Residents needing to dispose of household hazardous waste, such as paint, batteries, and motor oil, can do so for free at two upcoming collection events. The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department will hold the first event on Saturday, October 2 in New Cuyama and the second event on Sunday, October 3 in the Santa Ynez Valley.
The Cuyama event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 2, at the New Cuyama Recycling and Transfer Station, 5073 Highway 166. Residents can drop off common household items, including cleaners, pesticides, and fluorescent lights, as well as unwanted electronics like computers and TVs. Details are available on the County’s recycling website, www.lessismore.org.
The Santa Ynez Valley event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., October 3, at the County’s Recycling and Transfer Station, 4004 Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos. Acceptable items are identical to those for the Cuyama event, and participation is free for residents in the unincorporated area and the City of Solvang.
At both collection events, residents can also bring unwanted medications and home-generated “sharps” (e.g. needles and syringes). Sharps must be delivered in rigid, puncture-proof containers. No controlled substances, including narcotics and some prescription medications, will be accepted.
The County offers free collection events twice a year in the Santa Ynez Valley and annually in Cuyama. For those unable to attend an event or for those living in other areas, multiple collection centers are available throughout the county. Some are operated by the County, while others are run by local cities or waste management companies.
At the County’s “ABOP” facility, located at the Santa Ynez Valley Transfer Station, residents can recycle their antifreeze, auto batteries, motor oil, oil filters, and latex paint every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Additionally, all of the County’s transfer stations accept electronic waste year-round during normal operating hours. There is no charge for residents.
For more information about local hazardous waste collection programs, call 882-3615 or visit the County’s recycling website, www.lessismore.org.