Reduce, reuse, recycle isn’t just a slogan. In some cases,
particularly when it comes to items that are classified as
biohazards, it’s the law.
Dumping items like TVs, refrigerators, aerosol cans and oil
filters can allow dangerous chemicals to seep into the soil,
contaminating ground water with plumes of cadmium, barium and
lead.
Reduce, reuse, recycle isn’t just a slogan. In some cases, particularly when it comes to items that are classified as biohazards, it’s the law.
Dumping items like TVs, refrigerators, aerosol cans and oil filters can allow dangerous chemicals to seep into the soil, contaminating ground water with plumes of cadmium, barium and lead.
Integrated Waste Management in San Benito County has managed to contain a plume of toxins created by pre-regulation disposal at the dump, but strives to ensure that the problem will not become any larger, said director Mandy Rose.
To avoid the recurrence of such pollution, many items are mandatorily recycled or placed in Class 1 landfills, those that are specially designated to handle hazardous waste. High transport costs are routinely passed directly to the consumer, as municipalities do not receive federal funding for them. The average television costs $50 to $60 to dispose of properly, for instance.
“I can appreciate that most people aren’t expecting that cost, but that’s not a reason to get angry and dump it on the side of the road,” Rose said. “It’s kind of like shooting the messenger.
“The thing I always tell people is that we’ve been incredibly blessed in this country to enjoy such a high standard of living. We always thought that nature would take care of everything, but it can’t.”
In fact, landfills were being filled in faster than trash could decompose, prompting the state of California to take action in 1990. The state required cities to reduce landfill waste by 50 percent at the millennium.
About half the cities in the state have met those goals, and many others are well on their way with reduction levels in the mid to high 40’s. A $10,000 per day fine was supposed to be levied against all landfills not in compliance, but the state’s waste board has been lenient with those making “good-faith efforts” to reduce their intake.
“It all depended on what was going on in your base year,” said Rose. “In 1990, we had four operating canneries in the county, but all of them had contracted their waste elsewhere. Now we have one, but the reduction is more difficult. They see we’re doing everything we can.”
For individuals, items that must be recycled or disposed of in a special manner include concrete, carpet and a litany of other household goods from aerosol cans to antifreeze, pool chemicals and even nail polish.
Rules of disposal vary according to the area. Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister/San Juan Bautista all have their own disposal arrangements and unincorporated county areas are subject to different laws and disposal practices as well.
“The county of Santa Clara has household hazardous waste drop-off events once a month where they accept all hazardous waste, but you have to pre-register,” said Andi Borowski, environmental programs assistant for the City of Morgan Hill. “You have to give them some idea of what you’ll be bringing in.”
On a more regular basis, large items like televisions and tires can be disposed of (for a fee) at the San Martin Transfer Station.
Wherever you live, a few of the same rules will apply, so please clip and save the list of non-disposable items printed with this article. If working on a home remodeling project, consider negotiating to have your contractor separate concrete from other debris.
Clean concrete can be recycled for $24 per ton versus the $52 per ton dump users will pay for mixed debris containing concrete.
Not all items are mandatory to recycle, but reuse is strongly encouraged for things like furniture. The old adage is true: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
“For furniture, the number one would be to please try and get them reused,” said Julie Osborne, recycling coordinator for South Valley Disposal, which serves Gilroy and Morgan Hill. “Donate it if you can, even if it would never go back in your house. If it’s not in the condition to be recycled that way, you may have to throw it away.”
Osborne recommended calling your local waste provider for more information on disposal options, such as private home pick-ups for materials.
For more information on biohazard disposal in Santa Clara County, call (408) 299-7300. San Benito County Residents, visit Hollister’s community dump day on the third Saturday of each month at the City of Hollister Public Works Yard (1321 South St.) from 9am to noon. Call (831) 636-4110 with questions. For more information on reusing business-related biohazard products, visit the California Integrated Waste Management Board’s CALMAX (California Materials Exchange) Web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calmax.
What’s not safe to discard
It’s hard to tell what can and can’t be recycled or thrown away. For a friendly reminder of the items that cannot be discarded in your regular trash, please keep this list handy. Not all of these items may be accepted by your local waste disposal program, so call ahead to ensure they’ll be accepted.
• In the home
Ammonia-based cleaners, bleach-based cleaners, aerosol sprays, polishes, florescent lamps, nail polish, nail polish remover, medication, syringes, electronics, ammunition
• In the yard
Pesticides, fungicides, weed killers, pool chemicals, small propane tanks
• In the garage
Antifreeze, oil, oil filters, gasoline, washes/polishes, auto batteries, engine cleaners, brake fluid, tires
• In the workshop
Paint, paint thinner, wood preservatives, glues, adhesives, solvents, photo chemicals
