A household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event sponsored by Mariposa County Department of Public Works will be held at the Mariposa County Landfill on Tuesday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only. The Landfill is located at 5593 Hwy 49N in Mariposa. The event is open to Mariposa County residents only (no businesses).

Reservations are limited due to budget constraints. To schedule an appointment, call the 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 someone on the waiting list.

The following materials will be accepted: Gasoline and Contaminated Oil (containers will not be returned), Paint Thinners, Auto and Marine Paints, Wood Preservatives Containing Pesticides, Photo Chemicals, Solvents, Polishes, Glues and Adhesives, Engine and Brake Part Cleaners and Waxes, Pesticides, Fungicides, Herbicides, Rodenticides, Pool Chemicals, Barbeque Tanks, 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 in containers 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, properly packaged sharps (needles and lancets), radios and answering machines may be brought to the Landfill and Recycling Center for recycling throughout the year during regular hours of operation. Also accepted are: empty propane tanks and aerosol cans, tires, and uncontaminated oil and oil filters. A small fee is charged for some items to cover associated handling costs.

For more information, go to: www.mariposacounty.org/solidwasteandrecycling or call: (209) 966-5165 x201.

Photo courtesy of Mariposa County Landfill and Recycling Center.