ORANGE COUNTY, CA (May 12, 2023) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is now accepting smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors from Orange County residents for free recycling at all four County-operated Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (HHWCC).
The safe disposal of household smoke detectors is important, but often limited, as they commonly contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The devices contain circuit boards and other components made from gold and metals that can be recycled. OCWR’s new service provides a convenient option specific to OC residents. Smoke detectors removed from businesses will not be accepted due to permit regulations.
"We’re proud to offer this service to our residents, and keep hazardous materials out of landfills,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “Smoke detector disposal can be difficult; many options require residents to package and mail the device back to the manufacturer. We look forward to providing this convenient public resource to residents throughout the County.”
Disposal is available via drive-through. Residents simply place items in the trunk and head over to a HHWCC. Upon arrival, trained staff will collect the detectors for recycling.
Visits to HHWCCs present an opportunity to dispose of other unwanted household hazardous waste such as e-waste, paint, pesticides, household chemicals, automotive products, batteries, or e-cigarette cartridges. E-waste such as televisions, tablets, old cell phones and computers are also accepted. Plus, residents are encouraged to ask for a FREE battery collection recycling bucket, available while supplies last.
The four HHWCCs are conveniently located in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano, open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except holidays and rainy days).
- Anaheim Collection Center -- 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, 92806
- Huntington Beach Collection Center -- 17121 Nichols Lane, 92647, Gate 6
- Irvine Collection Center -- 6411 Oak Canyon, 92618
- San Juan Capistrano Collection Center -- 32250 Avenida La Pata, 92675
For information on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste visit OCLandfills.com/hazardous-waste. For general recycling questions visit OCRecycleGuide.com.
About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, two compost greeneries, with a third greenery opening early 2023, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OCLandfills.com.
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