Hazardous waste represents a significant amount of the toxic waste found in landfills. When disposed of improperly, this waste can do serious damage to human health, wildlife, and the environment.
The following items should not be thrown out with your regular trash.
In your Home
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Yard & Garden
Garage
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*Learn more about responsible disposal options for Motor Oil and Oil Filters, as well as Medicine and Medical Sharps.
DROP OFF
The San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency holds a Household Hazardous Waste collection event every month. This event is free to residents of San Benito County. You may bring up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip.
When: Third Saturday of every month
Where: John Smith Road Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road, Hollister, CA
Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm (noon)
Businesses: To assist businesses classified as Small Quantity Generators, the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency hosts hazardous waste collection events once a month by APPOINTMENT ONLY by contacting (831-636-4110)
BATTERIES- MEDICATIONS
- PAINT
- SHARPS
- MOTOR OIL
BATTERIES
Curbside Battery Collection
Put household batteries (e.g. rechargeable, alkaline, button) inside a zip lock plastic bag, and place on top of your blue recycling cart on your regular collection day.
MEDICATIONS
When medications are disposed of in the trash or down the drain, they can end up in the wrong hands, or in our soils and waterways. Wastewater treatment facilities are not properly equipped to remove medicinal substances from the water. The result? A wide range of pharmaceuticals have been found in our rivers and lakes.
Drop Off
Although we do not handle medications, free drop off locations within San Benito County accept all medications (except controlled substances). For drop-off locations, visit San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency or click here.
PAINT
During their regular operating hours, customers may drop off unwanted paint at Hollister Paint Company located at 57 East Street in Hollister. They accept interior and exterior paints, primers, thinners, and solvents at a limit of 15 gallons per visit.
PaintCare offers take-back programs at no charge. Find other locations to drop off interior and exterior paints, primers, thinners, and solvents.
SHARPS
Residents with medical conditions requiring the use of hypodermic needles are required to arrange for proper disposal. California law prohibits the disposal of “sharps waste” in trash or recycling containers.
Home generated sharps waste includes: Hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for medical purposes.
Drop off
Please place home-generated sharps waste in biohazard containers (available at local pharmacies and some office supply stores). Click here for local drop-off locations.
Mail-Back Service:
Check out CalRecycle’s sharps waste mail-back services.
MOTOR OIL
Just one quart of motor oil that is disposed of improperly can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of fresh water.
Residential Curbside Collection
Residents may contact us to request up to three one-gallon plastic containers for your used motor oil, and up to three zip lock plastic bags for your used oil filters at no cost. Once you receive your containers, place them securely beside your blue recycle cart for pickup on your regular collection day.
Motor Oil and filters must be in containers provided by Recology San Benito County or they will not be collected.
Click here for local drop-off locations for your used oil and oil filters.