Corona to host household hazardous waste collection

To reduce the amount of poisonous chemicals that end up in local landfills, Riverside County residents can keep their hazardous waste items out of the trash can and let the Waste Resources Department properly dispose them.

A household hazardous waste recycling event is set for March 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Corona City Hall parking lot, 400 S. Vicentia Ave. 

The event is free and open to all county residents, according to an announcement by city of Corona.

County residents may bring up to 15 gallons of a hazardous liquid waste or maximum 125 pounds of hazardous waste items per car, per trip, officials said. More than one trip is permitted.

“Keep original labels on containers,” officials advised. “The container shall be marked, and secured to prevent leaks. Do not mix materials. Containers holding gasoline will not be returned.”

Residents should also use a sturdy box to transport hazardous waste materials in a vehicle’s trunk, according to the city.

Household hazardous items that the Waste Resources Department will collect include latex paints; pesticides; garden chemicals; oils; solvents; cleansers; antifreeze; used oil and filters; aerosol cans; chlorine; smaller-sized propane tanks; household and automotive batteries; medical Sharps, which must be in sealed hard-plastic containers and not loose; fluorescent tubes; “and many other HHW items,” officials said.

“Unused medication needs to be transported and provided to the County in either a designed sharps disposal container or a hard last container such as an empty milk or juice jug or a large plastic jar, no soft material, glass or paper carton containers will be processed,” according to the city’s announcement.

E-waste is monitors, computers, televisions, audio equipment and other electronic items.

Officials specified the following won’t be accepted at the waste collection event: waste from businesses or nonprofit organizations, only from individuals who live in Riverside County; explosives or ammunition; medical waste; unused medication; “controlled substances”; any type of waste held in 55-gallon drums; containers larger than 5 gallons or weighing more than 50 pounds; remediation material; asbestos; radioactive materials with the exception of smoke detectors; household or industrial appliances; tires; and trash. 

The collection event will be canceled it it rains and there is excessive winds, officials said. 

Information on acceptable items for the collection is available by calling 800-304-2226 or online at www.RCWaste.org/HHW.

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