Category: Bulletin Board

Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD) will no longer able to accept any amount of treated wood waste (TWW) starting January 1st due to a change in state regulations overseen by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). DTSC defines TWW as wood treated with chemical preservatives to prevent wood rot and decay from weathering, insects, and fungus. Examples of TWW include treated decking, fence posts, pilings, landscaping timber, sill plates, and guardrails.

TWW is considered hazardous waste and is accepted only at Class I Hazardous Waste Landfills that manage the most toxic materials. As a Class III Non-Hazardous Municipal Solid Waste Landfill that manages the least toxic materials, MRWMD will reject all loads containing TWW. Any loads found containing TWW will be subject to return to the customer, penalties, and potential criminal violations of illegal disposal of hazardous materials by a regulatory agency.

There are two TWW disposal options moving forward: (1) Arrangements can be made for pick-up by a certified hazardous waste contractor known by CalRecycle or (2) TWW can be taken directly to Class I Hazardous Waste Landfills.

Where is the closest Class I Landfill?

Clean Harbors Buttonwillow
2500 W Lokern Rd,
Buttonwillow, CA 93206
(661) 762-6200

Why is TWW Toxic?

According to the DTSC, TWW contains hazardous chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Arsenic, chromium, copper, creosote, and pentachlorophenol are among the chemicals used to preserve wood and are known to be toxic or carcinogenic. Harmful exposure to these chemicals may result from touching, inhaling or ingesting TWW particulate (e.g., leaching liquids, sawdust and smoke).

Why can’t I take TWW to MRWMD anymore?

The statute (HSC 25150.7) and regulations (22 CCR 67386.1 et seq.) that allowed TWW to be accepted at MRWMD due to alternative management standards are due to expire after December 31, 2020. Starting January 1^st, 2021, all TWW managed in California will have to be stored and manifested as hazardous waste and transported to Class I hazardous waste landfills for disposal. For more information, visit DTSC’s TWW information page.

The District is accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for the operation of the Last Chance Mercantile in partnership with the Monterey Regional Waste Management District.  Should your organization be interested in submitting a response to this RFQ, please do so no later than 1 p.m. on Monday, November 30. The RFQ can be found here.

If desired, staff at the Monterey Regional Waste Management District will make themselves available to answer any questions you may have to assist in the formation of your response. We also welcome any requests for tours of the facility.

Per the RFQ, please direct all future correspondence related to this RFQ to lcmrfq@mrwmd.org.

The Public Hearing is for the purpose and intent of considering rate changes for specific material disposal, as well as an implementation of a fee for the processing of single stream recyclables for member agencies served by Greenwaste Recovery. Read more here.

Monday, May 25, we will close all operations at 2 p.m.;
including landfill, MRF, recycling and landscape product sales.

*Bulk* landscape materials will be available again beginning Saturday, May 9, including: wood chips, compost and top soil.
The bulk products are sold at the scales only by the ton (not sold in cubic yards).
Pick-up truck bed or larger loads only. We will provide loading services. (No hand-loading permitted.) Please bring a tarp and tie downs to secure your load.

Safety is our priority! Please follow all COVID-19 protocols including  wearing face coverings, social distancing and proper hand santizing.

For product and purchasing information see https://regenmonterey.org/landscapeproducts/

Per Monterey County Order #200427, as of Thursday, April 30th everyone must wear a face covering, including when visiting the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. Thank you for abiding by this requirement for your safety and that of our employees.

Notice to Postpone Self-Hauling

As an essential government service, Monterey Regional Waste Management District disposal and recycling facilities remain open during the County’s Mandatory Shelter in place orders to assist you. However, during these challenging times, we ask that you consider whether your trips to our facilities are “essential.” If trips are essential, please maintain social distancing and sanitation standards for your health and the health of our staff. Thank you and stay safe.

To all of our Last Chance Mercantile Customers, we always appreciate your patronage and now your understanding of our need to close to address your safety and the safety of our employees. We look forward to reopening, as soon as it is safe to do so.
Please check our operating hours for the essential  disposal and recycling services we are offering at this time.

At the June 21, 2019 meeting of the MRWMD Board of Directors, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Board will hold a scheduled public hearing to consider changes to the minimum charge for refuse disposal, currently $15 and proposed fee $20; and yard waste recycling, currently $7 and proposed fee $10. More information regarding the proposed action can be found here or call (831) 384-5313.

Don’t Miss MRWMD’s Annual HHW Collection Event , Saturday, June 29th
Bring your household, paint and garden products, electronics and more; including toxics, paints, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics and more during the event, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MPC’s Parking Lot A, at 980 Fremont St.