Hazardous & Special

You can prevent hazardous waste by choosing non-toxic cleaning and pest control products (check out the Safer Alternatives to Hazardous Products page for specific alternatives), buying only what you need of automotive and home maintenance items and following label instructions.

Click on a material below to learn how to properly dispose of it:

Appliances and Furniture 

Working appliances and furniture in acceptable condition can be donated. Click here to see a list of donation facilities.

Recology Arcata offers twice/year bulky item pickup at no charge for its residential customers. Call (707) 822-0304 for more information.

Non-functioning appliances can be recycled at the Humboldt Waste Management Authority: Eureka Recycling Center.

Batteries 

Batteries should be sealed in a bag and can be dropped off at Hensel’s Ace Hardware, Sunnybrae Ace Hardware, or the Humboldt Waste Management Authority.

Carpet 

Recology Arcata offers twice/year bulky item pickup at no charge for its residential customers. Call (707) 822-0304 for more information.

The Humboldt Waste Management Authority provides carpet recycling. For more information on carpet guidelines and fees, call (707) 268-8680 or visit their website by clicking here.

Clothes 

Please donate clothes, shoes, and linens in good condition.

Electronics 

Computer monitors, CPU’s, copiers or any equipment with a digital readout or processing board can be dropped off at the Humboldt Waste Management Authority for a nominal fee of $2 for monitors, and 5 cents/pound for other e-material. E-waste can also be taken to Humboldt Sanitation McKinleyville Transfer Station for a fee (fee varies).

Electronic items can often be taken back to the manufacturer. Some manufacturers will take back their old equipment for reuse or recycling:

• Dell Computer Exchange
• HP Computer Exchange
• Gateway Computer Exchange
• Apple Recycling Program 
• Samsung Recycling Program 

Light Bulbs 

Dispose of household light bulbs at the Humboldt Waste Management Authority or up to 5 per visit at Hensel’s Ace Hardware. Fluorescent tubes up to four feet can be dropped off at Hensel’s Ace Hardware. Anything larger should be dropped off at HWMA.

Mattresses 

Recology Arcata offers twice/year bulky item pickup at no charge for its residential customers. Call (707) 822-0304 for more information.
Residents can also take mattresses and box springs to the HWMA: Hawthorne Street Transfer Station for free recycling.

Motor Oil & Filters 

You can receive 40 cents/gallon for your used motor oil by taking it to a certified used oil collection center. Franklin’s Service at 1903 Heindon Road, 707-822-1975, is Arcata’s certified used oil collection center. Call for hours before bringing your used motor oil.

Do you change your own motor oil? You are eligible for a free oil drain container if you live within city limits! Pick one up at Arcata City Hall Environmental Services Department during regular business hours by bringing in proof of residency (a water bill/receipt or a rental contract/receipt).

Pharmaceuticals

A medication disposal bin is available inside the Arcata Police Department lobby located at 736 F Street. Drop-offs can be made Monday-Friday from 9am - 5pm. Please remove medications from their containers and place them in a sealed or zipped plastic bag before dropping them into the bin. Illegal substances, lotions, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, hydrogen peroxide, or sharps cannot be accepted. 

Open Door Clinics in McKinleyville, Arcata, and Eureka also have drop boxes where you can drop off your leftover medicines during normal business hours.

Please review No Drugs Down the Drain (PDF) for details on proper disposal of pharmaceuticals.

Medical Sharps 

Place home-generated sharps waste in biohazard containers. Biohazard containers are available for purchase at pharmacies and some office supply stores. Contact your health care provider, local pharmacies, hospitals or clinics to ask if they offer a collection a program.

Medical sharps can be taken to Humboldt Waste Management Authority. Sharps must be in a biohazard container. For more information, call (707) 268-8680.

Tires

Tires can be taken to Humboldt Waste Management Authority for a fee.

Asbestos 

Asbestos is a mineral that is resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. These qualities lead to it being widely used in construction before its associated health risks were discovered, and since then regulations have been put in place to reduce the risk of exposure. Inhaling asbestos can cause serious disease, or even cancer, so it is important to contact a professional to assist in the handling of asbestos. Once removed, asbestos can be taken to Humboldt Waste Management Authority for disposal. Proper disposal guidelines must be followed. For more information, call (707)268-8680.