A household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event co-sponsored by the Mariposa County Department of Public Works and the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division will be held at the Lake Don Pedro Transfer Station on Friday, June 3rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment only. The Transfer Station is located at 9729 Merced Falls Rd., La Grange. The event is open to all Mariposa County residents, as well as residents of Tuolumne County living in the Lake Don Pedro subdivision (no businesses).Reservations are limited due to budget constraints. To schedule an appointment, call the Mariposa County Landfill, 209-966-5165 X 201, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Participants must be on time. Latecomers will be turned away. Anyone who cannot make their appointment is asked to call the Landfill in advance so that the time slot can be filled by another person.
The following materials will be accepted: gasoline and contaminated oil (containers will not be returned), paint thinners, mineral spirits photo chemicals, solvents, polishes, glues and adhesives, engine and brake part cleaners and waxes. Also: pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, pool chemicals, non-empty aerosol cans, household and oven cleaners, art supplies, nail polish remover and other household products containing toxic chemicals.
Not accepted are: Interior and exterior Paints, Deck Coatings, floor paints (including Elastomeric), Primers, Sealers, Undercoats, Stains, Shellacs, Lacquers, Varnishes, Urethanes, Waterproofing( concrete, masonry, wood sealers and repellents), Metal Coatings, Rust preventatives, Field and lawn paint. Ammunition and explosives, biological waste, medical waste (including needles and lancets), radioactive waste, asbestos, tires, non-hazardous waste (household trash), large compressed gas cylinders and marine flares.
To prepare for transport, keep materials in their original containers with their labels intact, if possible. Do not mix products. California law prohibits more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste to be transported per trip. Containers must be no larger than five gallons. Drivers must stay in their vehicles at the collection site and wait for a staff member to assist them.
Universal waste, such as computers, home printers and copiers, televisions, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, cell phones, stereos, iPods, batteries, mercury containing products, radios and answering machines, as well as empty propane tanks and empty aerosol cans, tires, and uncontaminated oil and oil filters may be brought to the Don Pedro Transfer Station for recycling throughout the year during regular hours of operation. A small fee is charged for some items to cover associated handling and shipping costs.
Mariposa County residents may also bring their Universal Waste, including properly packaged medical sharps, to the Mariposa County Landfill and Recycling Center, located at 5593 Hwy 49N in Mariposa, for recycling. For more information, go to: mariposacounty.org/solidwasteandrecycling or call the (209) 966-5165 x201.
The WM/Cal Sierra Transfer station in Sonora and the Groveland Transfer Station accept Universal Waste from Tuolumne County residents. Go to: tuolumnecounty.ca.gov or call (209) 533-5588 for more information.
