material recovery facility
Hazardous Waste Information
Waste Wizard
Type the name of a waste item and we will tell you if it is considered hazardous waste.
WHAT IS HAZARDOUS WASTE?
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes cleaners, paints, paint thinners, motor oils, gasoline, and pesticides. HHW may pose a threat to human health or the environment if it is not disposed of properly. HHW poses a threat because it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
Toxic
- Pesticides
- Expired medicines
- Solvents
- Paint strippers
Catches fire easily
- Gasoline
- Paints
- Solvents
Is Reactive or Unstable Enough to Explode or Release Toxic Fumes
- Acids
- Bases
- Ammonia
- Chlorine Bleach
Is Capable of Corroding Metal Containers (Such as Tanks, Drums and Barrels)
- Industrial Cleaning Agents
- Oven Cleaners
- Drain Cleaners
Universal Waste is a Form of Hazardous Waste but Not as Volatile
- TV’s and Computer Monitors
- Fluorescent Bulbs and Lamps
- Mercury-Containing Items: Thermostats, Switches and Relays
- Electronic Waste: Computers, Stereos, Radios, Telephones, Microwaves and Cell Phones
- Any Item Containing Metals Like Copper, Lead, Cadmium or Chromium
- Batteries (All types)
- Transformers and Ballast – PCB’s
Home-Generated Medical Waste
- Needles
- Lancets
- Syringes
- Other “Sharps”
properly disposing of needles and sharps
Every year, Americans use over one billion sharp objects in their homes to administer health care. These “sharps” include lancets, needles and syringes. In California it is illegal to disposal of sharps in the trash or recycling containers. In Nevada, it is not illegal to place needles in your trash container. However, isolating them in puncture resistant containers and dropping them off at the South Tahoe Refuse Transfer Station will reduce unnecessary exposure to our local solid waste workers and to workers at the regional landfill as well.
You can help prevent injury and protect our environment by following a few simple steps:
• When purchasing needles from your local pharmacy, either:
- If you cannot purchase storage containers, place and store used needles in a sturdy plastic container, such as a gallon orange juice container. Place a red bio-hazard sticker on it or mark Xs on it with a red marking pen. California law defines a sharps container as a rigid puncture-resistant container that, when sealed, is leak resistant and cannot be reopened without great difficulty.
- Do not break the needles off. They become less visible and are still an exposure risk if the container breaks
open. Recap the needles before placing them in the storage container. - Keep containers with sharp objects out of the reach of young children.
- When your container is 3/4 full, close it securely, using either the locking lid or duct tape. Forcing needles into a full container can cause injury.
- To dispose of the container:
Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will handle them separately and safely, or
hazardous & medical waste program
By Appointment Only! For appointments please
call (530) 542-8368.
Please call 1-2 days ahead as same day drop off is not guaranteed. Walk ins will not be accepted.
No Charge For:
- Hazardous Waste – Up to 20 gals per day, based on container size 5 gal or smaller containers, sealed with lids; label, if known No 55-gallon drums
- Electronic Waste
- Residential Medical Needles- Must be containerized in a PUNCTURE RESISTANT CONTAINER with a sealed lid marked prominently with an “X” with a red marking pen.
Charges may apply for fluorescent blubs, TVs/monitors, propane/Freon containers, and volumes over the daily limit.
Thermostat Recycling
Have an old mercury thermostat? Remove, replace and recycle! Thermostat Recycling Corporation will give STR customers a $30 rebate for each mercury thermostat you recycle through their program.
Wait for assistance at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Building.
For special assistance, call (530) 542-8368