Local Trash and Recycling Guidelines

We seem to always argue in our household about what we are "supposed" to place in the recycling, trash and yard debris containers.  Harrison Industries, our local trash collector, publishes guidelines on what we can and cannot do:

Recycling Bin: 

Yes:  Aluminum and metal cans, plastic containers (1-7), plastic bags, hard plastics, nursery pots, glass containers, paper and junk mail, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, dry empty paint cans and empty aerosol cans.

No:  Paper with wax coating (like milk and orange juice cartons...this was a surprise to me...good reason to buy the plastic containers!), window glass, light bulbs, fluorescent light tubes, pool covers and of course trash and yard trimmings.

Yard Debris Bin:

Yes:  Yard trimmings, weeds, leaves, grass, small branches, unpainted/untreated scrap lumber and stumps (no larger than 4' long and 6" wide).

No:  Trash, garden hoses, animal waste, dirt/rocks, yucca/palm, plastic bags, food, ice plant, recyclables, concrete, metal, flower pots and painted/treated wood.

Trash:

Yes: Well, just trash.  Everything that doesn't go into the recycling and yard debris, with exceptions below.

No:  Hazardous waste, TVs, computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, batteries, oil/paint, medical needles.

Bin Spacing:  2 to 3 feet apart

Hazardous Waste

Thousand Oaks residents can take hazardous waste for disposal by appointment 1 day per month.  Click here or call 805.449.SAVE to make an appointment.

Materials accepted include acids, oil, antifreeze, paint, propane, pesticides, batteries, electronics, various household chemical, etc. 

Looking for other places to bring recyclables and hazardous waste?  Check out www.Earth911.org.

Batteries and Fluorescent Bulbs

For several years now it has been illegal to toss used batteries and flourescent bulbs in the trash.  While I am not aware of anyone going to jail for dumping a AA battery into the trash, do the right thing by taking used batteries to a hazardous waste disposal event or taking your batteries to drop-off locations in the area.

Or better yet, switch to rechargeable batteries!  Click here for more information from the California Waste Management Board.