Hazardous Removal...Coming to You

A neighbor was the first to take advantage of Recology's new contract to haul away residents' hazardous waste by appointment.  This is a recent addition to the B'game contract and very useful for paint and the like that tends to pile up in our garages.  A commenter had the good question about fire extiguishers so I have been in touch with local B'gamer Joe La Mariana who is Recology's public liaison.  Joe answers the fire extinguisher question this way:

The reason this item is deemed "hazardous" is not because of the bicarbonate soda content but because the container is pressurized. This presents a potential danger to a processor if a folklift/equipment runs over it during handling and it explodes. If it explodes, the bicarbonate soda becomes airborne and it becomes and "irritant" for the workers. I was told that it's an OSHA reg:

Therefore, your options for responsible disposal are:

1)  Drop it off at Fire Master @ 850 Mahler Road, Burlingame for free (692-3473). They do not actively promote this drop off option, but they will be happy to take the unit, depressurize it and use it for parts.

2) Tower Road Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off facility (http://events.smhealth.org/events/). People need to make an appointment so there is no waiting. The staff unloads the material from your vehicle and you never even get out. You're out of there in less than 5 minutes.

Good stuff and we are already paying for the service that comes to your house for most other stuff.  Here is what the sub-contractor Curbside.com's truck looks like

Comments

[James]

I called Recology just now and the woman I spoke with told me I had to haul it to San Carlos myself. I only have 4 or so gallons of latex paint so maybe the curbside pick-up is for larger amounts?

[Monica Devincenzi]

James, sorry for the confusion, the company that provides the Door-To-Door HHW collection is called At Your Door Special Collection, and not Recology. They can be reached at 800-HHW-PKUP (800-449-7587) or email atyourdoor@wm.com. If you have any questions, you can also contact me at mdevincenzi@rethinkwaste.org. Thank you!