Hazardous Waste Disposal

ABOP (Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil, Paint) Collection

The City collects antifreeze*, batteries*, oil*, and paint* on the second and fourth Saturday of the month January through October from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. During the months of November and December, the event is held only on the second Saturday of the month. In addition to the above items, the City accepts up to three small household electronics (for example, microwaves, televisions, handheld devices), compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and fluorescent light tubes (limit six) and mercury-based thermostats. This event is free of charge to residents.

Please keep items separated and ONLY bring those items that are accepted. If you have items not listed above, please visit lessismore.org or hold them until the annual Household Goods and Hazardous Waste Day.

*There is a 5 gallon total liquid maximum

Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection:

The City operates a once a year free hazardous waste collection event for the residents of Carpinteria. The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is held at City Hall and operated as a drive through drop off in the City’s Public Works Yard. Most items are accepted at this yearly event. The following items are NOT accepted: biohazards, nuclear waste, explosives, and tires.

The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is conducted on the second Saturday in April between the times of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For hazardous waste disposal the rest of the year, you can look up approved hazardous waste haulers at Less is More, or find information on recycling specific items here.

Medication/Pharmaceutical Disposal

Please do not flush medications! It is important that medications are properly disposed of. Wastewater treatment facilities are not able to remove many of the chemicals that make up pharmaceutical products. If released into water bodies, these pharmaceutical byproducts can adversely impact wildlife and the environment. Currently there are two programs that operate take-back programs at convenient locations throughout the City.  Visit Med-Project and the California Drug Take-Back Program for locations.

Home-generated sharps, or simply “sharps”, are needles, syringes with needles, and disposable lancets like the type diabetics use to test their insulin levels. These items should be disposed of in an approved container made of rigid, thick-walled plastic. The containers should be clearly marked with a biohazards label. Please download this helpful Sharps brochure for more information.

E.J. Harrison & Sons provides free, postage-paid mail-back containers for home-generated sharps. To order a container, simply call E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414. If you are located outside of City limits, contact your waste hauler for more information.

Household Battery Collection

Household batteries, including but not limited to nicad, alkaline, lead acid, lithium, button, rechargeable, and other non-alkaline batteries

Drop off batteries at Carpinteria Library and Carpinteria City Hall

Sharps Waste Collection

E.J. Harrison & Sons provides free, postage-paid mail-back containers for home-generated sharps. To order a container, simply call E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414. If you are located outside of City limits, contact your waste hauler for more information.

Posted on

Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection is Saturday, April 8

This year’s free Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event for the residents of Carpinteria will be held on Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Residents are invited to drive through and drop off items for disposal in the City’s Public Works Yard. Most items are accepted, though the following are NOT: biohazards, nuclear waste, explosives, and tires.

Posted on

Save the Date: April 9 is Household Goods & Hazardous Waste Day

The City invites the community to its Annual Household Goods and Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. At the free event, Carpinteria residents can dispose of almost anything: household hazardous waste, household goods such as furniture, used appliances, mattresses, clothing, fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides, herbicides, mercury thermometers, aerosol cans, cleaning products and e-waste (anything with a plug or a battery). Not accepted at the event are the following: tires, explosives, biohazards, and radioactive materials. Modifications have been made to the event to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Participants must remain in their vehicles, and items for disposal must be kept in the trunk or truck bed where staff can easily access them. Staff will not enter the vehicle cabin. For more information, contact Environmental Program Manager Erin Maker at 805-880-3415 or erinm@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.

Water and Waste Business Resources

Carpinteria businesses can find resources and materials relating to guidelines found within the City’s Solid Waste and Watershed Management Programs. For more general business inquiries, please visit Carpinteria’s Business webpage.

If you have additional questions, please contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov 

Recycling and Waste Guidelines

Organics Waste Recycling

California Senate Bill (SB) 1383 is aimed at reducing methane emissions through the increased recycling of organic waste. The regulations require a 75% reduction by 2025 by requiring all residents, businesses, and multi-family properties to recycle all organic waste, including food waste, paper, cardboard, yard waste. Additionally, SB 1383 mandates that 20% of currently disposed edible food be recovered for human consumption by 2025.

To get more education on this information, check out the following link by clicking the SB 1383 Education and Outreach and watching CalRecycle’s SB 1383 video – California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy

Getting Started

Know what’s required: New state legislation requires all businesses, multi-family properties and residents to participate in a recycling and organics recycling collection program*. Assembly Bill (AB) 341AB 1826 also apply to businesses and multi-family properties. These requirements are codified via amendments to Carpinteria Municipal Code Chapter 8.08.800.

Residential Customers: Bag food scraps and food-soiled paper and dispose of it in your yard waste container. Items can be bagged in paper (preferred) or plastic. Food waste posters are available in English and Espanol.

Commercial and Multi-Family Customers:  Businesses may also choose to self-haul or back-haul their organic waste to a processing facility if they meet specific tracking requirements. If your business self-hauls or backhauls organic waste, submit a Third Party Reporting Form (required annually) to provide documentation of self-hauling or back-hauling.

Contact the City’s waste hauler:  Determine what service levels are best for your property by calling Donald Sealund with EJ Harrison & Sons at (805) 647-1414 ext. 4318. Eligible commercial customers can apply for a Waiver.

Food Recovery

SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) is a bill designed to keep organics out of the landfill. Part of this bill includes reducing edible food that goes to waste, and feeding hungry people. SB 1383 states that edible food waste generators must donate surplus food to food recovery organizations. Edible food waste generators are separated into two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 generators must donate starting January 1, 2022, and Tier 2 generators must donate beginning January 1, 2024. The City of Carpinteria has partnered with other local agencies to implement the Santa Barbara County Regional SB 1383 Food Recovery Plan.

There are two requirements for edible food donors:

Establishing Contracts and Written Agreements with Food Recovery Organizations and Services

To ensure that the maximum amount of edible food is recovered, the regulations require that mandated food donors establish contracts or written agreements with food recovery organizations and services. Food recovery organizations and services vary in the amount and types of food they can receive, so mandated food donors may need to establish contracts or written agreements with multiple food recovery organizations and services to be in compliance.

Recordkeeping

The law requires mandated food donors to maintain records on-site of their food donation activities. Jurisdictions will monitor compliance by requesting the following types of records:

• Contract or written agreement for food recovery organizations and services
• Schedules for food donation deliveries or collections
• Quantity of food donated in pounds per month
• Types of food each food recovery organization will receive or collect

We want to help! If you’d like to start donating food from your business, please email erinm@carpinteriaca.gov

Food Recovery Resources

Food Recovery Tools Packet (PDF)
Food Recovery Packet 2023 (PDF)
Food Recovery Schedule Template (PDF)
Food Recovery Agreement Template (PDF)
Food Recovery Donation Tracking Template (PDF)
Online Recordkeeping System FAQs

Free Tools and Resources

For Businesses

  • Request Indoor Food Waste Bins: Request free indoor bins to help make separating food waste from other materials a breeze. ONLY for businesses diverting food waste.
  • Request Container Stickers: Order free stickers and place them on new and existing indoor waste and recycling containers.
  • Customizable Employee Memo: Use a customizable employee memo to help notify and remind employees about business recycling practices.
  • Flyers for EmployeesRemind employees about recycling practices with a helpful diagram.
  • Recycling Guideline Posters: Help employees understand what bins should be used for trash, organics, and recyclable materials by posting recycling signs in common areas or near disposal sites. Available in English and Espanol.
Hazardous Waste Guidelines

Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection:

The City operates a once-a-year free hazardous waste collection event for the residents of Carpinteria. For small quantity waste generators, you must make an appointment to dispose of waste by emailing sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov. The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is held at City Hall and operated as a drive through drop off in the City’s Public Works Yard. Most items are accepted at this yearly event. The following items are NOT accepted: biohazards, nuclear waste, explosives, and tires.

The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is conducted on the second Saturday in April between the times of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For hazardous waste disposal the rest of the year, you can look up approved hazardous waste haulers at Less is More, or find information on recycling specific items here.

Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene Foodware

The City of Carpinteria is dedicated to reducing single-use plastics within the community and updated Chapter 8.50 of the Municipal Code, concerning the regulation of polystyrene and single-use plastic items. This update includes measures that prohibit the distribution and sale of polystyrene products, regulates disposable foodware, and regulates foil and latex balloons.

All measures under this new ordinance will be in effect starting February 22, 2024, with enforcement starting in July 2024, unless otherwise exempted. You can read the ordinance here.

Refuse Single-Use Carpinteria Guide (English / Español)

Foodware Purchasing Guide

Ordinance Update Flyer (English / Español)

Recycling Guidelines and Business Flyers

 

If you would like these resources printed, please contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov

Additional Resources

Visit the Refuse Single-Use Carpinteria webpage for information about these new regulations and additional materials provided for you.

Construction and Development Guidelines

Development projects must prevent sediment and other construction related pollutants from entering the storm drain, as detailed in Carpinteria Municipal Code Chapter 8.10, Watershed Management. The City regulates discharges from construction activities through permits issued by the Community Development Department and Public Works. This includes development permits and engineering/grading permits.

Permits that include earthwork require submittal of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, or in the case where a project is also subject to General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction General Permit, 99-08-DWQ), a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan or SWPPP can be submitted instead.

The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (or SWPPP) addresses pollution prevention through the use of Best Management Practices to control erosion and non-stormwater discharges such as fueling, saw cutting, placing concrete, painting, etc. BMPs appropriate for the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (or SWPPP) can be selected from the resources provided on the Construction and Development webpage.

Contracted Waste Haulers

The City adopted the most recent Franchise Agreement with E.J. Harrison and Sons, Inc. for regular solid waste handling services in May of 2022. The Agreement provides regular waste services for trash, recycling, and organic waste, as well as other services seen below. For more information or to request a service, please call (805) 647-1414

Services

Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The City operates a once a year free hazardous waste collection event for the residents of Carpinteria. The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is held at City Hall and operated as a drive through drop off in the City’s Public Works Yard. The following items are NOT accepted: biohazards, nuclear waste, explosives, and tires.

The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is conducted on the second Saturday in April between the times of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For hazardous waste disposal the rest of the year, you can look up approved hazardous waste haulers at Less is More or find information on recycling specific items here.

Bulky Items Collection

Provides two (2) free on-call bulky item collection services per year for single-family homes

Provide free on-call bulky item collection services based on 50% of the units in a multi-family dwelling complex

  • Make request at least a week in advance
  • Charges will apply to any item containing Freon
  • Tires are not accepted

Household Battery Collection

Household batteries, including but not limited to nicad, alkaline, lead acid, lithium, button, rechargeable, and other non-alkaline batteries

Drop off batteries at Carpinteria Library and Carpinteria City Hall

Bin Steam-Cleaning Services

Provides one (1) steam cleaning services per fiscal year for FREE

Provide two (2) more steam cleaning services per fiscal year at a charge

Sharps Waste Collection

E.J. Harrison & Sons provides free, postage-paid mail-back containers for home-generated sharps. To order a container, simply call E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414. If you are located outside of City limits, contact your waste hauler for more information.

Holiday Tree Collection

From Dec. 25th to the Second Week of January

Place tree on curbside or at a permitted set-out site on regular collection day

Solid Waste Program

The Solid Waste Program includes collection services for trash, recycling, green waste and other organic waste for both residential and commercial customers, as well as street sweeping services.

The City contracts with E.J. Harrison and Sons, Inc. under a franchise agreement.  This program also provides for the collection of antifreeze, batteries, oil, and paint (ABOP); and the annual household hazardous waste and household goods including electronic waste (E-Waste).

The Solid Waste Program is funded by Assembly Bill (AB) 939 fees which are collected by E. J. Harrison and Sons, Inc. and remitted to the City as part of the contract. The cost of the program is also offset with the Oil Payment Program Funds from the California Department of Resource, Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle).

Street Sweeping

The City is now providing in-house street sweeping services. Commercial districts are serviced every Tuesday, and residential neighborhoods are swept on the first and third Wednesday every month. For the complete schedule, please view our street sweeping maps.

null

Contracted Waste Haulers

To learn more
Click Here

null

Hazardous Waste Disposal

To learn more
Click Here

null

Recycling Guidelines

To learn more
Click Here

null

Refuse Single-Use

To learn more
Click Here

Watershed Management – Programs & Workshops

Educational Programs

The City of Carpinteria is a partner in the Our Water, Our World program, which offers safer, less toxic, alternatives to common pest and gardening problems. Visit Our Water Our World to find information on easy, non-toxic solutions to dealing with problems like ants, fleas, snails and slugs, and other household and garden pests. You can also find information about healthy gardens and find information on the safe use and disposal of pesticides.

We are proud to be a part of the Resilient Central Coast Campaign, a 6-County collaborative effort from Santa Cruz to Ventura with the goal to activate 500,000 residents on the central coast by 2030 to take climate action and prepare for climate change impacts.

Find more at https://www.climateresilientsbc.org/

LessIsMore.org is the County of Santa Barbara’s recycling and waste reduction website. This site is the ultimate waste reduction resource for residents of Santa Barbara County. You can use the search tool to look up a particular item that you’re not sure what to do with. Or peruse the website to learn more about hazardous waste, electronics recycling, home composting and much more.

Creek Week is an annual celebration of our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean to help build awareness and stewardship of the natural treasures of Santa Barbara County.

WaterWise provides information on sustainable, climate-appropriate, and drought tolerant plants, trees and grass that thrive in Santa Barbara County to help transform your landscape.

Water Resources in Santa Barbara County
Click here to explore videos on water supply updates, hydrology, Lake Cachuma time lapses, information about the State Water Project, rainfall information, and more.

Landscape
Did you know that half of the water we use in the garden goes to waste? Whether it is a leaky pipe or a simple case of over watering, get back on track with our Landscape and Irrigation videos.

Video playlists for Tips on Landscape Design and Tips to Help You Save Water are also available.

Check out our Garden Wise TV Show to learn how to save water while creating gorgeous landscapes.

For over twenty years, our Green Gardener program has educated local gardeners in resource efficiency and pollution prevention landscape maintenance practices. Watch classes in both English and Spanish.

Indoor
From checking your water meter to fixing toilet issues or checking other home appliances, learn to be WaterWise indoors with these videos.

General Interest
Learn about The Water Cycle.

View videos from the winners for our High School Video Contest to see 30-second videos from local students on water education.

Still want more? View general interest and educational videos here.

For more information, visit: https://waterwisegardeningsb.org/

Help participate in keeping our community and waterways clean! Close the Poop Loop encourages residents to pick up after their pets and throw the waste away.

More resources:
Dog Owners Duty

Workshops

A November 20, 2015 workshop presentation describes how to use the Stormwater Technical Guide and Calculator. That presentation is available on YouTube, with accompanying slides, Requirements for Land Development Projects (PDF).

A January 9, 2014, presentation provides additional depth on the Low Impact Development design approach for meeting the Post-Construction Requirements. That presentation is available in a stand-alone viewer.

Green Gardens Group provides free educational materials and workshops for transforming water and resource-guzzling gardens into beautiful climate appropriate landscapes. Learn more at https://www.greengardensgroup.com/

Posted on

Storm Impact Rundown, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m.

The City of Carpinteria has withstood the storm system of Jan. 9 and 10 with some flooding but little damage overall. In total, Carpinteria has received over 4 inches of rain in the last 48 hours, which has increased our total for the rain year to 12.49 inches. Significantly more rain has fallen in our nearby foothills and mountains, which of course contribute significantly to creek flows.

  • As of 2 p.m. on Jan. 10, the Evacuation Orders were lifted immediately for burn scar areas. Some areas remain restricted and have limited closures. See map at www.readysbc.org.  The Carpinteria State Beach Park also remains closed. Readysbc.org includes information on Current Evacuations, Shelter Locations, Shelter Locations, Road Closures and School Closures.
  • All City of Carpinteria roadways are open and clear. The 101 southbound is open to Ventura County. Northbound 101 is expected to be open at least at one lane open no later than 5 p.m. Portions of the following highways are also closed: 150, 33, 154, 126. Also, Via Real is closed between Nidever and Cravens Lane. For roadway updates, visit readysbc.org
  • The winter berm at City Beach held up well in the storms and high tides, but it is now severely eroded and should not be climbed or walked on. Efforts are being made to rebuild the berm as soon as possible.
  • Beaches along our coast are covered in massive amounts of woody debris and mud. This material includes potentially hazardous waste so please avoid beach and ocean use due to these dangerous conditions.
  • The Veteran’s Hall served as an evacuation shelter last night (Jan. 9) and housed 28 individuals. We are closing this Carpinteria Emergency Shelter. If anyone needs shelter they should call the County Office of Emergency Management Call Center at 833-688-5551.
  • Santa Barbara MTD started a special shuttle service within the City of Carpinteria today, Tuesday, January 10, at 2 p.m. This bus service will operate every 30 minutes, with the bus leaving the Carpinteria Avenue and 7th Street stop (on the south side of Carpinteria Avenue) on the hour and half hour. The service will run until 8 p.m. this evening. (Line 20 is temporarily out of service.)
  • Carpinteria Creek Bike Path is full of debris and remains closed.
  • The pool is closed and the library is open.
  • Please reach out to the City with any service requests.
  • All schools will be open tomorrow.
Posted on

Final ABOP of 2022 to be held Dec. 10

The City of Carpinteria will hold its final ABOP Collection event of 2022 on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. At ABOP, residents can bring antifreeze, batteries, oil and paint for free disposal. Additionally, the City accepts up to three small household electronics (for example, microwaves, televisions, handheld devices), compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and fluorescent light tubes (limit six) and mercury based thermostats. This event is free of charge to residents. Please keep items separated and only bring those items that are accepted. If you have items not listed above, please visit lessismore.org or hold them until the City’s annual Household Goods and Hazardous Waste Day.

Watershed Management Program

The Watershed Management Program oversees implementation of the Phase II Municipally Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. This program includes education programs and polluted water investigations, as well as construction project management and development review as it relates to surface water quality.

Activities include public outreach and education of water quality; tracking of illegal discharges of materials into the storm drain system and local waterways; water quality testing at storm drain inlets or discharge areas; implementation and enforcement of best management practices (BMPs) for development, redevelopment, and City operations; regional coordination; and the overall stewardship of local watersheds by regulating storm water runoff into creeks and the Carpinteria Salt Marsh.

Pollution Prevention and Response

The City of Carpinteria takes an active role in preventing pollution and responding to reports of pollution and spills. There are many types of spills or discharges that cause pollution and can create an environmental health hazard. If a spill is suspected to be hazardous waste, call 911. For non hazardous materials, reports can be filed online (fastest response) or by calling 805-880-3415.

Help us address polluted spills or discharges quickly!

The City strives to provide appropriately trained staff to reports of pollution as quickly as possible.  When reporting a spill or pollution, providing key information can help get the right staff to the scene.

Where?  Provide a complete address (if possible) and describe the location (The location of the spill could be ‘in the street’ or ‘on the road shoulder’ or ‘into a storm drain on the southbound side’). Photos are very helpful and allow us to more easily issue administrative citations.

When? Is the report for an actively occurring event or for something that has already taken place?

What? What do you know about the polluting materials? Please tell us if you know or suspect the material is hazardous and poses an immediate threat to health and safety.

null

Educational Programs and Workshops

More info

null

Construction and Development

More info

null

Integrated Pest Management

More info