UPDATE: as of January 7, 2021

To encourage LA County residents to stay home, Household Hazardous/Electronic Waste Collection Events have been temporarily suspended starting January 16. We hope to resume this free service in the near future and will make another announcement when the program restarts.

For more information, please contact info@lacsd.org.

-Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts

 

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Due to the announcement of the suspension of HHW collection events, there will be no mobile, one-day events available to Torrance residents in the South Bay until services resume.

The City of Torrance encourages you to recycle your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronic Waste (E-Waste) at a permanent collection facility (S.A.F.E. Center) near you. SAFE Centers are open Saturdays and Sundays from 9am–3pm.

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DUE TO COVID-19, THERE ARE STRICT SAFETY RULES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO, AND LONG WAIT TIMES ARE ANTICIPATED.

COVID-19 SAFETY RULES
1. RESIDENTS MUST REMAIN IN THEIR VEHICLES AT ALL TIMES
2. FACE COVERINGS ARE MANDATORY AT ALL TIMES
3. MATERIALS MUST BE IN AN UNLOCKED TRUNK (STAFF WILL NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR OR ENTER THE VEHICLE’S CABIN)

ANY RESIDENTS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY RULES WILL BE TURNED AWAY – NO EXCEPTIONS. THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY AS WELL AS OUR STAFF’S SAFETY.

All of the Mobile Collection Events are still postponed. Please do not place household hazardous materials in the trash. Electronic waste (e-waste) may be scheduled for curbside collection by calling 1-800-773-2489 or by selecting Electronic Waste in the MyLA311 app.

TRANSPORTATION LIMIT: It is against the law to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste to collection sites. Please pack your waste properly to prevent tipping or spilling of the waste during transportation.

For specific information regarding permanent HHW collection centers, visit the L.A. City Sanitation website.

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ELECTRONICS AND HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

RECYCLING AND SAFE DISPOSAL

The following are examples of household hazardous waste products that may be found in and around your home:

Find out where to recycle used oil

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To Safely Recycle or Dispose of Electronic and Household Hazardous Waste:

1. Find the right drop-off locations.
2. Find a certified used oil collection center.
Many private businesses like gas stations, auto parts stores and auto repair shops, have been certified by the State to collect used motor oil from the general public and to reimburse residents 16 cents per gallon or a redeemable coupon. Torrance has about 20 participating locations.
3. Go to collection events. Visit our events calendar for upcoming events in your area.

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Preparing Household Hazardous Waste for Drop-off or a Collection Event

• Pack household hazardous waste in a cardboard box so that it does not spill during transport. Be prepared to leave your containers.
• Put like chemicals together. Separate unlike chemicals.
• Label materials that are not in their original containers.
• Make sure containers are not leaking and lids are tightly sealed.
• Put your box of household hazardous waste in the trunk of  your car, away from passengers during transport.
• At the collection site, trained personnel will ask you to remain in your car while they remove the household hazardous waste from your trunk.

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What Happens to Collected Household Hazardous Waste?

Paint is reused for the County’s anti-graffiti programs
Motor oil is made into lubricants, marine diesel fuel, supplemental fuel and tar by-products such as asphalt cover and re-refined motor oil.
Miscellaneous solvents are reused as supplemental fuel in the manufacture of cement
Electronics are broken down to their component parts (plastic, metals, etc.) and recycled into new products
Household hazardous waste that cannot be recycled or reused is carefully packed into special drums for proper disposal at specialized facilities.

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For Businesses
Most programs will not accept electronics or hazardous wastes from businesses. Businesses can contract directly with collectors licensed by the City or, if only small amounts are involved, businesses can sign up for the Small Quantity Generator Program available through the City of Los Angeles to all small businesses in LA County.

Visit www.lacity.org/SAN/cesqg.htm or call 800-988-6942 for more information

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SHARPS recycling is mandatory!

It is now law that SHARPS (syringes, needles, lancets, etc.) cannot be disposed as refuse and must be placed in a puncture-proof container before taking to a hazardous waste drop-off. For information on handling guidelines, free containers and additional drop off sites for SHARPS, call 888-CLEANLA or visit www.888CleanLA.com

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Alternative Household Cleaning Products
Try these easy alternatives to minimize household hazardous waste products. Most of these products are very common and are found in most household cabinets:

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Alternative Garden & Pet Products
Try these easy alternatives to minimize household hazardous products in your garden or on the lawn:

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Go to www.TorranceCA.gov/PublicWorks for full details.