Hazardous Recycling and Waste Disposal

 

Many common items we use at home, at work, and at school are toxic and create harmful environmental and human health impacts. These materials should never go in your carts and bins. 

Battery Recycling

Batteries contain lead and toxic heavy metals. In California, it is illegal to dispose of batteries in carts and bins. Batteries create significant fire risk in our collection trucks and at processing facilities. 

Lithium Batteries: Always read the labels on your batteries to confirm if they are lithium. Lithium batteries must be taped on both ends before recycling to minimize fire risk.   

If you live in a single-family home, place small household batteries in a clear, sealed bag and set them on top of your blue recycling cart lid weekly on your normal service day. Please tape the ends of lithium batteries. The recycling driver will collect batteries separately. If you notice your driver is not collecting your batteries, please call RecycleSmart at 925-906-1801 or email authority@recyclesmart.org to let us know. Single-family homes can also set batteries out on the bi-annual Reuse Day, including auto batteries. Auto batteries are only accepted on the Reuse Day, not weekly.

Residents may also drop off batteries for free at our local retail partners listed below and can take batteries to Central San’s HHW Facility in Martinez. 

Apartments, Condos, and Businesses: Drop off batteries for free at one of our local partner retail locations (tape both ends of lithium batteries before recycling):

  • Alamo – CVS/Pharmacy, 3158 Danville Blvd.
  • Blackhawk – CVS/Pharmacy, 3420 Camino Tassajara
  • Danville – CVS/Pharmacy, 650 San Ramon Valley
  • Danville – Danville Music, 115 Town and Country Dr.
  • Danville – Walgreen’s, 611 San Ramon Valley
  • Lafayette – CVS/Pharmacy, 3625 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
  • Lafayette – Ace Hardware, 3311 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
  • Moraga – Ace Hardware, 1409 Moraga Rd.
  • Moraga – CVS/Pharmacy, 1480 Moraga Rd. #D
  • Moraga – CVS/Pharmacy, 580 Moraga Rd.
  • Orinda – CVS/Pharmacy, 50 Moraga Way
  • Walnut Creek – CVS/Pharmacy, 1123 S. California Blvd.
  • Walnut Creek – CVS/Pharmacy, 1914 Tice Valley Blvd.
  • Walnut Creek – CVS/Pharmacy, 738 Bancroft Rd.
  • Walnut Creek – Rite Aid, 1526 Palos Verde Mall
  • Walnut Creek – Ace Hardware, 2044 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Electronics

Your unwanted and obsolete electronics and appliances are one of the fastest growing waste streams. When discarded in landfills, these items not only lock up components that contain valuable and reusable natural resources, but they also contain toxic chemicals that can contaminate soil and groundwater. 

  • Single Family Residents:
    • Set out electronics curbside on the bi-annual Reuse Day
    • Call Republic Services at (925) 685-4711 to schedule a curbside e-waste pickup for a fee
    • Take electronics to a local, specialized e-waste facility for FREE: Concord Recycling Center or Rapid Recycle 
  • Multi-Family Tenants and Owners/Managers:
    • Property Owners/Managers may call Republic Services at (925) 685-4711 to schedule an e-waste pickup for a fee
    • Take electronics to a local, specialized e-waste facility for FREE: Concord Recycling Center or Rapid Recycle 
  • Businesses  
    • Call Republic Services at (925) 685-4711 to schedule an e-waste pickup for a fee
    • Take electronics to a local, specialized e-waste facility for FREE: Concord Recycling Center or Rapid Recycle 

Oil/Anti-freeze/filter Options

Single Family Home Residents: Request a used motor oil disposal kit by calling Republic Services at (925) 685-4711. Two (2) gallons max per pickup.

Multifamily Properties and Commercial Businesses: Take motor oil to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Martinez. 

Many auto service shops, auto parts stores and oil change services accept used motor oil and oil filters for recycling (call ahead).  

Pharmaceuticals

California requires manufacturers of medications to provide free and convenient disposal of their products. Click here to find a location near you.

Medical Sharps

California requires manufacturers of needles and other covered products to provide free and convenient disposal of their products. Click here to request your FREE mail-back box. 

Free Local Drop-Off: This program is for individuals only. Use by residential care facilities, doctors’ offices, veterinarians, and other commercial generators is not permitted.

Improper management of discarded needles can pose a health risk to the public and waste workers. Dispose of used medical sharps in a red plastic sharps disposal container at one of these locations:

  • Alamo Sheriff’s Substation – 150 Alamo Plaza, Suite C.
  • Lafayette Fire Station – 3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
  • Moraga Fire Station – 1280 Moraga Way
  • Orinda Police Department – 22 Orinda Way
  • Walnut Creek Fire Station – 1050 Walnut Avenue
  • Walnut Creek City Hall – 1666 North Main Street
  • Rossmoor Gateway Building – 1001 Golden Rain Road (For Rossmoor residents only)
  • Danville Police Department – 510 La Gonda Way

The hosting organizations listed above are going out of their way to help their communities. Therefore, do not, under any circumstances, leave sharps, medications, or any other products on their property. Doing so could jeopardize the viability of these collection programs. 

Light Bulbs

How to dispose of light bulbs depends on which type of light bulb(s) you have. Some light bulbs contain hazardous substances such as mercury, lead and arsenic, which are harmful to human health and the environment, even in small quantities. Light bulbs containing these substances should never be placed in any carts, bins or dumpsters.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

Single-Family Home Residents: Place CFLs in a clear bag and put the bag on the ground next to your blue recycling cart each week for collection. The driver will pick them up seperately.

Commercial and Multi-Family: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility in Martinez. For more information visit www.CentralSan.org.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulb

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility in Martinez. For more information visit www.CentralSan.org.

Fluorescent Tubes, High Intensity Discharge Bulbs and Neon Signs

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility in Martinez. For more information visit www.CentralSan.org.

Incandescent and Halogen Bulbs

Landfill (trash) cart or bin.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste should never be thrown in the trash or washed down drains. 

Hazardous waste including paint, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, cooking oil and much more should be taken to the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s HHW facility at 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez. Call 1-800-646-1431 for information and hours or visit the district’s website at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Treated Wood Waste

Where can I dispose of Treated Wood Waste (TWW) such as railroad ties and pressure treated wood? 

  • TWW is considered a hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. The following facilities are authorized by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to accept TWW. Please contact the facility before taking TWW to them for disposal.
  • At this time, Household Hazardous Waste facilities are not able to accept Treated Wood Waste. 
  • For more information please visit the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s website Treated Wood Waste (TWW) | Department of Toxic Substances Control (ca.gov)