Tough New Law Limits What Can Be Put in Household Garbage Cans

[The Straight Story]

Tough New Law Limits What Can Be Put in Household Garbage Cans

California residents will need to be much more careful about what they put in their trash cans starting next week.

Beginning next Thursday, old batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, cell phones, old thermostats, and computer and electronic equipment containing low levels of hazardous waste material will be added to the list of items illegal for residential customers and small businesses to include with weekly trash pickup.

The law to keep questionably dangerous items out of California landfills was passed by state lawmakers in 2002. A four-year exemption was built into the law to allow Califonria communities the opportunity to create recycling options for the unwanted refuse.

Officials with the California Departmento of Toxic Substance Control said lead and other heavy metals found in electronics can leach into ground water from landfills and create a health and safety hazard.

http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15735

[SmokingJacket]

1. Throwing batteries away has always been a problem for me.

Grandma gives my kids toys that use batteries like nobody's business.

I'm glad they're working on this...

[WhiteTara]

2. recycle centerstake batteries

I keep mine in a box forever and then take them all at once.

[LifeDuringWartime]

3. give rechargables a try

radioshack usually has everything you need

[benburch]

5. Even those must be recycled eventually. nt

[burrowowl]

4. In France

at Tabacs there are boxes for putting used batteries in.
California has companies that take coumputers and other electronic equipment. In ABQ, I tried to find someone and many have gone out of business, damn.

[LizW]

6. We can't put any of that stuff in the trash here, either.

Also paint and motor oil.

About twice a year the city has a hazardous waste day and they set up a central site where you can bring all that stuff.

Of course, I'm sure people sneak it into the trash anyway, because who's going to check every bag of garbage?

[rfkrfk]

7. to get rid of motor oil, put in front of someone else's house

tickets are no-fun

[DemInDistress]

8. your too much !!!! rotf..... nt

[Suich]

10. Someone put some old tires in a neighbor's yard.

A couple of days later, someone stopped by and asked if they could have them!

[Katherine Brengle]

9. we already have those restrictions--i think they are fair. n/t