I was fortunate, as a member of the council to attend the League of California Cities conference recently in Monterey. While many may think this sound like a lot of “fun”, it is a valuable opportunity to city official to share ideas with others and get updated information on the latest laws, regulations and best practices that could impact our city.
One such seminar I attended dealt with recycling issues. As a direct result of that seminar I asked the City staff to get me some information on what we were doing to help the public deal with the mandate of recycling or disposing of batteries and Fluorescent tubes. Thanks to the City staff they put together the following information to share with you:
Did you know? After February 8, 2006, all batteries and Fluorescent Lamps and tubes in California must be recycled, taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, or taken to a universal waste handler (e.g., storage facility, broker) or an authorized recycling facility. Start early and do your part now.
Batteries: All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes all batteries of sizes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all other batteries, both rechargeable and single use. Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contain within.
Batteries are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal. However at this time, only rechargeable batteries are commonly recycled by industry. Single use batteries end up in landfills. Currently less than 1% of all one-use batteries are recycled. This means that in California about 3.8 million batteries are land filled each year.
Fluorescent Lamps: All fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded because they contain mercury. This includes:
• Fluorescent tubes, including low mercury tubes.
• Compact fluorescents, including low mercury lamps.
When mercury-containing lamps or tubes are placed in the trash and collected for disposal, the lamps or tubes are broken and mercury is released to the environment. Mercury vapors from broken lamps or tubes can be absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. People who are particularly close to the breakage are especially at risk. Mercury from broken lamps and tubes can also be washed by rainwater into waterways.
All batteries and Fluorescent tubes should be recycled.
OPTIONS FOR RECYCLING:
Transfer Station: Batteries (household) and fluorescent tubes are accepted from residents at the Recyclery in San Carlos anytime between the hours of 8:30am and 4pm Monday through Saturday. Residents should enter at the Recyclery Center drop off at 333 Shoreway Road , not the Transfer Station.
City Hall: Batteries (household single use and rechargeable) are accepted at City Hall from residents anytime between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday.
Radio Shack: A special thank you to Radio Shack at Edgewater Shopping Center who I understand will accept batteries for recycling.
In the coming months, I am certain there will be other locations made available in the City for recycling these items. Thank you all in advance for being environmentally conscientious.
Deborah Wilder can be reached at: dwa@wilderlawfirm.com
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