Guide to North Coast recycling and disposal
Moving out of an apartment? Cleaning out the garage? Or just want to get back the redemption value on all of your bottles and cans? It can be difficult navigating the sea of what can be recycled and where on the North Coast. Here is a short list of some of the top recycling and disposal questions and where to go for more information.
Bottles and Cans
In January of 2016, Ontario-based RePlanet closed 17 of its 19 recycling centers in Sonoma County. These were locations where consumers could redeem the CRV or California Redemption Value, imposed on purchases of items like mineral water, soda and beer in cans and bottles.
Currently, seven redemption centers remain in Sonoma County, 10 in Mendocino County and eight in Lake County.
Check out our map to find one near you.
Visit calrecycle.ca.gov to find the latest updates on centers added to the list.
Unused or expired medicine
Old medicine poses both an environmental and community hazard and should be disposed of with great care.
Check out our map of drop off locations near you.
Visit safemedicinedisposal.org for updates.
Don't live near a drop-off location? The F.D.A. also has a list of recommendations available on how to safely dispose of certain medications.
Hazardous Materials
In Mendocino County…
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused hazardous household materials through their HazMobile Program in Mendocino and Lake counties. Drop off waste every Tuesday, Wednesday and second Saturday of the month at the HazMobile base, 3200 Taylor Dr., Ukiah, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or at various locations around Mendocino and Lake counties, listed on their websites.
Items accepted: motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, gasoline, solvents, paint thinner, oil-based paint, latex paint, auto and household batteries, toxic cleaners, fluorescent, light tubes, PCB-containing ballasts, acids, bases, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals and medication. There is a charge for compressed gas cylinders.
Not accepted: explosives, ammunition, radioactive wastes, medical waste and compressed gas cylinders larger than 5 gallons.
Collection is free to households within daily load limit of 15 gallons per vehicle per day, measured by container size.
Businesses must make appointment and pay a fee per gallon.
For more information or to make an appointment, call the Recycling Hotline at 468-9704.Service of Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority
In Sonoma County…
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency accepts unused hazardous household waste at their household toxics facility and through their mobile collection programs.
Sonoma County residents can drop off hazardous materials Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Central Disposal Site Household Toxics Facility (500 Mecham Rd., Building 5, Petaluma). There is no cost to residents. Bring your ID to prove residency.
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, also lists a rotating number of sites around the county for pick up has a toxics pick up service Wednesdays, by appointment. Allow several weeks' advance notice. To make an appointment, call (707) 795-2025/toll-free (877) 747-1870
Items accepted: fungicides; insecticides; pesticides; pool chemicals; propane cylinders 5 gallons and smaller; weed killers; aerosol sprays; asbestos; batteries; cleaners; fire extinguishers; fluorescent lamps; medications; nail polish & remover; syringes/needles; antifreeze ; auto batteries; automatic transmission ?uid; brake ?uid; engine cleaners; flares; fuel such as butane, diesel, gasoline, kerosene & lamp oil; oil & ?lters; power-steering ?uid; flammable liquids & solids; glues; paint; paint thinners ; photo chemicals; solvents; treated wood; wood ?nishes
Motor oil/filter pickup
Motor oil can be picked up in Sonoma County curbside by calling your local garbage company. You will be provided with a free oil recycling kit.
You can also redeem the 10-cent tax imposed for each quart of motor oil sold in California at California Certified used oil collection centers. To search for locations visit calrecycle.ca.gov.
For more information on how to package used oil, visit recyclenow.org.
Electronics
Electronics contain a variety of materials, including metals that can be recovered for recycling and hazardous chemicals.
Examples include TVs, office equipment, kitchen appliances, household and bath appliances, computer equipment and consumer electronics.
Working electronics can be donated at many local thrift stores, including the Goodwill, or at the Computer Recycling Center (3227 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, (707) 570-1600 / (888) 887-3372, www.crc.org). Be sure to clear personal information from your computer before donating.
Large broken electronics can be dropped off at annual drop off sites listed on the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency site.
Small electronics like alarm clocks, home printers, cell phones, answering machines or radios can be recycled in your blue recycling bin. Household electronic devices cannot be larger than two feet and all batteries must be removed.
Visit recyclenow.org/toxics/electronics for more details.
Furniture and other bulky items
Have you ever seen a used mattress or couch dumped on the side of a road? Well, we all know how not to dispose of these items. But how do you properly get rid of these bulky items when they are no longer of use?
Residential garbage company customers in certain areas are provided with bulky item collection. Items such as mattresses, appliances, furniture and electronics that cannot fit into your garbage can or that need special handling will be picked up by appointment by your garbage company.
Garbage company customers in Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor and most of the unincorporated areas receive bulky item collection as part of their regular garbage service. Some towns offer free large item pick up days, others require you call in advance and will impose a small fee
Visit recyclenow.org/recycling/bulky_items for more information
Other stuff?
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency has an entire website devoted to how to safely dispose of everything, from old fluorescent lights to wooden pallets, they spell out the specifics. Beyond recycling, visit the site to obtain tips on how to reduce waste in general and compost.
Here are some of their recommendations:
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