My Recycled Life — ‘SAFE’ Disposal of Haz-mat

I remember what recycling was like before many communities adopted curbside recycling. Until the 21st century, recycling was largely dependent on individuals saving their own paper, bottles, cans and metal, and periodically carting it all to a recycling center, getting a little money for what few pounds got turned in. What small change I earned came in handy for parking meters, bus fare, library fines, vending machines, coin-operated laundry equipment and pay phones (before cell phones took over).

Community curbside recycling programs have largely rendered such DIY recycling obsolete, although you’re still welcome to, if the money helps your budget. Today the communities around the Los Angeles Harbor area — Los Angeles, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Carson, Lomita, and Los Angeles County, too — offer curbside recycling. Put your cans, bottles, paper, and some types of plastic into your bin or bins, and your local municipality does the rest. 

Two major types of recyclable materials, though, still often require separate handling apart from routine curbside service. One is hazardous waste, “haz-mat” for short, and the other is unwanted electronic equipment (also known as e-waste). 

Haz-mat is any product that by law is too toxic to be disposed of as regular trash—including anything labeled as toxic, poison, flammable, combustible, irritant or corrosive. Some examples include pesticides, auto and household batteries, motor oil and filters, anti-freeze, paint, stain, solvents, varnish, pool chemicals and many household cleaning chemicals. 

Electronic waste or e-waste includes basically anything with a plug or batteries, including the batteries themselves: computers, printers, televisions, cell phones, VCR and DVR machines, radios, cables, video/electronic games, fax machines, lamps, turntables and speakers. 

If you reside anywhere in Los Angeles County (in either an incorporated or unincorporated area), you may take your haz-mat and e-waste to a SAFE Collection Center, managed by Los Angeles County Public Works, which provides a free drive-through drop-off location for e-waste and haz-mat. When I lived in the South Bay, I’d periodically load up my car with whatever haz-mat I’d want out of my house and take it to the center in San Pedro.

On my visits, I’ve found the line snaking along the access road may be long, so you may want to bring a magazine, or busy yourself with your phone, while you wait. When you get to the head of the line, you’ll be asked to pop your trunk. If your car’s so old the trunk doesn’t pop, pack your recyclables in a way you can hand them out the window like a takeout order, or hand the worker your trunk key. 

Some other things to know before you go:  the center asks that you obey COVID protocol —including staying home if you’re sick. There’s a limit of six electronic items per visit, and there’s a legal limit for haz-mat, 15 gallons or 125 pounds. Some unusual items the center accepts — things you might not even think of — include fluorescent light tubes and bulbs, aerosol cans, pharmaceutical drugs, and items that contain mercury.

Time:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday only (closed on holidays and rainy days)

Location:  SAFE Collection Center, 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Details: www.lacsd.org