Special Items
Treated Wood Waste
Update: Solid Waste of Willits is now accepting Treated Wood Waste. To find out their current rate and at which location(s) please call SWOW at (707) 459-4778.
Variances are continuing to be issued throughout California. To find out which locations have received variances to accept Treated Wood Waste please click on the links below:
Because these lists only include entities that request to be added upon approval, please call ahead to all locations prior to arriving for disposal. Where possible, we ask residents and businesses to hold their Treated Wood Waste until variances are issued. We will continue to update our website as the situation evolves.
Due to expiring state waivers, pressure-treated wood, which is sometimes required by the California Building Code, will be classified by the State of California as hazardous material effective January 1, 2021. Residential and business customers will have a limited ability to dispose of treated wood waste with MendoRecycle for a fee.
Beginning January 1, the State will require that treated wood waste be categorized as hazardous material (HazMat) and the material can no longer be accepted by waste haulers or at transfer stations within Mendocino County.
MendoRecycle will be able to accept very limited quantities of treated wood waste from residential customers and businesses for a fee. All wood waste must be no longer than 3' with nails and screws removed.
Business Waste Quantities & Rates Residential Waste Quantities & Rates
Currently, MendoRecycle doesn’t have the infrastructure to collect wood waste at our mobile collections, therefore treated wood waste disposal is currently accepted by MendoRecycle only at our main facility located at 3200 Taylor Drive in Ukiah every Wednesday and the 2nd Saturday of the month between 8 am and 2 pm.
RESIDENTS
Residents may bring up to 125 pounds of treated wood waste material per day. See our residential price sheet here for a complete list of limits and rates for hazardous waste disposal. A resident that transports up to 50 lbs of TWW to a household hazardous waste collection facility is not required to obtain and EPA or California EPA ID Number or to use a hazardous waste manifest. You may obtain your free State EPA ID at https://dtsc.ca.gov/apply-for-hazardous-waste-epa-id-number/ or by calling 1-800-618-6942
BUSINESSES
Businesses may bring up to 220 pounds of treated wood waste per month. See our business price sheet here for a complete list of limits and rates for hazardous waste disposal. All businesses must make an appointment prior to bringing waste. Businesses may do so by calling our office at (707) 468-9710 or by going to our online scheduler.
An EPA ID is required in order to transport business Hazardous Waste. You may obtain your free State EPA ID at https://dtsc.ca.gov/apply-for-hazardous-waste-epa-id-number/.
Resources for Treated Wood Recycling
- Department of Toxics Substances Control Board
- California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
- Treated Wood Waste Fact Sheet
Treated wood is banned from disposal in the garbage
Do not dispose of treated wood in your garbage bin. All wood treated with preservatives is subject to California’s Hazardous Waste Control Law and may only be accepted at approved facilities.
Treated wood refers to dimensional lumber treated with chemicals that protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents. Chemicals include arsenic, chromium, copper, creosote and pentachlorophenol which are hazardous to humans and the environment. Identification is not difficult as long as you know the characteristics.
How to identify treated wood
Look on the surface of the wood for small slits. These are numerous, staggered along the board and look like staple slits. They help with deeper chemical penetration and retention. Most pressure-treated wood has these slits. Examine the wood especially the edges, for a green tint. When the lumber is young, this will be the most identifiable sign of pressure-treated wood. As it ages it will fade to a dull gray color.
Examples of pressure treated wood preservative include:
- CCA (Chromated copper arsenate)
Common uses: sill plates, trusses, joists - Creosote
Common uses: railroad ties - Pentachlorophenol
Common uses: phone poles, some fence posts - Copper based such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper boron azole (CBA)
Common uses: decking, landscape timbers - Borates
Common uses: sill plates, trusses, joists - Other wood preservatives
Please see our blog for ongoing general TWW updates.
Asbestos
The best way to handle, dispose of and recycle asbestos is to hire licensed asbestos abatement professionals. Learn more about how asbestos is recycled and how professionals safely handle and dispose of asbestos-containing materials. Go to https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/ to find out more.
Hiring an asbestos abatement company, and not doing it yourself, is the wisest and safest decision when it comes to removing asbestos from any residential, commercial or public building. Asbestos abatement companies will properly test for the toxic mineral, follow strict regulations and processes, and carry the right abatement removal equipment to keep them, others and you safe from exposure.Click here To learn more about hiring an asbestos abatement company. Go to https://www.asbestos.com/abatement-guide/ to find out more.
Household Batteries
Resources for Battery Recycling
- California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
- California Products Stewardship Council
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- Call2Recycle
- Californians Against Waste
Why should household batteries be recycled?
Household batteries including alkaline and rechargeable batteries cannot be landfilled in California because they contain acids and toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel. These metals may harm people and the environment.
- Definition: Alkaline batteries are AAA, AA, C, D button cell and 9-volt batteries.
- Definition: Rechargeable batteries are typically found in cordless phones, power tools and laptops. Types include: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn) and Small Sealed Lead (SSLA/Pb).
- Definition: Button batteries are typically found in cameras and hearing aids. Types include: Lithium ion and silver oxide batteries.
Drop-off rechargeable batteries only at the following retailers: for residents and businesses
In 2005, to help promote proper disposal of rechargeable batteries by the public, the Governor signed the California Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, which requires retailers to take back all used rechargeable batteries from their customers for recycling.
The following sites are Call2Recycle sites accepting rechargeable batteries weighing less than 11 pounds each and cell phones. When visiting these locations, drop off batteries at Customer Service areas. Call (877) 723-1297 first if dropping off more than 50 pounds.
Cannabis Waste
On January 1, 2018 recreational cannabis became legal to cultivate, distribute, manufacture and sell in California.
For General Cannabis Waste inquiries, please visit Calrecycle's Cannabis Waste Questions and Answers Page.
If you are a Cannabis Cultivator, please contact MediWaste Disposal, to discuss your waste removal needs.
Mercury Thermostats
Resources for Thermostat Recycling
- Thermostat Recycling Corporation
- California Products Stewardship Council
- Department of Substances Control Board
- Product Stewardship Institute
Some wall mounted thermostats use mercury switches to sense and control room temperature in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Mercury thermostats were widely used in California prior to 1992 and were legal to buy until 2006. The mercury switch is a glass vial with mercury in it which conducts electricity to the temperature control equipment. Replace mercury thermostats with non-toxic programmable (digital) thermostats.
Why should mercury thermostats be recycled?
Approximately 3 grams of mercury is used in a thermostat. Disposing of old thermostats, using traditional methods (throwing out in the trash) result in breakage, allowing mercury to be released into the environment. Elemental mercury is a powerful neurotoxin and does not break down, but builds up in fish, birds and people. Inhaling or ingesting mercury over time can cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys, or to developing fetuses. The safe recovery of mercury-containing thermostats prevents pollution and protects public health.
About the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act of 2008
AB 2347 requires that beginning July 1, 2009 all heating and air conditioning wholesalers with physical locations in California will be required by law to collect end-of use thermostats from the public at no charge.
Are you a General Contractor who accepts mercury thermostats?
The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) is now offering incentives for general contractors to collect mercury thermostats in California. Incentives include free collection bins, free shipping, and $100 per full bin (minimum 40 thermostats) returned to TRC. Visit recyclethermostats.org to sign up for a bin.
Drop-off wall-mounted mercury switch thermostats at all heating and air conditioning wholesalers: for residents & businesses
Phone (707) 468-9710
Email info@mendorecycle.org
Location 3200 Taylor Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482
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