Hazardous Waste Disposal

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

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.