Important Information about the New Universal Waste Regulations

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are generated by several sectors of society, rather than a single industry. Effective February 8, 2006 households and small businesses are no longer allowed to put universal wastes in the trash.

Universal waste includes:

• all household batteries
• fluorescent and other mercury containing lamps*
• electronic items with a circuit board (for practical purposes, all electronics)
• non-empty aerosol cans
• mercury thermostats

The San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program collects these wastes from households and small businesses. More information about these wastes and the new regulations is available from The State of California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) or for frequently asked questions, DTSC document.

Residential disposal of hazardous waste Business disposal of hazardous waste Less–toxic alternatives Hazardous waste is handled by the Environmental Health Department, which is different from the Public Works Department, which RecycleWorks is in. Read on for safe disposal options, but remember that the best way to keep the environment healthy is to reduce your use of toxic materials in the first place.

* Unfortunately, (if changing to flourescent energy-saving light bulbs) regular, incandescent light bulbs are not recyclable.

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Options for residential hazardous waste disposal in San Mateo County

Items that you do not need an appointment to drop off

The items listed below are recyclable and can be disposed of without an appointment if these are the only items you have to get rid of. If you have additional items along with these to get rid of, see the section below to make an appointment. It is also illegal to put these items into the trash. For your convenience, there are several drop-off locations around the county. Please see list of drop-off locations (information provided by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department) or go to our searchable database.

Motor oil Oil filters Antifreeze Car batteries

Latex paint Fluorescent lamps (including compact fluorescents) Household batteries

Batteries only: Curbside Programs - some curbside programs accept batteries. If you are serviced by South San Francisco Scavenger, Coastside/Seacoast Disposal Company, or San Bruno Garbage Company, Inc., you can place your batteries in a small ziplocked bag and put the bag so that it is clearly visible, on top of the bottles and cans container.

Items that you do need an appointment to drop off

You need an appointment at a Hazardous Waste Collection Event to drop off the items listed below. Every week collections are held in a different city in San Mateo County. After making an appointment you will receive a confirmation card in the mail with the time, date and location. Make an appointment.

Cleaning supplies Photo chemicals Garden products (fertilizer, herbicide, pesticides) Hobby and pool chemicals Aerosols

Fire extinguishers Mercury products: thermometers, thermostats, etc. Oil-based paints, thinners and stains Plus items listed in the previous section

Electronics (Note: Electronics are not accepted at Hazardous Waste Events.)

There are several electronics recycling centers in San Mateo County. If the item is under 5 years old, it can often be donated to an electronics refurbishing/reuse program. For practical purposes, in terms of new regulations, it is illegal to throw out practically all electronics. Electronics recycling/reuse options.

Cell Phones and Rechargeable Batteries

Starting July 1st, 2006 two new waste recycling laws, AB 1125 and AB 2091, went into effect, requiring retailers to take back rechargeable batteries and cell phones for recycling. This legislation creates convenience and incentives for consumers: it's easy to drop off and recycle end-of-life batteries (and cell phones) at locations statewide, and you have the opportunity to do the right thing with your hazardous waste.

AB 2901 (Pavley, 2004) Cell Phone Takeback and Recycling The Cell Phone Recycling Act requires some of California's largest cell phone retailers to embrace the take-back/recycling model and collect used cell phones, at no cost to the consumer, to be reused, recycled or properly disposed.

AB 1125 (Pavley, 2005) Rechargeable Battery Takeback and Recycling The Rechargeable Battery Takeback and Recycling Act was modeled after the same take-back concept of the cell phone bill. AB 1125 requires all retailers that sell rechargeable batteries to accept back used rechargeable batteries at no cost to the consumer.

Hazardous waste disposal options for businesses

Very Small Quantity Generator Program (VSQG)
The county has a small quantity generator program to assist businesses that generate small quantities of universal waste.

A VSQG (per state law) is any business that generates less than 100 kilograms (about 220 pounds or 27 gallons) of hazardous waste per month. The VSQG Program is designed to provide an inexpensive hazardous waste disposal option to eligible businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.

Visit the VSQG webpage for details.

If you do not qualify for the VSQG program:
If your business generates more than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste per month, you will need to find the appropriate commercial hazardous waste management company (information provided by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department) to handle your material. Companies that provide this service may be found in the yellow pages or by contacting the County's hazardous waste department at 650–363–4305.

Toxics Reduction

Less toxic cleaning alternatives
Sustainable Gardening
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program