Schedule Of Hazardous Waste Events

The Household Hazardous Waste events are for Palo Alto residents only. Events are held from 9 am until noon (and 3pm to 5pm for Friday events twice a year). The events are located at the Water Quality Control Plant which is located at end of Embarcadero Way.

The following dates have been scheduled in 2009 for the Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (rain or shine):

2009 Schedule:

• Saturday, January 3, 2009
• Saturday, February 7, 2009
• Saturday, March 7, 2009
• Friday/Saturday, April 3 (3pm-5 pm) & April 4 (9am-noon), 2009
• Saturday, May 2, 2009
• Saturday, June 6, 2009
• Saturday, July 4, 2009
• Saturday, August 1, 2009
• Friday/Saturday, September 4 (3pm-5pm) & September 5 (9am-noon), 2009
• Saturday, October 3, 2009
• Saturday, November 7, 2009
• Saturday, December 5, 2009

New!  Weekday Appointment Household Hazardous Waste Events

Palo Alto residents may now call to make an appointment to drop off household hazardous waste on select weekdays. For the date and time of the next event or to make an appointment call (650) 496-5904.

The wastes will be separated, packaged, and shipped off site for appropriate management through recycling, treatment, and disposal processes.  For more information call Household Hazardous Waste Management at (650) 496-6980.


The City also offers other ways to get rid of a few selected hazardous wastes.

• The City's Recycling Program accepts antifreeze, motor oil, used oil filters, household batteries, auto batteries, fluorescent light tubes and other recyclables.
• The Recycling Drop-off Center is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• The Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) accepts photographic waste and mercury containing thermometers and thermostats during Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 4:30p.m.
• You can bring your household hazardous waste to a temporary collection site at the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP), 2501 Embarcadero Way, from 9 am - 12 PM on the first Saturday of each month (see schedule below).  

The wastes will be separated, packaged, and shipped off site for appropriate management through recycling, treatment, and disposal processes.

Recently, the City has added two Friday collection events per year in April and September scheduled on the Friday before the Saturday collection at the PARWQCP (3 pm - 5 PM in the afternoon-see schedule below).  

Our main message, however, emphasizes that the ultimate solution to the household hazardous waste problem is to reduce dependence on toxic/hazardous products and use them only when necessary. If possible, use less toxic/hazardous alternatives. We encourage you to buy only those toxic/hazardous products and quantities that you need and use them appropriately to completion. 

Throwing these products away (even through our program) should be viewed as a last resort. More information on waste minimization can be found on the City's Recycling Program and Environmental Compliance web pages.

Important Reminders:

• Palo Alto residents only (no businesses)--A current drivers license, California I.D. card, or Vehicle Registration is required to show proof of residency
• Small businesses or organizations (including home businesses) may use the City's Small Business/organization hazardous waste program. Please call (800) 433-5060 for more information.
• State Law prohibits the transportation of more than 5 gallons or 50 pounds of hazardous waste without a State hazardous waste hauler's permit.
• No gas cylinders (BBQ type propane tanks, aerosols and camp stove cylinders are ok). Also radioactive or infectious waste are also not accepted.

Businesses
Businesses or non-profit organizations located in the communities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month can participate in Palo Alto's Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Program (also known as the Small Business Hazardous Waste Program).

This program requires a registration and disposal fee based on the type and quantity of waste to be paid by the business. Delivery and collection of the business waste is by appointment on Saturday afternoons following the household hazardous waste collection events (12 pm - 3 pm).

For an appointment call the City's hazardous waste contractor (Clean Harbors) at 800-433-5060.

History And Development - How it Started
Palo Alto was the second community in the state and the first in Santa Clara County to offer such a comprehensive program. In the early days, volunteer City staff operated the program, and collection days were infrequent. As the program grew, collection days increased to four times per year, and the City contracted out staffing to hazardous waste management companies. Collection days are now on the first Saturday of each month, between 9 am and noon (and 3 pm to 5 pm for Friday events twice a year).

Funding
Funding for the Household Hazardous waste Program is paid for by an additional charge incorporated into the refuse disposal fee of the homeowner/renter's utility bill. Under the Household Hazardous Waste Program, no wastes generated by businesses, including businesses operated at a residence, are accepted. Business hazardous wastes are accepted under the Small Business Hazardous Waste Program which is funded by the participating businesses. The businesses must pay a fee based on the type and quantity of waste brought to the program.

Future Projects
Environmental Control Programs staff members have been working on the development of a permanent collection facility which would consolidate a number of solid waste management operations in a single site, including household and small business hazardous waste collection.

Program Information
We advertise our program four times each year in the City's utility bill insert. These inserts include a schedule of collection events for the coming four months as well as general program information and a telephone number for further information. The week before each collection day, a Palo Alto Weekly advertisement announces upcoming events. Program staff also attend fairs and distribute informational flyers.