HOW DO I?

Proper Disposal & Diversion

Published on March 23, 2018. Last modified on October 18, 2024

Our county roads are littered with household garbage, recyclables, green waste, waste tires, demolition debris, hazardous waste, electronics and household appliances, mattresses and box springs. All of this waste can be disposed of safely at various locations throughout the county, for little to no cost.

USE YOUR TRASH, GREEN WASTE, AND RECYCLE RECEPTICAL BINS

Garbage, trash, green waste, and recyclable receptacles bin are provided by your local collection services. Help dispose of your waste by using your services.Learn more about collection services

DIVERT YOUR WASTE TO A PERMITTED DISPOSAL FACILITY

All materials can be properly disposed. Most items are free or inexpensive to divert.Learn More About Waste Diversion At A Permitted Disposal Facility

FREE DISPOSAL FOR YOUR SHARPS CONTAINERS AND EXPIRED MEDICATION

Sharps generated at home and your expired pharmaceuticals can be disposed of for free.Learn More About Sharps Container And Expired Medication Drop-off Locations

DISPOSE OF TIRES

Tires are illegally left on the side of our roads. There are locations to drop-off your tires.Find Out More about Proper Tire Disposal

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING

Help report Illegal Dumping on Roadside Online. Report Online

DONATE & RECYCLE

Many items can be reused or recycled.Learn About Donating and Recycling Still Usable Items. Learn About Donating and Recycling Still Useable Items.

Illegal Dumping Main Page

USE YOUR TRASH, GREEN WASTE, AND RECYCLING (RECEPTICAL BINS) COLLECTION SERVICES (AND REQUIREMENTS)

Your local collection services pick-up and haul your trash, recycling, and green waste to a permitted disposal facility.
Weekly solid waste pickups are mandatory at all stores, shops, offices, restaurants, hospitals, residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
It is illegal to dispose of trash in dumpsters or containers other than your own or to bury waste (except dead animals).
Who is my trash, green waste and recycling collection service provider?

If you are a business or resident, your Collection Service Providers and the cities they service are listed below:

Greenwaste - 831-920-6707)
- City of Carmel-by-the Sea
- City of Del Rey Oaks
- City of Marina
- City of Pacific Grove
- Sand City
- City of Seaside
Monterey Disposal Services (831-372-7977)

City of Monterey

Republic Services of Salinas (831-775-3840

City of Salinas

Tri-Cities(1-800-678-6798)

City of Greenfield,
City of Gonzales, and
City of Soledad

Waste Management (1-800-321-8226)

King City and
Unincorporated cities in Monterey County

Visit Monterey County Recycling Resource and Recovery Services
Policies and Legislation for Mandatory collection services

COLLECTION SERVICES EXEMPTION

Residents may refuse collection services and haul their own waste and recyclables to a permitted disposal site.

Must meet Mandatory Garbage Exemptions and Criteria to be eligible

COMMERCIAL (SOLID WASTE) HAULERS

Commercial Haulers must obtain a permit from the Monterey County Health Department and must follow the requirements of each city where they operate. Please call (831) 755-4505 for more information.

WHAT TO DO WITH WASTE THAT DOES NOT GO INTO OR CAN'T FIT IN YOUR COLLECTION BINS

Nearly ALL types of waste can be properly disposed.

Divert your waste, mattresses, household hazardous waste (HHW) and chemicals, household appliances, electronics, and miscellaneous items to a Permitted Disposal Facility. (MOST OF THE DISPOSAL FEES FOR THESE ITEMS ARE FREE or INEXPENSIVE!)

WHAT IS HAZARDOUS WASTE?

Definition: Hazardous Waste is any waste that may ignite, explode, are corrosive, or are toxic to living organisms and to the environment.
- Learn the Basics of Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is often free or inexpensive to dispose of. (Disposal Facilities that accepts HHW are indicated in bold listed below under Permitted Disposal Facilities).
- Residents can transport HHW to permitted disposal facilities.
- Click to See Examples
  - Aerosols
  - Antifreeze (and Other Auto Products)
  - Auto Batteries
  - Cleaners (Bleach, Drain Openers, Toilet Cleaners)
  - Cooking Oil/Grease
  - Electronic Waste (TVs, Computers, Cell Phones, Etc.)
  - Fluorescent Light Bulbs & Tubes
  - Paint (Latex or Oil-Based)
  - Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Other Garden Chemicals
  - Mercury Containing Items (Thermometers, Thermostats, Etc.)
  - Thinners and Solvents
  - Used Motor Oil and Filters

ARE YOU A BUSINESS AND GENERATE HAZARDOUS WASTE?

PERMITTED DISPOSAL FACILITIES

Click here to see permitted landfills, transfer stations, and recycling and disposal facilities

MONTEREY REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (MONTEREY PENINSULA LANDFILL AND MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY) (Accepts HHW)

Location: 14201 Del Monte Blvd., Marina, CA 93933
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Phone #: (831) 384-5313
For more information on waste and recyclables accepted, disposal services or fees, visit Monterey Regional Waste Management District. (For fees or waste accepted, click on "Disposal Fees" in the link.
For more information on household waste and chemicals accepted, click here. (For accepted HHW, click on "Accepted Materials". For fees, click on "Household Hazardous Waste Brochure".

SALINAS VALLEY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY

Locations:
- SUN STREET TRANSFER STATION (Accepts HHW at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility inside the facility)
  - Location: 139 Sun St., Salinas, CA 93901
  - Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
  - Phone #: (831) 424-5535
- HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY (Accepts HHW)
  - Location: 139 Sun St., Salinas, CA 93901
  - Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
  - Phone #: (831) 424-5520
  - For more information on waste and recyclables accepted and disposal fees, click here. (For fees, click on "Effective July 1, 2017" in the link.)
- JOHNSON CANYON LANDFILL
  - Location: 31400 Johnson Canyon Rd., Gonzales, CA 93926
  - Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
  - Phone #: (831) 675-2165
- JOLON ROAD TRANSFER STATION
  - Location: 52654 Jolon Rd., King City, CA 93930
  - Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 12:00pm
  - Phone #: (831) 385-6213

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Locations:
- BRADLEY TRANSFER STATION
  - Only open to residential customers who live within city limits of Bradley
  - Location: 1/4 mile North of Bradley - Bradley Rd., Bradley, CA
  - Hours: Saturday 8:00am - 12:00pm
  - Phone #: (800) 321-8226
  - Waste Accepted:
    - Residential Waste - includes all types of domestic garbage and rubbish which originate in residential dwellings.
  - Waste Not Accepted:
    - Hazardous Waste - batteries, paint or any liquid wastes (i.e. sewage sludge, industrial waste, water treatment sludge, grit screening or other liquid content wastes, designated waste, wastes requiring special handling, or untreated medical waste.
- CARMEL VALLEY TRANSFER STATION
  - Location: 9 Pilot Rd., Carmel Valley, CA 93924
  - Hours: Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm
  - Phone #: (800) 321-8226
  - Waste Accepted:
    - Residential refuse, household rubbish, commercial refuse, construction and demolition, yard and lawn trimmings, metals and appliances.
  - Waste Not Accepted:
    - Hazardous Waste - paints, solvents, sprays, motor oil, insecticides, medical waste, and any waste listed by the State of California as hazardous.
    - Liquid Waste - any refuse/debris/rubbish container exceeding 50% moisture.
    - Special Waste - untreated medical waste or other waste requiring special handling that is not accepted by the Monterey Regional Waste Management District.
- SAN ARDO TRANSFER STATION
  - Only open to residential customers who live within city limits of San Ardo
  - Location: Cattleman Rd., San Ardo, CA
  - Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
  - Phone #: (800) 321-8226
  - Waste Accepted:
    - Residential Waste - includes all types of domestic garbage and rubbish which originate in residential dwellings.
  - Waste Not Accepted:
    - Hazardous Waste - batteries, paint or any liquid wastes (i.e. sewage sludge, industrial waste, water treatment sludge, grit screenings or other liquid content wastes, designated waste, wastes requiring special handling, or untreated medical waste.

REPUBLIC SERVICES

REPUBLIC SERVICES – POST COLLECTION SERVICES OF SALINAS

Location: 1120 Madison Ln, Salinas, CA 93907
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone #: (800) 321-8226
Waste Accepted:

Residential Waste – includes all types of domestic garbage and rubbish which originate in residential dwellings.
Commercial Waste – includes all types of solid wastes generated by stores and other commercial sources.

Waste Not Accepted:

Hazardous waste – Batteries, paint or any liquid wastes (i.e. sewage sludge, industrial waste, water treatment sludge, grit screenings or other liquid content wastes, designated waste, wastes requiring special handling, or untreated medical waste.

DIVERT YOUR HOME GENERATE SHARPS CONTAINER OR EXPIRED MEDICATION

WHERE DO I DISPOSE OF MY SHARPS CONTAINER OR EXPIRED MEDICATION GENERATED AT HOME?

FREE disposal is available for residents ONLY (not including businesses that generate medical waste).

WHAT ARE SHARPS?

WHAT TO DO WITH MY SHARPS IF I AM A BUSINESS?

Contact Monterey County Environmental Health Department Medical Waste Services at (831) 755-4505.
Businesses that generate Medical Waste shall register as a Medical Waste Generator with Monterey County Health Department.

DIVERT YOUR USED OR OLD (WASTE) TIRES

Free Tire Recycling for residents only
- For more information, visit Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority.
- Residents and business can haul less than 10 used or waste tires to a Permitted Disposal Facility
- ONLY Registered Used and Waste Tire Haulers can haul 10 or more waste tire and/or used tires.
- Businesses that generate waste tires are required to obtain a Tire Program Identification Certificate.
  - For more information, contact Monterey County Health Bureau at (831) 755-4505 or
  - Contact CalRecycle's hotline at (866) 896-0600