Hazardous Waste Centers Open Longer

Orange County’s three household hazardous waste collection centers are so popular that officials have decided to extend their hours. Starting Feb. 1, the centers will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now the centers are open only on weekdays.

More than 75,000 people have used the facilities to get rid of hazardous household waste such as paints, motor oil, batteries, pesticides and pool supplies since the centers opened about two years ago.

“There’s definitely a demand (for the centers). It’s been an overwhelming success,” said spokeswoman Cymantha Atkinson. The new hours will be helpful for “the average person who cleans his garage on Saturday.”

The centers are designed to keep people from simply pouring dangerous substances down the drain or into the gutter, where the waste can pollute local beaches, bays and streams.

People can bring as much as five gallons of household hazardous substances to the centers on each trip. However, businesses, government agencies, churches and schools are prohibited from using the facilities.

Explosives, asbestos, radioactive materials and ammunition are among items not accepted by the centers.

The centers are at 1131 Blue Gum St. in Anaheim, 17121 Nichols St. in Huntington Beach and the Prima Deshecha Landfill in San Juan Capistrano.