Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program
It’s the Law!
It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash, storm drains, or sewer. Hazardous and other prohibited materials, as defined under California law and regulations, may not be disposed at the Monterey Peninsula Landfill or the Materials Recovery Facility. Accepted materials can be received at the MRWMD Household Hazardous Waste Facility, from residents and small businesses (CESQGs) from within the District’s service area.
*Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes waste – chemical and solid – generated incidental to maintaining a residence, small business, vehicle and yard. It carries labels which indicate that it is harmful to humans, animals and/or the environment.
Residents: 15 gallons or 125 lbs per turn-in
Small Businesses: 27 lbs. or 220 lbs. per month
Please prepare and pack your material for safe transport.
Small businesses, schools and non-profit organizations located within the MRWMD Service Area* that generate less than 27 gallons or 220 lbs. of hazardous waste per month are classified as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG).
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes waste – chemical and solid – generated incidental to maintaining a residence, small business, vehicle and yard. It carries labels which indicate that it is harmful to humans, animals and/or the environment.
Household Hazardous Waste also includes other types of regulated waste including, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronic waste, and health care products (medication and sharps).
It is against State law to dispose of your batteries and fluorescent light bulbs in the trash or your curbside recycle bin. They contain harmful material for human health and the environment.
The good news is that they can be recycled. Household Batteries and Fluorescent Light Bulbs can be brought to the HHW Collection Facility or dropped off at designated sites in your community for recycling. Visit www.whatgoeswhere.info to find drop-off locations.
In accordance with California State law, electronic waste, including T.V.s and monitors, may not be disposed of in the trash.
MRWMD hosts an electronic waste recycling program Monday through Saturday. It is located behind the Last Chance Mercantile, and is free to the public.
Medications should never be flushed down the drain.
The District can receive “over the counter” medication and medical sharps (safely sealed in a sharps container and/or sealed and labeled plastic bottle).
Many products and supplies used for maintenance of home, auto, landscape and business contain potentially harmful material and toxic chemicals. You can reduce the use of and exposure to these materials by purchasing safe, durable, nontoxic products for these environments (www.greenseal.org and www.calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/), or in some cases making your own.
More and more businesses are adopting green procurement policies which prescribe the use and purchase of safe and earth-friendly products. Samples can be found at www.calrecycle.ca.gov/buyrecycled/Policies/
Consider becoming a Monterey Bay Green Business.
For Additional Information:
Monterey County Health Dept. Environmental Division: www.mtyhd.org
California Department of Toxic Substances Control: www.dtsc.ca.gov
Cal Recycle – Extended Producer Responsibility: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/
Green Seal Organization: www.greenseal.org
E-Waste Recycling: www.erecyclingofcalifornia.com
California Product Stewardship Council: www.CalPSC.org
*MRWMD Service Area Includes the following jurisdictions:
Moss Landing, Castroville, Marina, Seaside, Del Rey Oaks, Sand City, Monterey, Monterey-Salinas Highway area, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Unincorporated Carmel, Carmel Valley, Carmel Highlands, and Big Sur
Links
Staff Contacts
HHW Program Manager
Jimmy Perez
Household Hazardous Waste Supervisor
831-264-6386
Facility Staff
831-264-6386
Facility Hours
Monday – Saturday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.