Residential Hazardous Waste

Residential Hazardous Wastes are products, purchased for use in or around the home, that when improperly discarded, may threaten human health or the environment.

These products include: household cleaners; deodorizers; pesticides; herbicides; insecticides; pet care products; paint products; photographic chemicals; swimming pool chemicals; and automotive products & fluids. Even though a product can be easily purchased at the local store, it can still be harmful to you, your family and the environment.

To identify these products, check the container label for words, such as:

Danger
Warning
Corrosive
Flammable
Explosive
Oxidizer
Irritant
Harmful
Fatal
Poison

Disposing of Residential Hazardous Waste in your trash or dumping it down storm drains or into the sewer and septic systems can be dangerous to your health, the health of others and the environment. Thrown into your trash can, Residential Hazardous Waste can pose a threat to trash collectors and workers. Dumped on the ground or street, Residential Hazardous Waste can be absorbed into the ground water supply, enter storm drains and eventually pollute the Kern River.

What can I do with my Residential Hazardous Waste?

Only buy what you can use. Share leftovers with friends, neighbors, etc.
Recycle used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, car batteries and latex paint.
Buy safer alternatives to hazardous household products.
Store unused products in a safe, dry, cool place.
Follow label directions.
For legal, safe disposal of Residential Hazardous Waste, bring it to one of the permanent Kern County Special Waste Facilities in Bakersfield, Mojave or Ridgecrest, Or find out about one-day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in your community.

Residential Hazardous Waste can be dropped off at one of three County Special Waste Facilities or at a one-day Hazardous Waste Collection Event noted below.

Bakersfield
Mojave
Ridgecrest

Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Special Waste Facility is located at 4951 Standard Street, (southwest corner of Standard and Foster Streets) in Bakersfield, California.

Operational Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Stop 'n' Shop

Stop n Shop Check out the free “Stop 'n' Shop” Program which is only available at the Bakersfield Special Waste Facility. The Stop ‘n’ Shop is a reuse and recycling program that offers the community a great opportunity to collect a variety of used paints, household cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and much more – free of charge! It can save you money on the purchase of items and it reduces the cost of disposing of perfectly good products. The Stop 'n' Shop is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

In order to provide residential hazardous waste collection event services to residents in outlying County communities, the following One-Day Collection Events are as scheduled:

Date	Location	Time	Details
November 23, 2024	Ridgecrest Special Waste Facility	10 AM - 1 PM	Flyer (11-24 Ridgecrest)
December 6, 2024	Tehachapi Landfill	9 AM - 1 PM	Flyer (12-24 Tehachapi)
December 7, 2024	Tehachapi Landfill	9 AM - 1 PM	Flyer (12-24 Tehachapi)
December 14, 2024	Ridgecrest Special Waste Facility	10 AM - 1 PM	Flyer (12-24 Ridgecrest)
December 28, 2024	Ridgecrest Special Waste Facility	10 AM - 1 PM	Flyer (12-24 Ridgecrest)

*Business waste not accepted. Collection events may be canceled due to weather conditions.

What can I expect when I visit the Special Waste Facility?

You will drive up to the collection area, put your vehicle in park and turn off the engine. State regulations require you to remain in your vehicle when delivering hazardous waste and refrain from smoking. If you wish to have a container returned to you, please notify the staff immediately. Some containers may not be returnable.

An attendant will give you a short form to complete. It’s easy – just your name, address, and signature.

While you fill out the form, an attendant will remove the household hazardous waste from your trunk or back seat. You return the clipboard to the attendant and you drive away. That's it!

Transportation Guidelines for Residents

Prior to transporting your waste to one of the facilities, please follow these rules:

A maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste/material may be transported, per vehicle, per trip.
The contents of any single container of waste/material may not exceed five gallons.
Do not mix waste/material.
Waste should be in the original container. If not label the container as to its contents.
Containers must be closed, sturdy, not leaking, and protected from breakage.
Permanent facilities and household hazardous waste collection events are for Kern County residents only.

Accepted
Not Accepted

What products can a resident bring to the Special Waste Facility?

Acceptable Materials:

Aerosol Spray Cans (paint, cleaners, lubricants)
Antifreeze
Batteries (Alkaline, Lead-acid, Rechargeable, Button Type)
Cleaning Products (oven, window, drain, polishes)
Cosmetics (nail polish, polish remover, perfume)
Electronics (TVs-19″ or less, cell phones, computers, alarm clocks, microwave ovens)
Expired Medications
Grease/Lubricants
Ink & Toner Cartridges
Fluorescent Lamps (tubes & compacts)
Mercury (thermometers, thermostats)
Oil filters
Paint & Paint related products (Latex & Oil Base)
Personal Care Products (hair dyes, sprays, lotions)
PCB Light Ballasts
Pesticides/Herbicides
Photo Chemicals
Pool Chemicals
Propane Tanks (BBQ & Camping size)
Sharps (Home Generated Sources Only)
Used Motor Oil

Be advised: Kern County is not responsible for the security of personal or private information contained on electronic devices or hard drives. If you have concerns about the security of this data, please take any measures necessary to secure or erase this data from the device prior to dropping off at a Special Waste Collection Facility.

Sharps Disposal Program

(Home generated sources only.)

Improper disposal of used “sharps” (needles, syringes and lancets) can injure children, home health care providers, sanitation workers and pets. Now there is a safe solution! Bring your used sharps to one of the three Kern County Special Waste Facility locations for proper and convenient disposal. Free “Biohazard” rigid plastic sharps containers are available at the collection facilities for you to use at home.

How the program works:

The resident will deliver home generated sharps in a rigid “Biohazard” container to one of three Special Waste Facilities in Kern County or a one-day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
The resident will be given a Free “Biohazard” sharps container, at The Special Waste Facility to take home (when supplies are available).
Once your “Biohazard” container is full, bring it to one of the Kern County Special Waste Facilities and exchange it for an empty one.

Sharps will not be accepted in:

Liquid detergent bottles
Bleach Bottles
Coffee cans
Glass containers
Milk jugs or soda bottles

Do not attempt to remove, bend, break or recap the needle. This program is available for home generated sharps only. Sharps are not accepted from businesses such as doctors offices or home health care companies.

For more information on the Sharps Program call (661) 862-8900 OR (800) 552-KERN. If you have additional questions, regarding correct disposal of home-generated medical waste, please call Kern County Environmental Health Services at (661) 862-8700.