home

Hazardous Wastes

Household Hazardous Waste Items Picked Up for Free at the Curb

Mill Valley Refuse Services offers all our customers free, curbside pickup of the select household hazardous wastes. There is no limit on the number of times you may use this service during the year (sorry, this service is not available to businesses). You must call our office in advance (457-9760) to schedule the pickup of your household hazardous waste, but it need not be on the same day as your regular garbage day.

We will pick up the following items:

Household batteries (not car batteries)
Latex paint
Motor oil
Oil filters
Florescent Lightbulbs (under 4' in length only)
Non-empty Aerosol Cans (OK to put empty ones in recycle carts)
Computers and Computer Monitors
Printers
Televisions (there will be a charge only for larger TV's that require two men to lift)
Cell Phones

The limit on paint and oil is three one-gallon cans total on any one pickup. Paint must be sealed in containers with original labels.

Batteries, florescent lightbulbs and cell phones should be packaged separately in paper or ziplock bags.

Please note: New federal regulations for handling and shipping dry cell batteries, require that used batteries be properly insulated before they're collected for recycling and disposal. To comply with federal law and to make recycling safer for all, simply put a piece of tape (electrical tape is preferred) over the "positive" end of the battery.

Another convenient way to properly dispose of household batteries and florescent lights is to drop them off at one of 10 new "Take Back" locations in Marin. This program, hosted by the Marin County Department of Public Works and funded by a grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, allows you to drop off the following items:

Batteries
Up to 4 lbs of any common everyday battery used in the home such as cell phone, cordless electric devices, laptop computers, power tools, rechargeable batteries (standard size AAA through D) and those found in watches and hearing aids.

Florescent Bulbs
Florescent Tubes and Compact Florescent Bulbs

Take Back Locations Include:

General Hardware
401 Miller Ave, Mill Valley

Goodman Building Supply
775 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley (415) 388-6233

Jim Corbet’s Ace Hardware
1155 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur (415) 461-5330

Knight's Hardware
1650 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon (415) 435-4603

Visit the Bulb and Battery Take Back Program's website for a full list of drop of locations and more information about proper disposal of these items.

Free Drop-Off Site Available for Other Household Hazardous Wastes

One of Marin's permanent household hazardous waste facilities is located behind the Marin Recycling Center at 565 Jacoby Street in San Rafael. This is a FREE drop-off site for Mill Valley Refuse Service customers.

Some amount limitations per trip may apply and a photo ID is required to verify where you live. Businesses must make an appointment to drop off hazardous waste, but residents may go at any time during business hours. For more information, residents should call 485-6806 and businesses should call 485-5648.

Household Hazardous Wastes Accepted:

Aerosol Cans (containing any product)
Oil Based and Latex Based Paints
Flaming Gases (propane, etc.)
Flaming Liquids, Thinners, Solvents
Motor Oil, Lube Oil (used / unused)
Antifreeze
Other Auto Products
Automobile Batteries
Household Batteries
Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers
Wood Preservatives
Adhesives, Glue, Putty, Caulk
Household Cleaners
Waxes, Polishes
Swimming Pool Chemicals
Asbestos (linoleum, shingles, etc.)
Roofing, Tar, Roofing Products
Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs
Photo Chemicals
Mercury Thermometers
Printers
VCR's
Answering Machines
Radios
Computer and Television Monitors
Cell Phones
Microwave Ovens

For More Information

To learn more about about disposal and recycling of household hazardous wastes in Marin, visit the Marin Recycles site at http://www.marinrecycles.org