The State of California recently adopted new laws to simplify
the management of common hazardous wastes that are generated
by a wide variety of the public and businesses, and pose
a lower risk to people and the environment than other
hazardous wastes. These laws created the "Universal
Waste Rule" and refer to common, but hazardous
wastes.
The following
items are to be managed as Universal Waste when discarded,
and no longer placed in the trash, but taken to a Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Center for proper
disposal:
- Mercury Thermometer
- Batteries (carbon-zinc and alkaline [AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt, rechargeable [nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and small sealed lead used in security system alarms, computers, and toy vehicles], Mercuric Oxide and Silver Oxide [button-type used in watches, calculators, and hearing aids])
- Fluorescent Lamps (tubes and compact types)
- Novelty items that contain batteries (singing greeting cards, flashing athletic shoes, jewelry)
- Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs such as televisions, computer monitors)
- Consumer Electronic Devices (flat-panel TVs and monitors, computers (CPUs), keyboards, cell and cordless phones, game consoles, stereos, microwaves, etc. - all items containing circuit boards)
The
Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Centers have been accepting
all these items in the past, except for Consumer Electronic
Devices, also known as electronic waste or e-waste.
Effective January 1, 2006, electronics are included
including computers and laptops. Residents are advised to
take precautionary measures regarding security issues with
computers (CPU's) and laptops. It is the responsibility of
residents to remove or destroy any personal and valuable information
from the hard drives. The County of Orange will be responsible
for the proper disposal of these items but will not insure
the security of information.
The hours of operations at the Centers
are Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Centers
will continue to service households only, no business waste
is accepted. Businesses are encouraged to call the State of
California Department of Toxics and Substance Control at (800)
72TOXIC or visit the website at www.dtsc.ca.gov
or the County of Orange Integrated Waste Management Department
website at www.oclandfills.com.
Residents may also contact the County of Orange at (714) 834-6752
County
of Orange Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers
Huntington Beach
17121 Nichols Street (at Rainbow Disposal)
Near Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue, use Gate 6
Anaheim
1071 N. Bluegum Street (at CVT Recycling Center)
At the corner of La Palma Avenue and Bluegum Street.
Goodwill also offers a safe and easy way to dispose of your
electronics, working or non-working. As, a state certified
collector, Goodwill accepts and recycles all electronics.
Computers, Printers, Keyboards, Cell phones, Televisions,
Radios and more!
If the donated computers can be fixed, Goodwill collects and refurbishes the
computers and peripheral equipment, then sells them at valuable prices. Complete
systems and accessories are featured at Goodwill Computer Works in Santa Ana, 800-4GOODWILL.
Many common products that we use in our daily lives contain potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when disposed of. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains, or onto the ground. Chemicals in illegally disposed hazardous waste can be released into the environment and contaminate our air, water, and possibly the food we eat. And by throwing hazardous waste in the garbage, you can cause additional hazards to your garbage handler.
The bottom line is that we must keep hazardous materials out of the trash by bringing them somewhere to be recycled or safely disposed such as a household hazardous waste collection facility. www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/Info/or call the City of Cypress at (714) 229-6680.