Fluorescent Ballasts Illegal in Garbage & Drains Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off is available twice a month by appointment only on Saturdays for household hazardous waste and/or universal waste. Acceptable items include over-the-counter and prescription medications, fluorescent light tubes, motor oil and used motor oil, antifreeze, paint, chemicals (pool and others), household cleaners, and pesticides. The majority of medications are accepted as household hazardous waste excluding controlled substances. Some items can be dropped off at the HHW Facility without an appointment and during hours of operation. These items include: sharps waste (syringes or lancets) properly packaged for safe disposal, (used) motor oil, filters and antifreeze. Proof of residency is required. To make an appointment to drop off your household hazardous waste on the next available Saturday at the Waste Management HHW Facility at 2880 Industry Street, please call Waste Management’s Customer Service line at (760) 439-2824. HHW must be dropped off by appointment – click for more info. Never Throw in the Garbage Fluorescent ballasts may contain toxic substances including mercury, DEHP and polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs), so they need to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Otherwise, these chemicals will leach into the water and soil. Pre-1979? Replace It Now If your ballast was made before 1979, it likely contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a highly toxic substance, and it is likely to rupture at any time. Even if it hasn’t ruptured yet, it may be slowly leaking PCBs. The EPA recommends you replace it immediately. Did You Know? Still Hazardous Even if PCB-Free In 1978 the EPA banned using PCBs in fluorescent ballasts. Newer ballasts are PCB-free and can be identified by a label that says “No PCB.” Manufacturers still use a known endocrine disruptor called DEHP, which is shown to cause liver, kidney, lung and reproductive issues.
