amounts of chemicals can have dangerous results.
• Do not refill empty containers unless the label states it is acceptable to do so.
• Never remove product labels and always leave products in their original containers.
• Avoid storing hazardous products near sources of heat or flames
• Purchase only what you will need and share extras with a friend of neighbor.
• Make sure containers are clearly labeled, undamaged and sealed tightly.
• Be aware of leaky containers, poor ventilation and the smell of fumes or chemicals.
• Know where flammable materials are in your home and know how to extinguish them.

Never throw away old medications. Medicine can end up in the wrong hands - or will actually get into the soil, creating an environmental hazard. And never flush your old medications or pour them down the sink, whether the medication is a liquid or a solid. Waste water treatment facilities are not properly equipped to remove the medicinal substances from the water. The result? A wide range of pharmaceuticals have been found in our rivers, lakes and drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently examining the potentially highly damaging effects of these substances on fish and wildlife.

The proper way to dispose of old medicine is to:

• Empty the medicine from its container into a plastic bag
• Mix the medicines in with kitty litter, old coffee grounds, or dirt
• Seal or tie the bag shut
• Place the bag in your Trash cart

California law prohibits the disposal of "sharps waste" in trash or recycling containers. All sharps waste must be transported to a collection center in an approved sharps container.

Sharps waste poses a threat to anyone it comes into contact with when disposed of improperly.

Home generated sharps waste includes:
Hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for medical purposes.

Collection Programs
Place home-generated sharps waste in biohazard containers. Biohazard containers are available for purchase at several local businesses in Crescent City. You can also order Pre- paid Mail-Back sharps containers. Please contact Del Norte Solid Waste Authority for more information regarding the correct disposal of sharps at (707)-465-1100.

FDA-approved sharps containers are sold at:

• Crescent Hay & Feed, 160 Elk Valley Road, Crescent City, CA
  (707) 464-6444
• Parkway Feed, 1645 Parkway Drive, Crescent City, CA
  (707) 464-6873
• Walgreens, 787 L Street, Crescent City, CA
  (707) 464-3674
• Wal-Mart, 900 E Washington Blvd., Crescent City, CA
  (707) 464-1452
• All Creatures Animal Hospital, 1380 Northcrest Dr., Crescent City, CA
  (707) 464-7448

Pre-paid Mail-back sharps containers can be ordered from:

• EnviroMed: (877) 340-2430
• XMED Disposal: (866) 735-9709
• GRP & Associates: (800) 207-0976
• Medasend: (800) 200-3581
• Sharps Compliance: (800) 772-5657
• Stericycle: (800) 355-8773 or (800) 527-0666
• WCM Home Sharps Disposal: (877) 436-5480

Look for precautionary statements on product labels such as Caution, Warning, Danger, and Poison to assist you in determining if an item is hazardous waste.

Caution means slightly toxic. If ingested, an ounce to a pint may be fatal to 150 pound adult.
Warning means moderately toxic. It may take a teaspoon to an ounce to be fatal.
Danger means highly toxic. A taste to a teaspoon could be fatal if ingested.
Poison means the most toxic and is highly dangerous!

Source: San Mateo County

CA Integrated Waste Management Board Information Line
(800) 553-2962

Department of Toxic Substances Control (to report hazardous waste violations only)
(800) 698-6942

Poison Control Center
(800) 876-4766

California Poison Action Line (800)222-1222

ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Hotline)
(888) 426-4435

Del Norte Humane Society
(650) 340-8200

To find out more about discarding and disposing of other house hold hazardous waste, you can call Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority about the Household Hazardous Waste Program.

Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority
1700 State St., Crescent City, CA 95531
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm
Phone: 707-465-1100 - Fax: 707-465-1300
Email: Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority