MISSION VIEJO : City Will Sponsor Waste Disposal Day

Whether it’s a gallon of crusty old paint or some used motor oil, it can be disposed of safely during the city’s third annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day on Saturday.

Common household items that are illegal to throw into the trash will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unisys Corp., 25725 Jeronimo Road.

The waste products to be accepted include paints, fertilizers, thinners, aerosol products, used motor oil and car batteries. There is a limit of five gallons of fluid waste or 50 pounds of solid waste for each household.

Residents should not bring explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials or compressed gas cylinders. Only city residents will be permitted to drop off the waste.

“Typically, this stuff is anything that has been sitting around awhile,” said Rick Howard, city senior management analyst.

The city sponsors the hazardous waste day to give residents a safe means of getting rid of their unsafe trash.

“It’s not environmentally correct to throw away paints and pesticide,” Howard said, “plus, it’s illegal.”

Last year, the city collected nearly 50 tons of hazardous waste from about 1,000 residents. People who cannot drop off their hazardous waste on Saturday can dispose of it without charge at the Prima Deshecha landfill, at Ortega Highway and La Pata Avenue on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by Waste Management of Orange County Inc., the city’s trash hauler. The city also sponsors other disposal events during the year so residents can get rid of their Christmas trees and bulky items such as refrigerators and sofas.

For information about Household Hazardous Waste Day, call City Hall at (714) 582-2489. To contact Prima Deshecha landfill offices, call (714) 834-6752.