Click through the list below to find out how to properly dispose of various waste materials.

The San Joaquin County Agricultural Used Oil Collection Program is a partnership between the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works and CalRecycle. Small Ag businesses may dispose of used oil for free at several participating locations. Be sure to call for instructions before transporting your oil.

NAPA Tilbury Auto Parts - 1730 Jackson Ave., Escalon, CA  95320, (209) 838-3518, Map CalRecycle#: 39-C-10573

E. F. Kludt and Sons - 1126 E. Pine St, Lodi, CA 95240, (209) 466-8969, Map, CalRecycle#: 39-C-11735

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral with long, thin fibrous crystals. Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and because of its high tensile strength. Asbestos can be toxic. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Since the mid 1980s, the European Union and most developed countries have banned asbestos.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to properly dispose of this material at San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THIS MATERIAL IN THE GARBAGE!

Where Can I Take This Material For Proper Disposal?
Residents
Residents of San Joaquin County can utilize the following resources to properly dispose of certain types of asbestos:

Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Residents may take double-wetted, double-wrapped, non-friable asbestos (total load to HHW cannot exceed 125 pounds per trip) to San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for proper disposal.  Residents may transport up to 125 pounds of material (in total) per trip FREE of charge. Click on the link below or call (209) 468-3066 for more information.
Businesses
Businesses may take small quantities of double-wetted, double-wrapped, non-friable asbestos (total load to HHW cannot exceed 125 pounds per trip) to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for a fee. Click on the "Small Business HHW" link below or call (209) 468-3066 for more information.

Links:

Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Household Hazardous Waste Brochure

Small Business Hazardous Waste

Small Business Hazardous Waste Brochure

The Mesothelioma Center (external site)

Asphalt shingles are another part of the Construction & Demolition Waste stream that can be recycled. Asphalt shingles are made from felt mat saturated with asphalt and small rock granules. Asphalt shingles, when ground up to the proper size, make a cost effective input into road asphalt base. State standards for road base have been created to encourage companies to divert shingles from the landfill and into use in paving of new or patching of existing roads. This use is a more cost effective way to do roadwork that lasts as long as or longer than new asphalt roads. It keeps material out of the landfill, saves money, creates jobs, and gives homeowners and builders another way to recycle.

Below is a list of local recyclers for the San Joaquin County area.  This list is provided for informational purposes only. We suggest that you call the location for more information and details prior to delivering materials.
Cleaning out the Garage?
If you have unwanted automotive products, please dispose of these materials safely. Antifreeze, transmission, brake and other automotive fluids are hazardous because they may contain heavy metals, toxic and/or flammable additives, poisons or contaminants. If these products are handled or disposed of incorrectly, they can pose a threat to human health, animals and the environment. If they are still useable, the best way to handle these materials is to use them up or give them to someone who can. You can take both new and used automotive fluids to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility. 

Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer?
If you work on your automobile, please dispose of automotive fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid or other automotive fluid properly. Click here for used oil and used oil filter information.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to recycle or properly dispose of these materials at San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE OR POUR DOWN DRAINS!


Where Can I Take Automotive Fluids for Proper Disposal?

Residents
Residents of San Joaquin County can utilize the following resources to properly dispose of automotive fluids:

San Joaquin County Solid Waste Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Joaquin County residents can take up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for recycling and proper disposal. Click on the HHW link for more information.  
 
San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County residents can take up to 5 gallons of used oil or antifreeze to San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities. For more information on San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities click on the links listed below.
 
Businesses:
Businesses can utilize the following resources to properly dispose of automotive fluids:

San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County small businesses that qualify for the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program can deliver automotive fluids to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for a fee. Click on the "Small Business Program" link below for more information.
All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes automotive, marine, agricultural and RV lead acid, gel and amalgamated glass mat batteries. Batteries are considered hazardous because they contain toxic and/or corrosive materials and may contain sulphuric acid. Automotive batteries are rich in lead and other metals and materials that can be reused and recycled into new products. All batteries should be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste facility, a universal waste handler, or an authorized recycling facility for proper disposal.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to recycle or properly dispose of these materials at San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE OR POUR BATTERY FLUIDS DOWN DRAINS!

Where Can I Take Them for Proper Disposal?

Residents
Residents of San Joaquin County may utilize the following resources to properly dispose of automotive, marine and RV batteries:

San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Joaquin County residents may take automotive, marine, agricultural and RV lead acid, gel and amalgamated glass mat batteries to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for recycling and proper disposal. Click on the link for more information.
San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County residents may take up to three automotive, marine, agricultural and RV lead acid, gel and amalgamated glass mat batteries per trip to the San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities. For more information on San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities click on the link listed.  
Other Locations
There are many retail and other business locations that accept batteries from the public. Click on the "Other Locations" link to find additional locations that may provide battery recycling and disposal services in your area. 
Businesses:
Businesses may utilize the following resources to properly dispose of automotive, marine and RV batteries:

San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County small businesses that qualify for the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program may deliver automotive, marine, agricultural and RV lead acid, gel and amalgamated glass mat batteries to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for a small fee. Click here for more information on the County's Small Business Hazardous Waste Program.
Other Locations
There are many retail and other business locations that accept batteries from small business. Click on the "Other Locations" link below to find additional locations that may provide battery recycling and disposal services in your area.
Many electronics that we enjoy in our daily lives, from the cordless phone to that cordless drill in the garage, run on batteries. More than 3 billion batteries are sold in the US each year. All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. Batteries are considered hazardous because they contain heavy metals and toxic and/or corrosive materials. Rechargeable batteries can be recycled over and over again, reclaiming valuable materials and rare metals for use in other products.
Under California law, most major retailers in California that sell rechargeable batteries MUST have a FREE collection program made available to the public.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
Many electronics that we enjoy in our daily lives, from the tv remote control to cell phones, run on batteries. More than 3 billion batteries are sold in the US each year. All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, lithium, rechargeable and all other batteries. Batteries are considered hazardous because of the heavy metals and toxic and/or corrosive materials that they contain. All batteries should be recycled or taken to the household hazardous waste facility or a recycling location for proper disposal.
There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to recycle or properly dispose of these materials at San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
"Californians purchased more than 17.5 billion carbonated and non-carbonated drinks in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers last year. More than 10.5 billion of those containers were recycled, saving natural resources, conserving energy and extending the life of our landfills. Imagine what we’ll accomplish if we recycle the other 7 billion!" (excerpt taken from the Department of Conservation, Division of Recycling Web site.)

San Joaquin County has a number of Certified Recycling Centers located throughout the County. Please check the listing below for the location nearest you, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
Why throw away a perfectly good product such as bubble wrap, when it can be reused over and over and over again? Many stores that offer shipping and postal services will readily take clean bubble wrap for re-use. If you have clean bubble wrap that you would like to get rid of, call one of the locations below for details and conditions. Next time you are in the neighborhood of the store location, drop it off. You'll make them happy and you can feel good about helping the environment.
Cardboard is easily recycled and can be used to remanufacture new paper products, bags or boxes. San Joaquin County has several opportunities for those that have cardboard and wish to recycle it. Please contact the recycler before you make delivery to confirm that they can take these materials in the quantity and condition that they are in.

Residents:

Residents that have recycling services along with garbage pick up may put all cardboard in the recycling bin or tote.
Concrete and other inert materials such as rocks, stones, asphalt and other materials can be used over and over and should never be thrown in the landfill. There are many facilities in San Joaquin County that gladly accept these materials free of charge. These materials are frequently ground up and used as fill, road base (the rocky substrate packed down under roads, sidewalks and driveways) or as an additive to concrete or asphalt mixtures.

San Joaquin County's  Lovelace Facility in Manteca and the  North County Facility in Lodi do accept concrete, asphalt and other materials for recycling.  These facilities do have gate fees that are charged to accept these materials for recycling.
Why recycle fryer and cooking oil? 
Used cooking oil or waste vegetable oil is a valuable commodity that may be recycled. Don't pour cooking oil or grease down the drain, it just clogs the pipes and makes the sewage treatment plant unhappy. Used cooking oil may be re-refined to make lubricants, new products and bio-diesel. Bio-diesel made from cooking oil can actually power a vehicle and in the process create much less emissions than regular diesel or gasoline - it has been reported that the exhaust from these vehicle smells like french fries!

Cooking and fryer oil may be taken to the  San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility, the  Lovelace Transfer Station, or  North County Recycling Center for recycling. Limit 5 gallons per customer and please deliver in sealed containers. If you have larger quantities, please call 209-468-3066 to make arrangements.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to recycle or properly dispose of these materials at  San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
All mercury-containing devices are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded, and it is illegal for anyone to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash. Mercury contaminates our air, waterways, lakes, and ocean, a result in part from improperly discarded mercury-containing devices, and industrial activities. Mercury-containing devices include mercury fever thermometers and other devices that contain liquid mercury, such as older thermostats, pressure and vacuum gauges, counterweights, mercury switches (e.g., some motor vehicle light switches), and novelties with added mercury (e.g., some singing greeting cards and flashing athletic shoes). All mercury-containing products in your home or business must be disposed as hazardous waste when you are ready to discard them.
For information on fluorescent bulb disposal click here.

Glass tube thermometers, with a red, blue, silver, or other colored stripe in the middle to indicate temperature generally contain either mercury or alcohol. If you do not know which substance is in a thermometer, do not break it open to find out. Treat it as though it contains mercury.

Some other items that might also contain mercury include jewelry, games, maze toys, and toys that light up or make noise. To determine which of these items contain mercury, call the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s hotline at (800) 638-2772.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

Engines are made mostly of metal, which is a material that can be recycled over and over again. Many locations accept motors and products that contain motors, either fuel driven or electric. Before disposing of an engine, it is very important that it be drained of all of its fluids, including:
-Fuel
-Used oil    
-Antifreeze and other fluids

For residents of the County of San Joaquin, any fluids drained from motors or engines may be taken to the County's HHW facility for proper disposal or recycling.  Many recyclers will pay for motors and engines based upon the type and weight of the metal used to make them.

Electronics are the fastest growing portion of the municipal waste stream in the country. These items include televisions, radios, stereos, cell phones - just about anything with a circuit board, which is just about anything these days. Electronic waste or "e-waste" is banned from being disposed in the trash in California because the devices contain toxic heavy metals including lead, cadmium and mercury. According to US EPA, at least 40 percent of the lead in landfills comes from discarded electronics. Almost anything considered "electronic" can harm human health and the environment if improperly disposed, including:

  • Televisions
  • Computers
  • Computer monitors
  • Printers and other peripherals
  • Fax machines
  • Radios/ stereos/ receivers
  • VCRs/ DVD players
  • Cell phones/ PDAs/ iPods
  • Telephones
  • Telephones/ answering machines
  • Electrical Cords
  • Holiday Lights

DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE TRASH. INSTEAD, DROP THEM OFF FOR FREE AT AN E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT OR ANY OF THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FACILITIES LISTED BELOW.

 

San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street  
Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 468-3066
Thursday-Sunday
9:00am to 3:00pm
Map

Foothill Sanitary Landfill
6484 N. Waverly Rd  
Linden, CA 95236
(209) 887-3969
Monday-Saturday
7:00am to 5:00pm
Map

Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility and Transfer Station 
2323 E. Lovelace Road 
Manteca, CA 95336 
(209) 982-5770
Sunday-Saturday
7:00am to 4:00pm 
Map 

North County Landfill and Recycling Center
17720 E. Harney Lane
Lodi, CA  95240
(209) 887-3868
Sunday-Saturday
7:00am to 4:00pm   
Map

 

By law, County facilities cannot accept ammunition or explosives of any kind.

Please contact your local law enforcement agency for more information on safe disposal of these items.

Unincorporated residents – please contact County Sheriff’s Department:  (209) 468-4400

City residents – please contact your respective local Police Department:

Escalon Escalon Police 838-7093
Lathrop Lathrop Police 858-5551
Lodi Lodi Police 333-6728
Manteca Manteca Police 456-8100
Ripon Ripon Police 599-2102
Stockton Stockton Police 937-8377
Tracy Tracy Police 831-6550

All fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded because they contain mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal. Mercury vapors from broken bulbs can be absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream, released to the environment, and washed into waterways. Mercury-containing bulbs include: compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, (including “low-mercury” lamps) and fluorescent tubes; as well as High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps, including metal halide lamps (sometimes used as floodlights for large indoor and outdoor areas), sodium lamps (sometimes used for security lighting and outdoor floodlights), and mercury vapor lamps (sometimes used for street lighting). All fluorescent lamps and tubes must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste facility, a universal waste handler, or an authorized recycling facility for proper disposal.
Products Containing Mercury:

Bulbs containing mercury include:

  • Mercury Vapor
  • High Pressure Sodium
  • Metal Halide
  • Neon/Argon Lights
  • Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Fluorescent Tubes
  • "U" Shaped Fluorescent tubes
  • Aquarium/Terrarium Fluorescent Lights

Other Products containing mercury include:

  • A/C and HVAC Thermostats
  • Mercury Switches
  • Temperature thermometers
  • Non digital or non "dial type" cooking thermometers


There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

  
Glass is a sustainable material that is 100% recyclable and is one of the few materials that can be recycled over and over and over again with no loss in quality. Glass is one of the most popular materials recycled by manufacturers today, both because of the purity of the ingredients and the ease of recycling. The Gallo Glass Company is a local company to San Joaquin County that is a major user of recycled glass in the Central Valley area, producing over 1 billion new bottles using glass collected at recycling sites throughout California.

Every ton of glass that is recycled saves more than a ton of the raw materials needed to create new glass, including: over 1,000 pounds of sand, and just under half a ton of soda ash and limestone. Making glass from raw materials requires a lot of energy and high temperatures.
Many of us have more household cleaners and chemicals than we can use, but what do you do when you want to get rid of these products? The best way is to use them up or give them to someone who can use them. If you can't use them or give them away, take them to the San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the San Joaquin County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.

Many common household cleaning products are hazardous because they contain corrosive, toxic, flammable, or reactive ingredients. If these products are handled or disposed of incorrectly, they can pose a threat to human health, animals and the environment.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!


Household Hazardous Waste Re Use Room

If the products or items dropped off at the HHW are: 1) useable, 2) not a banned product and 3) are full enough to make it worthwhile, our hazardous materials specialists will place them in the HHW Re-Use Room.  This allows other county residents who can use these products can take them home FREE of charge. Why waste a perfectly good product by placing it in the trash when someone out there can re-use it?  You can feel good about helping the environment and helping people save a few bucks.

You must be an adult and sign a liability waiver in order to participate in this program. Items taken are for personal use and cannot be sold.

The Rules for the Re Use Room are:

-You must be 18 or older to take item(s);
-You can only take items from the room once per week;
-There is a limit of 5 paint items per vehicle per week;
-There is a limit of 10 total items per vehicle per week;
-The liability waiver must be completed before leaving the Re Use Room.
The San Joaquin County Marina Used Oil Collection Program is a partnership between local marinas, the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works and CalRecycle. Recreational boaters may dispose of used oil for free at several participating locations. The program accepts uncontaminated used oil, oil filters and offers a bilge pad swap program.  Please check with the site manager if you have used oil, used oil filters or used bilge pads that need to be collected for recycling or disposal.

   Mattresses 

Metal is a material that can be melted down and used over and over again. All scrap metal should be recycled and never thrown in the garbage. Scrap metal includes ferrous metals (iron and steel) and nonferrous materials (aluminum, copper, tin, brass).  There are many standards and grades for metals and the standards and grades affect paid rates.  Prices vary from day to day and between different salvage yards.  Please contact the salvage company to find out current scrap metal salvage rates.
Organic materials are any substances derived from living or once living organisms. For our purposes we are referring to substances ranging from soil to tree trimmings and landscape waste. There are many facilities in San Joaquin County that recycle these materials, but most (if not all) will not take this material free of charge. Below is a list of local vendors who will take certain organic materials and recycle them for a fee.
Got too much paint left over in the garage? 
Join the club. Many of us have more paint and coatings (stains, waterproofing products etc.) stored than we know what to do with. How do you properly dispose of these materials? The best way is to use them up or give them to someone who can use them. If you can't use them or give them away, take them to San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) or use a free PaintCare Drop-Off Site. These sites accept both WATER and OIL Based paints.

Save money and avoid waste by buying the right amount of paint! Make sure you don't buy more paint than you really need: use this interactive calculator from the Paint Quality Institute, or try our printable card to help determine how much paint you need for your project.
Why can't I throw it in the garbage?
Paints contain resins, solvents, pigments, and additives that are toxic and/or flammable. Although water-based latex paint is less hazardous than oil-based paint, its ingredients are hazardous to human health and the environment and it must be managed as a hazardous waste at time of disposal.

HHW Re-Use Room
If the products or items dropped off at the HHW are: 1) useable, 2) not a banned product and 3) are full enough to make it worthwhile, our hazardous materials specialists will place them in the HHW Re-Use Room, where other county residents who can use these products can take them home FREE of charge. Why waste a perfectly good product by placing it in the trash when someone out there can re-use it? You can feel good about helping the environment and helping people save a few bucks.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the HHW Facility for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
Paper is everywhere! We have it delivered to our homes and businesses in the form of newspapers and mail, we use it constantly at work and school and most of the products that we purchase have paper incorporated in into the packaging. Paper is one of the most versatile and most utilized resources in our everyday lives. Paper is made up of fibers that can be recycled over and over again saving energy in the manufacturing process and conserving natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
Many people have a garage full of pesticides, fertilizers and other yard and garden products. What do you do when you want to get rid of these products? The best way is to use them up or give them to someone who can use them. If you can't use them or give them away, take them to the San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW).

HHW Re-Use Room 
If the products or items dropped off at the HHW are: 1) useable, 2) not a banned product and 3) are full enough to make it worthwhile, our hazardous materials specialists will place them in the HHW Re-Use Room , where other county residents who can use these products can take them home FREE of charge. Why waste a perfectly good product by placing it in the trash when someone out there can re-use it? You can feel good about helping the environment and helping people save a few bucks.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the HHW Facility for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!
It seems like just about everyone has a million of these lying around the house or at least many more than they can use. Here's what you can do with left over shopping bags:

Many grocery stores in San Joaquin County recycle clean used plastic shopping bags, look for the receptacles at the front of the store next time you're there.

Some pet waste stations in local parks and along waterways have receptacles that use "volunteer" bags. These volunteers take their extra shopping bags and place them in receptacles so that they may be used again for pet owners to clean up after their pets. Not only does this provide a good re-use for plastic bags, it also helps to keep the waters of the Delta clean.

Show off your "green" attitude by using re-useable bags when shopping!
Railroad ties, telephone poles and treated posts contain creosote. Creosote is obtained from high temperature distillation of coal tar (itself a mixture of hundreds of organic substances), and over 100 components in creosote have been identified as hazardous. Creosote is used as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and sporicide to protect wood and is applied by pressure methods to wood products, primarily utility poles and railroad ties.

Railroad ties and treated posts can not be thrown in the trash. These materials must be disposed of in special landfills that are designed for this type of hazardous material.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

   Tires

Many homes and just about every business in the US has some sort of copier or printer. These items use replaceable toner and inkjet cartridges of which millions are produced every year. Do not throw these items away as they are easy to recycle.  For retailers who accept cartridges for recycling, please contact the store for details on how you can participate in the store's recycling program.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

Pressure treated lumber contains hazardous chemicals that act as a wood preservative used primarily for building outdoor structures. Different compounds that pressure treated wood is subjected to include fungicides, insecticides, miticides, and sporicides to protect wood and is applied by pressure methods to wood and lumber products.

Pressure treated wood and posts can not be thrown in the trash. These materials must be disposed of in special landfills that are designed for this type of hazardous material.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

Foothill Sanitary Landfill, 6484 N. Waverly Rd., Linden, CA 95236
(209) 887-3969

Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility and Transfer Station, 2323 E. Lovelace Rd., Manteca, CA 95336
(209) 982-5770

North County Recycling Center, 17720 East Harney Lane, Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 887-3868

San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street, Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 468-3066

Hazardous waste regulations designate a category of hazardous wastes called "Universal Waste." This category includes many items, such as fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, instruments that contain mercury, batteries, and other electronic devices. In California all universal wastes are banned from the trash. For a more detailed description of California universal wastes see the fact sheet,  Managing Universal Waste In California, by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.

To deliver the public better information, this website has broken down Universal Waste into smaller categories of materials. For more information on the recycling and proper disposal of these materials see our  Universal Waste Brochure and visit our  How do I recycle or properly dispose of..." page.

Why recycle used oil and filters?
Because used motor oil never wears out. It gets dirty, but it can be recycled, cleaned, and used again and again. Recycling used motor oil conserves a natural resource (oil) and is good for the environment too! Motor oil contains heavy metals and other hazardous materials. When poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into the trash (even in a sealed container), it can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers. Recycling your used motor oil reduces this pollution threat. When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling, you are protecting the environment and conserving a valuable resource, reducing our reliance on foreign exports. That's a winning combination! Oil filters are easily recycled as well. They contain a lot of used oil (that is difficult to fully drain without special equipment) and valuable metals.

San Joaquin County Used Oil and Used Oil Filter Collection Program
San Joaquin County began its Used Oil Collection Program in 1995, with 20 collection locations. In 2009, the program has grown to over 60 locations throughout San Joaquin County. In August of 2003 the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility opened its doors to all County residents and is an additional location for used oil and oil filter collection. San Joaquin County collects over 500,000 gallons of used oil through it's Certified Collection Centers every year. Twenty percent of this figure is directly attributed to Do-It-Yourself used oil dropped off by residents of the County.

Used oil filters are recyclable too!
Used oil filters are just as easy to recycle as used oil!  Once you have drained out the oil from the oil filter, put the filter into a zipper style plastic bag and seal it closed.  Then when you take your used oil to your neighborhood Certified Collection Center, take the used oil filter as well.  The filter can then be shipped off for recycling.  Thanks to your help, our neighborhoods and waterways are kept just a little cleaner.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the
County's HHW Facility or Certified Collection Centers for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

Wood can be recycled very easily and made into a variety of different products from particle board to mulch to fuel for co-generation plants. Unfortunately, there aren't many places where you can take wood to be recycled for free. Those that do take wood products for free often demand that loads are clean and that they contain only certain types of wood products that have not been painted or finished in any way whatsoever. Below is a list of locations that recycle wood for free or for a fee. Typically this fee is below the cost of taking this material to landfill facilities.

No Pressure Treated Lumber or Railroad Ties are Included in this Category!!

Foothill Sanitary Landfill, 6484 N. Waverly Rd., Linden, CA 95236
(209) 887-3969

North County Recycling Center, 17720 East Harney Lane, Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 887-3868

Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility & Transfer Station, 2323 East Lovelace Road, Manteca, CA 95336
(209) 982-5770

San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street, Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 468-3066

Tracy Material Recovery & Transfer Facility, 30703 S MacArthur Dr., Tracy, CA 95377-9170
(209) 832-2355

Clean Planet, Inc., 250 Port Road 23, Stockton, CA
(209) 463-1067

Sierra Wood Shavings, Inc., 938 E. French Camp Road, French Camp, CA 95231
(209)-982-0552
Wood or shake shingles is another part of the Construction & Demolition Waste stream that can be recycled. Wood shingles, being organic, are easy to grind up into mulch that can be used as landscaping material. The mulch provides a way to conserve water, reduce weed growth, and enhance the beauty of a natural landscape. Along with these benefits, it keeps organic material out of the landfill, saves money, creates jobs, and gives homeowners and builders another way to recycle.

No Pressure Treated Lumber or Railroad Ties are Included in this Category!!

North County Recycling Center, 17720 East Harney Lane, Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 887-3868

Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility & Transfer Station, 2323 East Lovelace Road, Manteca, CA 95336
(209) 982-5770

Tracy Material Recovery & Transfer Facility, 30703 S MacArthur Dr., Tracy, CA 95377-9170
(209) 832-2355

Clean Planet, Inc., 250 Port Road 23, Stockton, CA
(209) 463-1067

Sierra Wood Shavings, Inc., 938 E. French Camp Road, French Camp, CA 95231
(209)-982-0552
Solid Waste Administrative Office
1810 East Hazelton Avenue
Stockton, CA 95205
Phone: (209) 468-3066
Fax: (209) 468-3078
Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Email us with questions at: solidwaste@sjgov.org