Residents can drop off common household items at no cost

Staff Report

It’s that time of year again! The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department will be hosting its Spring Household Hazardous Waste Event on April 11. The event will be held at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station located at 4004 Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos. This event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free for residents in the unincorporated area and the City of Solvang.

Residents can drop off common household items, including automotive fluids, cleaners, paint, pesticides, and batteries, as well as unwanted electronics like computers and TVs. Residents can also bring home-generated “sharps” such as needles and syringes.

To protect event staff, please note that sharps must be delivered in rigid, puncture-proof containers. 

For more details on acceptable materials, visit www.LessIsMore.org.

Due to COVID-19, all event attendees must wear a mask and remain in their vehicles at all times. Additionally, please keep all materials easily accessible in the back of your vehicle (for example, in the bed of your truck or the trunk of your car). This helps workers keep each visit contact-free.

Outside of these events, the county offers other ways to recycle hazardous waste. The county’s “ABOP” facility located at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station accepts antifreeze, auto batteries, motor oil, oil filters and latex paint every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Additionally, county transfer stations accept electronic waste free of charge for residents. Some local cities and private waste management companies also operate household hazardous waste and electronics collection centers. 

For more information about these programs, call 805-882-3603 or visit the county’s waste reduction website,www.LessIsMore.org.