Hazardous Material means as any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical and chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or environment. There are two types of generators of hazardous materials:
Commercial: Large and small-quantity generators* of hazardous materials such as automotive service stations, painters, dry cleaners, photographers, printers, etc. should contract for periodic disposal with a company specializing in such disposal. The two largest hazardous material collection and disposal companies in San Diego County are Asbury Environmental Services (800) 748-5744 and Safety Kleen Corp. (619) 401-3120. These companies can also make special pickups of any quantity of hazardous material for a charge.
Household: Smaller quantities of hazardous materials used exclusively on-site by a household can be properly disposed of for free at Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facilities.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists these as the most commonly used household hazardous waste products requiring special disposal:
HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
- Drain Openers
- Oven Cleaners
- Wood and Metal Cleaners and Polishers
- Toilet Bowl Cleaners
- General Purpose Cleaners
- Disinfectants
*Small quantity generators are entities (usually small businesses or non-profits) which generate 220 pounds or less of hazardous waste in a single month.
AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS
- Oil and Fuel Additives
- Grease and Rust Solvents
- Carburetor and Fuel Injection Cleaners
- Air Conditioning Refrigerants
- Starter Fluids
- Lubricating Fluids
- Radiator Fluids and Additives
- Waxes, Polishes and Cleaners
- Grease and Rust Solvents
- Body Putty
- Transmission Additives
HOME MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS
- Paints (liquid content)
- Paint Thinners
- Paint Strippers and Removers
- Stains, Varnishes and Sealants
- Adhesives
- Wood Preservatives
LAWN AND GARDEN PRODUCTS
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Fungicides
MISCELLANEOUS
- Batteries (all types)
- Pool Chemicals
- Fingernail Polish and Removers
- Photo Processing Chemicals
WHERE CAN I TAKE THE ABOVE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FOR PROPER DISPOSAL?
Santee contracts with one Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility to accept residents’ hazardous waste for free. Proof of residency (current driver’s license or utility bill) is required. The facility is:
Loads should not weigh more than 125 pounds or 15 gallons. No explosives, medical waste or business waste* is accepted at either site.
Sharps
Sharps are defined as hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multifamily residence or household. Sharps are to be placed in approved containers.
Waste Management, the City’s franchise Hauler, has authorized containers at their Buyback Center in El Cajon for Santee residents to drop off their sharpsfree of charge. The Buyback Center is located at 925 O’Connor Street, located just southwest of the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Johnson Avenue. Residents can transport these items in their own approved containers to this location and then place the containers into the authorized containers during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Waste Management employees are not authorized or allowed to handle sharps.
For more information, please call the City of Santee at (619) 258-4100 ext. 128.
RECYCLING USED ENGINE OIL AND FILTERS
Curbside
Santee homeowners with 3-cart trash service can have their used engine oil and filters picked up for free at the curb on the same day as their trash, recycling and yard waste. The oil and filters cannot be mixed with other contaminants or hazardous waste.
Customers must call Waste Management at least 24 hours before their regular trash pick up if they intend to set out oil or filters. Full plastic bottles of oil and plastic film bags containing oil filters are picked up and empty bottles and bags are left in their place.
To receive your initial oil bottles and bags or to schedule a pick up, call Waste Management at (619) 596-5100.
Drop-off
Santee has private, State-certified locations that accept up to 5 gallons of used engine oil a day for free from any person. The oil cannot be mixed with other contaminants or hazardous waste.
Most auto parts stores accept used oil. Call them before you arrive. For a complete list of certified centers and their phone numbers, please call (619) 258-4100 x 128.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?
The following are the most commonly asked questions about materials not on the list above:
Asbestos: Asbestos is often encountered during older home remodel projects – primarily in floor and ceiling tile removal. The suspect material should be tested to find out if it contains "friable" or "non-friable" asbestos. Friable means it is subject to fragmentation into tiny parts that can be inhaled or ingested. Friable asbestos is extremely hazardous. Non-friable asbestos remains intact and is not considered hazardous.
Four labs in San Diego County that test asbestos are:
Design For Health (619) 291-1777
HM Pitt Labs (619) 474-8548
JMR Environmental (619) 858-7260
Szaras Companies (619) 299-1203
If the asbestos is tested to be friable, an asbestos removal specialist should be called. Alliance Environmental is one company that removes friable asbestos (619) 640-0866. Watkins Contracting (858) 279-7516 is another.
Small quantities of friable asbestos are accepted at Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facilities if labeled and double-bagged.
If the asbestos has been tested as non-friable, it can be landfilled. San Diego Landfill Systems only accepts non-friable asbestos. Their phone number is (858) 541-2570.
Cooking Oil: Liquid cooking oil is not accepted by landfills and should be taken to a Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility. Used or unused cooking oil that has coagulated solid is acceptable by landfills. Large generators of cooking oil need to call Darling Delaware (858) 566-8600 for disposal.
Drums: Residents with large drums containing hazardous materials must contact one of the hazardous waste contractors above for disposal.
Fluorescent Lights: Fluorescent lights cannot be thrown in the trash and must be disposed of properly. The El Cajon Permanent Household Hazardous Waste facilitiy will accept the tubes if they are protectively wrapped.
Freon-Containing Appliances: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are not accepted at Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facilities but can be picked up by Waste Management by calling (619) 596-5100.
Medical Waste: Used hypodermic syringes should be taken to a hospital that accepts them. They must be placed in a sealed, unbreakable container prior to delivery. Residents should not handle other types of medical waste.
Tires: Tires can be recycled at most tire retail stores for a nominal fee. Tires are not accepted at any Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facilities.
For any other questions about hazardous material, please call (619) 258-4100 x128
Last updated date: 12/11/2012 11:39:07 AM