Household Toxic Waste Roundups Set

A series of free one-day household hazardous waste roundups have been scheduled by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County to provide residents with the opportunity to properly dispose of a wide range of unwanted household chemicals, including paints, oil and pesticides. It is illegal to dump these items into sewers, storm drains or trash barrels.

The collected waste, which may be toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive, is processed by specially licensed hazardous waste management contractors. More than 90% is recycled--latex paints are made available for cities to use in covering graffiti; oil-based paints are used as an alternative fuel source for the manufacturing of cement.

Here is a schedule of upcoming roundups:

Aug. 28: Hughes Electron Dynamics Division, 3100 W. Lomita Blvd., Torrance. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11: Aerojet Corp., 1100 W. Hollyvale St., Azusa. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18: Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Social Services, 1326 W. Imperial Highway, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 25: City Yard, 6900 Bissell St., Huntington Park. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17: Calabasas Landfill, 5300 Lost Hills Road, Agoura. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23: Brackett Field, 6515 McKinley Ave., La Verne. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call the County Department of Public Works HHW Hotline at (800) 552-5218 or the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County at (310) 908-4286.