PED Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program
The Pala Environmental Department would like to understand better the types of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in homes in our community. We are asking Pala community members to please take a few minutes to read this information and complete the checklist form in the HHW Audit & Checklist section towards the bottom of the page.
The checklist will provide the Pala Environmental Department with real-time data that will enable us to serve the Pala Community’s needs.
What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
HHW includes unused or leftover hazardous chemicals or materials from products such as cleaning solutions, paints, or solvents. HHW is usually labeled DANGER, WARNING, TOXIC, CAUTION, POISON, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, or REACTIVE.
Even though these products are labeled as toxic or hazardous, when used following the directions on the label, they are safe to use; however, they can still be harmful to the environment. But there are safer alternatives! How can you tell?
Information on Labels
Look for this information on the labels:
- Biodegradable
- Low toxicity
- Low VOC
- Hypoallergenic
- Chlorine-free
- No ammonia
- Solvents made from citrus or pine
Logos on Labels and Containers
Look for these logos:
Watch out for Greenwashing
A package that says environmentally friendly, eco-safe, organic, natural, or green doesn’t mean it is. Signs of greenwashing include no proof, vague wording, and irrelevance.
What’s the Big Deal?
One gallon of used motor oil can contaminate one million gallons of water. Help protect sanitation workers from exposure to dangerous chemicals. When incompatible chemicals mix, there is the potential for explosion and fire. Protects you and your family’s health- many chemicals burn skin or airways.
Properly Store HHW
How to properly store HHW:
- Follow any instructions provided on product labels
- Make sure the container is sealed so that it doesn’t leak
- When possible, store items in their original container
- Make sure the container is labeled
- Do not throw HHW in the trash
- Never store HHW in food containers
- Never mix HHW with other products
Dispose of HHW in Pala
Steps to dispose of HHW in Pala:
- Get a red bin from the Pala Transfer Station, 760-742-1781,
- Collect your property stored HHW in the red bin,
- When full, put the red bin out with your regular curbside trash and recycling, and
- Watch our quarterly HHW collection events if you have to dispose of a large amount.
Dispose of HHW Outside of Pala
If you live outside of Pala, reach out to your local waste management company to find out how to properly dispose of your HHW.
PED Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Checklist
To help the Pala Environmental Department get a better idea of the kinds of household hazardous waste (HHW) materials in our community, please fill out the attached HHW Checklist. Follow the checklist to see what kind of HHW is in your home. Please keep the information for future reference.
Complete your HHW Audit
How to complete your HHW Audit:
- Search your house (under the sink, the laundry room, the garage, etc.) and check off the items you find on the HHW Checklist below,
- Once completed, submit the completed form (see options below checklist) or use the online HHW Checklist form.
Use of Information
The Pala Environmental Department will use the information to tailor our outreach to the community’s needs. You can use it to keep track of HHW in your home.
Return your Checklist
To return your completed HHW Checklist, you have several options:
- Online. Complete our online HHW Checklist form. (See Google Form section above.)
- Email. Scan or take a picture of the completed HHW Checklist and email it to us: Alexis Wallick, awallick@palatribe.com, 760-891-3537
- Drop off. Drop off the HHW Checklist at the PED office in the Pala Admin Building. (We can photocopy it for you.)
Pala Environmental Department
For more information, contact Alexis Wallick of the Pala Environment Department:
760-891-3537 | awallick@palatribe.com | ped.palatribe.com
Download the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Audit & Checklist
Feel free to download the Household Hazardous Waste Audit & Checklist (1.5MB, .pdf).
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