Canceled: Household Hazardous Waste

Types of Waste

There are waste materials generated in our homes that cannot be placed in either the trash or recycle bin. These two types of waste are Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronic Waste (E-Waste).

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal

City of Ventura residents are encouraged to visit monthly FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events and take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of HHW items properly. Hazardous waste can create risks such as home fires and contamination, which is typicallyassociated with improper storage. On average every year, more than 200,000 pounds of hazardous materials are collected from City residents during our 11 monthly collection events.

Check out our HHW Brochure in English or Spanish

Examples of HHW Items

Typical HHW items include:

• Asbestos (Guide to handling, disposing and recycling asbestos)
• Batteries (automotive and household)
• Compressed gas/propane tanks (under 5 gal.) including small nitrous oxide cylinders (food grade only)
• Cosmetics (nail polishes, removers, etc.)
• Fire extinguishers
• Fluorescent tubes and light bulbs (CFLs)
• Medical sharps
• Non-mind altering drugs
• Paints
• Pesticides and fertilizers
• Pool supplies
• Smoke detectors
• Thinners and lacquer
• Used oil filters
• Used or contaminated motor oil and gasoline

Remember, these items pose a serious threat to human, plant and animal life, and it is illegal to place in them in the trash or dump down the storm drain.

ABOP (Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil and Paint) Disposal

City of Ventura residents may recycle antifreeze, batteries (auto and household), oil (motor oil and filters) and latex paint (limit to 10 gallons, labels required) at Gold Coast Recycling (5275 Colt Street) for free. The ABOP program will not accept pesticides, oil-based paint, spray paint, solvents. More information about Gold Coast Recycling ABOP program can be found their disposal guidelines. This program is available during Gold Coast Recycling's hours of operation (Monday through Friday from 5 A.M. - 7 P.M., Saturday from 5 A.M. - 7 P.M.).

E-Waste Disposal

E-Waste disposal is free for City of Ventura residents with a Ventura address at Gold Coast Recycling. Commercial businesses may drop off electronic waste for a fee at Gold Coast Recycling. These items include computers, televisions, cell phones, VCR's, DVD players, and other items including electronic parts. The general rule of thumb is that any device with a circuit board can be considered electronic waste. These items contain small quantities of rare and precious metals that can be recycled. Please refer to Gold Coast Recycling(805-642-9236) for commercial business potential fees.

City residents (please bring your ID) can take these items free of charge to Gold Coast Recycling (5275 Colt Street) during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 5 A.M. - 7 P.M., Saturday from 5 A.M. - 7 P.M.).

Monthly HHW Collection Events

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events are held the third Saturday of each month, from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Waste will only be accepted between these specified hours. Residents will be turned away after 2:00 P.M. There is no collection event in December.

• Appointments are required. Please sign up for the next HHW event today by clicking on the link here or call 805-652-4525 (Monday - Thursdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
• Appointment times for the event are from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at 15 minute intervals.
• In case of rain or inclement weather, event could be canceled. Every effort will be made to notify those with reservations of any change in schedule.
• HHW Collection Events are for City of Ventura Residents Only. If you live elsewhere in the County check the County of Ventura website to find the information on an event in your community.
• Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations limit 15 gallons or 125 lbs. of material that can be legally transported per visit.
• Asbestos: Must be soaked in water and then double-bagged. Transite pipe must
  be cut in sections no longer than two feet, soaked and double-bagged.
• Non-narcotic medications are accepted at the HHW events, narcotic medications can be taken back to pharmacies or contact the Ventura Police Department to find out when they are holding a medical waste collection event. More information can be found on the Ventura Police Department webpage Drug Drop Off.
• Needle Disposal is also available through Ventura County Medical Center.

View our upcoming HHW Collections Events.

Material Reuse Program

The most environmentally friendly way to dispose of unused hazardous materials is to reuse it for its intended purpose. Usable items, like paint, household cleaners and automotive fluids, dropped off at our HHW Collection Center are segregated and offered to residents of Ventura for free. Material availability is subject to change and materials are given away on first come first serve basis. The Material Reuse Program is setup when staffing allows and reusable supplies are available.

Alternative Drop-off Locations

Some types of HHW are less toxic and, in limited quantities, can be taken to authorized sites during regular business hours. Gold Coast Recycling accepts: latex paints, motor oil and filters, antifreeze, household batteries, auto batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes and electronic waste. Household batteries can be dropped off at one of the City's Tech Recycling stations; City Hall and Public Works Maintenance Yard. Some electronics can be taken to various businesses in town.

For medical wastes, including used medicines and medical sharps, contact the Ventura County Health Care Agency for more information at 805-654-5007. California residents using Novo Nordisk medicines and needles can request a free sharps disposal container from Novo Nordisk, which includes a mailing label for shipping the full container back for disposal. Register for a free sharps container visit NovoCare website or by calling 1-877-765-3030.

Automotive and marine batteries can be dropped off at Powerstride Battery. Other auto part stores will also accept your old battery with the purchase of a new battery.

There are over a dozen used oil certified collections centers in the City of Ventura collecting used oil and oil filters, find the one nearest you by visiting Cal Recycle website.