Alameda County Household Waste Centers Expand Their Hours

It will be easier for Alameda County residents to drop off their household hazardous waste in the new year, county officials said.

That’s because household hazardous waste drop-off centers in Fremont, Hayward, Livermore and Oakland have added hours, made hours more regular and added acceptance of electronic waste. In addition, they will host mobile one-day drop-off events later in 2015.

County officials said the changes are designed to make disposing of household hazardous waste more convenient and increase the capture of such toxic materials for proper disposal.

The improvements include opening the Oakland facility for an extra day per week on Wednesdays and keeping the Hayward and Livermore facilities open every Friday and Saturday, instead of alternating weeks.

Among the new materials that will be accepted at the drop-off centers are electronic waste such as computers, radios and televisions.

In addition, multi-family property owners can now bring hazardous waste from property maintenance work or from their tenants to the drop-off centers free of charge. Dropping off waste for single-family residents
already is free.

Bill Pollock, the manager of Alameda County’s household hazardous waste program, said in a statement, “The drop-off facilities are free and simple to use. Residents don’t need an appointment and they don’t even need
to get out of their car. They can come in their pajamas if they want.”

County officials said their household hazardous waste program provides safe, legal, environmentally sound collection and disposal services for residential household hazardous waste such as paint, varnish, cleaners,
herbicides and pesticides.

Improper disposal of such wastes is illegal, often dangerous and can detract from residential property values, county officials said.

The drop-off facilities are open to county residents and no appointments are needed for single-family residents.

However, multi-family property owners must make an appointment and follow guidelines available at www.StopWaste.org/hhw.

• The Fremont facility is located at 41149 Boyce Road open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
• The Hayward facility is at 2091 W. Winton Ave. and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Livermore facility is located at 5584 La Ribera St. and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Oakland facility is at 2100 East 7th St. and is open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock