Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Household hazardous waste is "any hazardous waste generated incidental to owning or maintaining a place of residence." Household hazardous waste does not include any waste generated in the course of operating a business at a residence. Hazardous wastes discarded from homes may threaten human health or the environment if disposed of improperly.
Household Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet(Automotive Supplies, Paints, Household Cleaners, Pesticides)
Free Used Oil Collection Centers
WHAT'S BELOW:
Permanent Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities
There are three (3) permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facilities in El Dorado County where residents can drop off their HHW free of charge. Facility locations and hours of operation are listed below.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Flyer- (locations, materials accepted, materials not accepted)
Items accepted include:
- Gasoline, Antifreeze, Motor Oil, Oil Filters and other Automotive Liquids
- Wood Preservatives, Paints, Stains, Paint Thinners
- Cleaners, Furniture Polish, Chemical Drain Cleaners
- Pesticides, Weed Killers, Fertilizers and products labeled CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or POISON
- Auto & Household Batteries
- Pool & Hobby Supplies
- Propane Tanks no larger than 10 gallons
- Aerosol Cans
- Fluorescent Lights
- Mercury Containing Devices
- Corrosives (Acid and Bases)
- Adhesives
- Electronic Waste
- Medical Sharps in OSHA compliant containers
- Expired Pharmaceutical (Except for controlled substances)
Collection facilities will not accept:
To safely transport your hazardous waste please:
- Do not mix wastes together
- Do not transport more than 15 gals or 125 lbs
- Use containers that do not exceed 5 gallons of 50 lbs.
- Use sound, sealed containers
- Use original containers properly labeled with contents. If not using original container, cover up the original label and write contents on the container.
- Place containers in a cardboard box. Glass containers should be wrapped in cloth or newspaper.
- Keep waste away from passengers. Place the cardboard box in the trunk of your car or in the bed of your pickup truck.
- Provide ventilation by opening a window.
- Follow directions once you reach the collection site.
- At the site, staff will unload the waste from your vehicle. You will be asked to stay inside your vehicle. Hazardous waste will be removed at the first station; e-waste and latex paint will be removed at the second station.
You will be asked to sign for your participation in the event. Proof of residency may be requested. Residents of other counties should call their local solid waste authority for information.
Permanent Hazardous Waste Collection Facility Locations and Collection Times (Free of charge)
- El Dorado Disposal Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
4100 Throwita Way
Diamond Springs, CA
(530) 626-4141 or (530) 642-0731
Hours accepted: Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- El Dorado Hills Fire Station
3670 Bass Lake Road
El Dorado Hills, CA
(530) 677-7661 or (916) 933-6692
Hours accepted: 1st and 3rd Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
- South Lake Tahoe Refuse Transfer Station Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
2140 Ruth Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-5105
Hours accepted: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Locations may be closed due to inclement weather or a fire emergency.
Commercial Small Quantity Generators
The permanent facility operated by El Dorado Disposal, will also accept hazardous waste from qualifying small businesses. For a fee and by appointment only small businesses can transport their waste to the Diamond Springs facility for proper disposal. This Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) program can be an inexpensive convenient alternative to contracting with a hazardous waste hauler. To qualify for the CESQG program, you must generate no more than the following amounts per month:
- 220 pounds (27 gallons) of most hazardous wastes (i.e. paints, solvents, chemicals)
- 2.2 pounds (1 quart) of acutely hazardous chemicals (i.e. mercury or some laboratory chemicals) or
- 110 pounds (13 gallons) of perchloroethylene.
El Dorado County Environmental Management CUPA program staff can help you determine if your business may participate in the CESQG program. They can be reached at (530) 621-5300.
You will be required to establish an account with El Dorado Disposal, complete and submit a waste profile description form and make an appointment to drop off your waste. To obtain an enrollment package contact El Dorado Disposal at (530) 295-3011. Once your account has been established you may set up an appointment for delivery by calling the collection facility at (530) 642-9236.
Safe transport of your CESQG hazardous waste must be done by you personally or your employees in a vehicle owned and operated by you. Waste may only be transported to a properly permitted disposal facility, like those operated by El Dorado Disposal and South Tahoe Refuse. You must also:
- Do not mix wastes together.
- Do not transport more than 220 lbs (27 gallons)
- Use containers that do not exceed 5 gallons or 50 lbs. If transporting acutely hazardous chemicals or perchloroethylene, the transport limits are the same as the generation limits listed above.
- Package the waste in a manner that prevents the containers from tipping, spilling or breaking during transport.
- Use sound, sealed containers.
- Use original containers properly labeled with contents. If not using original container, cover up the original label and write contents on the container. Do not mix wastes together.
- Place containers in a cardboard box. Glass containers should be wrapped in cloth or newspaper.
- Keep waste away from passengers. Place the cardboard box in the trunk of your car or in the bed of your pickup truck.
- Provide ventilation by opening a window.
- Follow directions once you reach the collection site.
- At the site, staff will unload the waste from your vehicle. You will be asked to stay inside your vehicle.
- Obtain a disposal receipt documenting the date, type, and quantity of waste dropped off. Keep the receipt on file for at least three years.
If your business generates more than the amounts listed above, you are considered a regulated hazardous generator. Regulated generators must contract with a licensed hazardous waste hauler to collect the wastes at their facility. Several hazardous waste haulers are listed in the Sacramento Area yellow pages under the heading, “Waste Disposal-Hazardous”.
If you have any questions feel free to call El Dorado County Environmental Management at (530) 621-5300.
Temporary Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Due to current budget constraints, no temporary HHW collection events are scheduled for 2011. Please check back here for updates.
Used Oil and Oil Filters
Did you know that an estimated 200 million gallons of used oil ends up in our nation’s waterways every year! When used motor and filters are improperly disposed of, the oil can harm lakes, streams, vegetation, groundwater, fish and wildlife, and people! So please work with us to recycle your used oil and filters. There are several facets to our used oil program all designed to help you protect our beautiful County from the harmful effects of oil releases. 
Oil Collection Centers and Events
Currently there are 23 used oil collection centers located throughout the County. To find a certified used oil collection center near you, please click here. Oil should be transported in leak proof containers no larger than 5 gallons capacity. Used oil cannot be mixed with any other liquids.
Curbside Oil Collection
In some communities, residents can have waste oil picked up by their solid waste company. Customers of El Dorado Disposal/Waste Connections can schedule an oil pickup by calling them at (530) 626-4141. Customers of Amador Disposal/Waste Connections can schedule an oil pick up by calling (209) 274-2454. Both El Dorado and Amador Disposal will provide you with a container for your oil. Customers of Sierra Disposal and Recycling do not need an appointment. See the Sierra Disposal website. This services are offered fee of charge.
Marina Oil Program 
The marina program helps recreational boaters prevent releases of oil from their boats. Boaters are provided with oil absorbent pads and pillows that they can place in the bottom bilge area of their boats. The oil absorbent floats on the bilge water, skimming and holding any floating oil. When these absorbents become saturated with oil, they can be dropped off free of charge at any one of the 12 collection sites at lakes Folsom, Jenkinson, Ice House, Union Valley, Echo, Fallen Leaf and Lake Tahoe. For a complete list of these facilities and hours of operation please click here.
Our marina program began in 1996 with the Lake Tahoe Marina program, a nationally and internationally recognized program! For more information on our marina program please see our Marina Program. 
Off Road/Rubicon Trail Program
This program helps four wheel drive enthusiasts prevent releases of oil to the trails. Off roaders are provided with oil absorbent pads they can use to collect any spilled oil. Saturated absorbent can be dropped off free of charge at collection facilities located at each end of the Rubicon Trail. (Wentworth Springs, Loon Lake, and McKinney) For tips on how off roaders can prevent spills and properly respond if a spill occurs,please click here.
Close the Oil Recycling Loop! Buy Re-refined Oil!
Ever wonder what happens to the used oil that is collected? Used oil can be re-refined to yield high quality motor oil that can be used again because the base lubricating stock doesn't wear out or break down with use. Less energy is required to recover a gallon of re-refined base stock than a gallon of base stock made from crude oil. By buying re-refined oil, you can help save non-renewable oil resources and energy. In 2002, the Environmental Management Department launched a used oil/oil filter recycling and re-refined oil promotional program at the Placerville Speedway. We sponsored driver Marc Mackay, who used re-refined oil in his sprint car. 
Universal Wastes
Universal wastes are common items which because of their chemical content are considered hazardous wastes, but they pose a relatively low risk to the user when handled in a normal manner. However, if these items are damaged or disposed of into a landfill they can release their hazardous contents and pose a risk to human health and the environment. Items such as fluorescent lights, mercury thermostats, household batteries, consumer electronic devices (CEDs) and computer monitors, also known as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), are all classified as universal wastes. The fluorescent lights, thermostats, and batteries generated by households can be disposed free of charge at the HHW permanent collection centers listed above. The South Lake Tahoe disposal site accepts CRTs and CEDs for a fee. The Diamond Springs Waste Connections Disposal site accepts CRT's and CEDs at no charge during normal hours of operation, Monday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Universal Waste Links: