Household Hazardous Wastes ( HHWs ) are materials commonly used in and around residential households that contain toxic substances. These include household cleaning products (drain cleaners, oven cleaners, floor and furniture polish); painting products (paints, stains, finishing products and thinners); automotive products (motor oil, old gasoline, anti-freeze, car batteries, transmission, brake and steering fluids, solvents); garden products (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides); hobby supplies (solvents, photochemicals); and pool supplies (Chlorine).

In an effort to reduce the amount of HHW requiring treatment and disposal, consider alternatives, only buy what you need, and make an effort to use all that you buy. All of these products should be properly stored in dry, cool, well ventilated areas, out of reach of children.  For those of you on the Monterey Peninsula, take the unused HHW material to the HHW Drop Off Center at The Monterey Regional Waste Management District.

Why is it important to keep HHW out of landfills?

Although new landfills have liners and leachate collection systems, it is illegal for area landfills to accept HHW. It is vitally important to keep HHWs out of landfills, where they may affect water quality and impact area resources. Water infiltrating buried waste can collect a variety of harmful substances that may be present, and carry them into ground and surface water supplies as landfill leachate.

Transporting and Labeling Hazardous Waste

Caution should be taken when transporting hazardous waste. If possible, use the original product container or label the container if the contents are different from the label on the container. Cover all containers with a secure fitting lid and pack containers upright in a leak-proof box.

Businesses or individuals who generate more than this amount are required to use a licensed hazardous waste hauler to manifest and transport their hazardous waste. Residents of the District may bring up to 15 gallons or 125 lbs of household hazardous waste per turn-in for FREE when properly prepared for transport in containers no larger than 5 gallons each.

Explosives, biohazardous and radioactive materials are not considered HHW and are not accepted at HHW collection facilities and events.

Where can I take my Household Hazardous Waste for safe disposal?

On the Monterey Peninsula:

Monterey Regional Waste Management District
14201 Del Monte Blvd
Marina, CA 93933
(831) 384.5313
www.mrwmd.org

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.

In the Salinas Valley:

Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority
139 Sun Street
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 424.5535
www.svswa.org

Hours
Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed on Sunday and these holidays:
Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

Johnson Canyon Landfill
31400 Johnson Canyon Road
Gonzales, CA 93901
(831) 675.2165
www.svswa.org

Hours
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

Closed on Sunday and these holidays:
Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.