The
California Hazardous Waste Law Has Changed
California has long banned various
products from landfills. These include
- TVs and computer monitors;
- paints, stains, wood sealers,
etc.;
- car batteries and automotive
fluids such as oil;
- caustic chemicals, including
many household cleaners.
As of February 9, 2006, many items have been added because of a new
law banning toxic metals. Some of these items may
surprise you.
They include
- batteries;
- fluorescent lights (they contain mercury);
- many high-intensity lights;
- products that obviously contain electronics such as TVs, stereos,
phones, mp3 players, digital cameras, computers, remote controls;
- less obvious electronic products: digital watches and clocks,
talking toys and greeting cards, thermostats, appliances with "touch"
control buttons;
- many shoes with flashing lights (especially older ones);
- many electrical switches (they often contain mercury);
- most blood-pressure gauges, barometers and manometers (they
usually contain mercury);
- many printer ink cartridges.
(This information came mainly from an
article by Jonathan Sidener in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 2/22/2006.)
What
can you do with these products?
- batteries
and cell phones: Some retailers will accept them for
recycling. I've heard the list includes Radio Shack, Best Buy and
Staples.
- printer
toner
cartridges: Some retailers and manufacturers accept them.
- recycling
centers: Your local government can provide information.
Consider pooling with a neighbor.
- pick up: Your local government may have an
arrangement with a hazardous waste recycling company, possibly with a
homeowner copay. Again, consider pooling.