Garbage Wanted

Hazardous Household Waste

Tuolumne County, CA — Want to get rid of some old tires and hazardous household waste? This month, Tuolumne County’s Solid Waste Division will be offering you a place to dump both responsibly.

April is the county’s Tire Amnesty Days. You can throw your old truck and car tires, without the rims, at these two locations:

Groveland Transfer Station:
Wednesdays and Saturdays in April
No appointment needed
10700 Merrell Rd. Groveland

Cal Sierra Transfer Station:
April 15 to April 30
By appointment only, call (209) 533-7997

Division Spokesperson Belinda Barlow says, “It’s to keep tires out of the landfill. The tires will be picked up by a company that recycles the tires. The metal is taken out from the steel belts and is sent to a recycler. The rubber is shredded in to crumb rubber and can be used to make rubber bark for playgrounds or the rubber matting for tracks or dairy beds.”

The service is free to Tuolumne County residents. There is a nine tire per person limit. Tire dealers or other businesses are not allowed to participate. Also, industrial, farming and heavy equipment tires are not accepted. The program is funded by a grant from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Two locations are also offered to get rid of hazardous household waste this month, but you must make an appointment.  In Sonora on Saturday May 17 and Groveland on Saturday June 28. For an appointment call 1-800-811-2435.

Here is a list of materials you throw out:

• Oven/drain cleaners
• Mothballs
• Non-empty aerosol cans
• Deodorizers
• Household cleaners
• Nail polish remover
• Shoe polish
• Weed killers
• Insect sprays
• Pesticides
• Fungicides
• Pool chemicals
• Glues
• Polishes
• Solvents
• Oil-based paint
• Gasoline
• Thinners
• Wood preservatives
• Photo chemicals
• Art supplies
• Brake fluid
• Waxes
• Rust preventatives
• Contaminated oil
• Engine/brake part cleaners

Barlow says, “It is illegal to throw it [hazardous waste] in the trash. The preferred thing for you to do would be to use it up. If you’re not going to use it up, it can’t go down the drain or in the garbage, so we offer these responsible ways to get rid of your hazardous waste.”

Rules to dump the waste:

• Keep waste in original container
• Do not mix material
• Prevent leakage or spills (Place container in tub or box and surround with paper or kitty litter)
• Transport wastes in trunk or secured in bed of truck

Restrictions:

• No containers larger than 5 gallons
• Limit toxic items to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip (California State Law)

Items not accepted:

• Ammunition or explosives
• Asbestos, tires, or medical waste
• Radioactive waste
• Marine flares
• Non-hazardous regular trash