Del Norte Solid Waste Management

CONTACT | FAQ'S | SITE MAP

What Are Hazardous Wastes?

Household hazarous wastes are any materials discarded from homes that may cause a human or environmental hazard when disposed of improperly. When disposed of improperly, these wastes can cause serious threats humans, wildlife and the environment. Free Household Hazardous Waste Roundups are held once a year. The next scheduled for September 8th for local businesses by appointment only and September 9th for local residents at the Del Norte County Transfer Station. Call 465-1100 for time of each event.

What are the Hazards?
Children and pets can be seriously harmed by eating, drinking, touching, or breathing toxic chemicals.
Garbage workers can be injured by exploding cans, splashing chemicals, and poisonous fumes.
Water used for drinking or irrigation is contaminated when the wastes seep into the ground.
Bacteria needed to break down sewage wastes are killed by these wastes when they enter the sewer system or your septic tank.

Did You Know?
One gallon of spilled motor oil can render one million gallons of water undrinkable. That is enough water to fill the Fred Endert Community Pool 20 times!

Proper Storage

Never leave hazardous products within reach of children.
Never mix chemicals. They can produce deadly gases and possibly explode.
Do not dispose of hazardous materials in the trash, sewer, storm drains, bodies of water, or on the ground.
Do not refill empty containers unless the label state this is OK.
Never remove product labels and always leave products in their original containers.
Purchase only what you will need. If you have extra, share with a neighbor.
Store in original containers way from food, pets, and children until a household hazardous waste event is held.

Recycled at the Del Norte County Transfer Station for FREE
Used motor oil	Used car batteries	Drained oil filters	Old antifreeze	Non-aerosol latex paint	TV's and Computer Monitors	Flourescent Light Tubes

Store all other household hazardous wastes for the FREE Annual Household Hazardous Waste Roundup, usually held in Summer. For more information call 465-1100.

Some Common Household Hazardous Wastes
Poisons	Batteries	Varnishes
Solvents	Battery Acids	Wood stains
Oxidizers	Oil-based Paint	Parafin Oil
Pesticides	Latex Paint	White Gas
Non-organic Fertilizers	Paint Strippers	Spot Removers
Household Cleaners	Oil Filters	Naval Jelly
Air Fresheners	Stains and Finishes	Drain Cleaners
Automotive Waxes	Flourescent Tubes	Fiberglass Resins
Disinfectants	Automobile Fluids	Grease
Metal Polishes	Tar	Methanol
Adhesives	Bases	Organic Solvents
Bleach	Polishes	Iodine
Turpentine	Aerosols	Medical Wastes
Makeup	Photographic Chemicals	Fingernail Polish
Fiberglass Resins	Swimming Pool Chemicals	Prescription Medicines
Ceramic Glazes	Organic Solvents	Iodine
This is not a complete list of Hazardous Wastes. For a more complete list, call 465-1100

Less Toxic Alternatives to Hazardous Wastes
Adhesives and Glues
For wood, china, paper, and other non-porous materials, use yellow or white carpenter's glue. For pasting arwork, use a waxer with paraffin. For mounting photos, use dry mounting tissues.
Aerosols
Use pump type sprays when possible.
Air Fresheners and Deodorizers
For a room, set out baking soda, white vinegar, or potpourri, simmer cinnamon and/or cloves, or pour pure vanilla on a cotton ball and set in a saucer. For carpets, sprinkle and vacuum baking soda. For the refrigerator, leave and open box of baking soda in the back; for cutting boards, let a paste of water and baking soda stand for fifteen minutes then wash. For a garbage disposal, grind lemons or pour baking soda into the disposal.
Cleaners, General Household
1 qt warm water + 1 tsp liquid soap + 1 tsp borax + 1/4 cup vinegar; dissolve 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt warm water or mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 cup warm water. For toilets, use 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon water. For windows, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar or 1 tbs lemon juice with 1 qt warm water in spray bottle.
Bleach
Use non-chlorine bleach, or 1/2 cup baking soda, white vinegar or borax per load. Cut usage in half by adding 1/2 cup baking soda. Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or any acid: together they produce deadly chloramine gas.
Batteries, Auto and Home
Trade in auto batteries when new ones are purchased. For household, buy rechargeable batteries. Automotive battery recycling is available at the Transfer Stations for free. Rechargeable batteries may be brought to Wal-Mart.
Pesticides
Instead of using pesticides, use pest deterrents. For information on pest deterrents and organic solutions to pests, call 465-1100.

Did You Know?

Peer Review

Technical information regarding alternatives to hazardous materials commonly used in the home.

CIWMB Used Oil & Hazardous Waste Program
The Used Oil and Household Hazardous Waste program develops and promotes alternatives to the illegal disposal of household hazardous waste and used oil for the protection of California's environment and the health of its inhabitants.

From Awareness To Action!
An online household hazardous waste management course.

Household Hazardous Waste Management
from the EPA.

Household Hazardous Wastes
The University of Missouri Outreach & Extension's Household Hazardous Waste Project (HHWP) provides assistance to communities for promoting source reduction and management of hazardous wastes.

King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program
A guide to minimizing household hazardous waste production, and how to dispose of it properly.

Rest in Peace: Safe Disposal
A guide to hazardous products around the home.

60% of the world's lead supply comes from recycled batteries.

Americans throw away enough used motor oil every year to fill 120 super tankers.

Recycling 1 ton of drained oil filters produces 1700 pounds of steel and recovers about 60 gallons of used oil.

Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority
1700 State Street Crescent City, CA 95531
dnswma@recycledelnorte.ca.gov
707-465-1100 707-465-1300 FAX