Hazardous Facts about the Contents in your Household
– By #Coastal Rolloff
Safely Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household waste is considered hazardous if it has “corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients.” Just about everyone has some sort of material in their home or garage that fits some part of that description. Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are not allowed in any garbage container including Coastal Rolloff containers.
What products are considered HHW?
Common household items that are considered to be hazardous materials are found in homes, garages, or even outdoor sheds.
Home
- Batteries
- Consumer electronics
- Drain cleaner
- Fluorescent lamps
- Laundry bleach
- Oven cleaners
- Smoke detectors
- Thermostats
Garage
- Antifreeze
- Fuel
- Motor oil
- Paint, strippers, removers, and thinners
Outdoor shed
- Pest control products
- Pesticides, herbicides, and rodenticides
- Pool chemicals
For a complete list of HHW visit Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) site of San Luis Obispo County (SLO).
Where are the HHW drop off locations in SLO County?
The drop off limit is 15 gallons or 125 pounds, and there is no charge to SLO County residents. Always keep HHW products in their original containers with their labels, and before loading the materials in your vehicle call ahead to the HHW facility to confirm their receiving hours for HHW materials.
Cold Canyon Landfill
2268 Carpenter Canyon Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805-549-8332
HHW Hours: Friday and Saturday 11AM to 3PM
Chicago Grade Landfill
2290 Homestead Rd
Atascadero, CA 93465
Phone: 805-466-2985
HW Hours: Saturday 11AM to 3PM
Heritage Ranch Community Services District
4860 Heritage Ranch Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: 805-227-6230
HHW Hours: Friday 12 Noon to 2PM
The Morro Bay - Cayucos Wastewater Treatment Plant
160 Atascadero Road
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Phone: 805-772-6261
HHW Hours: Saturday 11AM to 3PM
Nipomo Household Hazardous Waste Facility
509 Southland
Nipomo, CA 93444
Phone: 805-929-1133
HHW Hours: Saturday 11AM to 3PM
Paso Robles Landfill
900 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: 805-238-2028
HHW Hours: Saturday 11AM to 3PM
To read more, visit the SLO County HHW locations website.
The Dangers of Improper Disposal of HHW
Improper HHW disposal includes pouring wastes down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them in a trash container. Discarded household hazardous wastes have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems and present hazards to children and pets.
Consider this:
- Each person in the United States produces an average of 4 pounds of household hazardous waste each year for a total of about 530,000 tons/year.
- The average U.S. household generates more than 20 pounds of HHW per year.
- As much as 100 pounds can accumulate in the home, often remaining there until the residents move out or do an extensive cleanout.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle are all important tools to safely manage household hazardous waste. Consumers can reduce their HHW needs by simply exploring the use of alternative methods or products that don’t contain hazardous ingredients, and by continually monitoring the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances.
If you have questions about Coastal Rolloff services in SLO County, please contact us online or call 805-549-8332.
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