SIMI VALLEY : Hazardous Waste ‘Round-Up’ Scheduled

Residents of Simi Valley and the unincorporated areas adjacent to the city are urged to make appointments to drop off household hazardous waste at the city’s hazardous waste roundup scheduled for Oct. 2 and 3.

About 1,200 residents already have signed up, with space available for another 500, said Joseph Hreha, deputy director of the city’s Environmental Services Department.

Wastes that will be accepted include paints and solvents, antifreeze, motor oil and filters, batteries, cleaners, pool chemicals, weed killers, insecticides, fertilizers, photographic chemicals, polishes and florescent light tubes, Hreha said.

No commercial waste will be accepted, nor will any medical, radioactive or explosive wastes, Hreha said.

Users are limited to five gallons of liquid or 50 pounds of solid material and up to 20 gallons of motor oil.

Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton said the city decided to shift to an appointment-only roundup because open invitations proved difficult to manage.

“It was a nightmare,” Stratton said.

“A billion people showed up and there were four-hour lines and you thought you were back in the gas crisis, but since we’ve come up with this new approach, things seem to be much better.”

The sign up deadline is Sept. 24.

Call 583-6321 for appointments.