Where to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in Ventura

Do you have cleaners, gas, batteries, old fluorescent lights or other items that you need to get rid of but can't just throw out with your regular household trash? Where do you go to dispose of household hazardous waste in Ventura? The City of Ventura's Environmental Services holds a public household hazardous waste collection on the third Saturday of every month. Only residents of Ventura are allowed to drop off waste and are limited to 15 gallons or 125 pounds at each visit.

Household hazardous waste items that are acceptable to drop off include:

• Aerosol Cans
• Adhesives
• Automobile Fluids (transmission and brake fluids)
• Batteries
• Fluorescent Lights
• Gasoline (including fuel additives)
• Household Cleaners
• Hypodermic Needles (must be in an approved Sharps container or other puncture-resistant container)
• Medications (only non-narcotic)
• Motor Oil and Filters
• Paint and Paint-Related Materials (polishes, varnishes, turpentine, etc)
• Pesticides
• Pool Chemicals
• Thermometers

Items that will not be accepted include:

• Bullets
• Commercial or Industrial Waste
• Electronic Waste
• Explosives
• Fireworks
• Large Containers (anything larger than 5 gallons, such as 55-gallon drums)
• Propane or Compressed Gas Tanks (barbecue and camp stove tanks are acceptable)
• Radioactive Materials
• Smoke Detectors

If you have an old smoke detector that doesn't work anymore, you should mail it back to the manufacturer instead of tossing it in the trash. While electronic waste is not accepted at the Ventura Environmental Services offices, you can drop these items off for free anytime at the Gold Coast Recycling (5275 Colt St #2, Ventura, CA) offices. Just make sure to bring proof that you reside in the City of Ventura. If you can't wait for the third Saturday of the month to dispose of your household hazardous waste, you can call (805) 652-4525 to make an appointment to drop off your waste during the week (8am to 5pm Monday through Friday).

Are you wondering where you can safely dispose of household hazardous waste in Ventura? As long as you are a resident of the city, you can drop it of on the third Saturday of the month at Ventura's Environmental Services Department. This service is provided free of charge to all Ventura residents. Make sure to bring proof of residency with you when you drop your items off.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists