Household Hazardous Waste (HWW) Collection Facility

Serving residents and small businesses in the MRWMD service area including:
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.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is any hazardous waste generated incidental to owning or maintaining a residence, vehicle, or yard. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash, storm drain, or sewer.

What You Can Drop Off
Products containing hazardous ingredients and labeled with words such as “danger,” “warning,” “caution,” “poison,” “flammable,” or “corrosive.” Examples of these include:

• Paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives
• Auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries
• Household batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, cleaners and sprays
• Pesticides, fertilizers and other garden products
• Sharps: needles, syringes, lancets. Information on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.

What You Can’t Drop Off
The following are not accepted in our program: asbestos containing material, explosives (including ammunition, fireworks, and marine flares), radioactive material, medical and laboratory waste, fluorescent light ballasts, capacitors and transformers containing PCBs, and compressed gas tanks larger than 5 gallons. For information on how to dispose of these items, call the Monterey County Health Department (831) 755-4511.

Drop-off Limit
Residents of the District may bring up to 15 gallons or 125 lbs of household hazardous waste per turn-in when properly prepared for transport.

Home Depot Accepts Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs for Recycling at all US Stores

Proper Transport
All products must be packaged in sturdy, non-leaking, closed containers not larger than 5 gallons. Keep products in original containers. If a product does not have its original label, label it yourself if you're sure of the contents.
Don't mix products together. Make sure products are properly sealed to prevent leaks and spills. If a container is leaking, secure it in a secondary leak-proof container. Place containers in sturdy boxes (do not double stack containers) in the trunk of your vehicle and away from driver and passengers.

Bring your materials to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
(next door to the Last Chance Mercantile)
14201 Del Monte Blvd.
2 miles north of Marina

Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Closed on Sundays and these holidays:
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

Fees
Residents within the District’s service area may turn in household hazardous waste for FREE. Small businesses located within the District service area are charged based on the cost of processing. Small business HHW checklist and fee schedule (PDF).
Call 831-384-5313 for more information.
Please be prepared to show identification.


What makes our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program different?
Our program began in 1987 and was one of the first household hazardous waste collection facilities in the State. Today, our innovative program reuses or recycles nearly 60% of the incoming hazardous products collected from District residents.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Since the majority of the household hazardous waste brought to the facility is still in
its original container, and in reusable condition, the District makes these products available to the community at the Last Chance Mercantile.

Products usually available include latex and oil-based paint, stains, varnish, cleaners, waxes, and adhesives. Most products are available FREE of charge.

Recycling
Many of the items we receive are sent off site to be recycled including car batteries, used motor oil and filters, fluorescent lights, televisions and computer monitors.

What about hazardous waste from businesses?
Small businesses, schools and non-profit organizations located within the District boundaries are classified as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG) if they generate less than 27 gallons or 220 lbs. of hazardous waste per month. Organizations classified as CESQGs are eligible to utilize the MRWMD hazardous waste collection program with the following conditions:

• Businesses must call in advance for an appointment. Call 384-5313 ext. 27 to schedule an appointment and receive approval to participate in the program.
• Businesses must be located within the MRWMD service area. Proper ID is required.
• Businesses must pay a fee to offset the cost of processing their materials. A rate sheet will be sent when you have made your appointment or may be downloaded from the District website.

Household Cleaners Recipes
Household Cleaners Recipes