Disposing of hazardous waste appropriately is the responsibility of every visitor, renter, homeowner, and business withing ECCFPD's jurisdiction. If hazardous waste is not disposed appropriately, it can become not only a life safety issue but it can be very harmful for the environment.

Please review the information below that defines how to appropriately dispose of batteries, E-waste, Pharmaceuticals, sharps, and Paint.

ECCFPD has partnered with the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility located at 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway in Pittsburg to assist with assuring residents have access to disposal of hazardous waste.

Delta Diablo is the lead public agency for the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility located at 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway in Pittsburg. 

Delta Diablo hosts three special community household hazardous waste collection events three times per year for residents who live further away from our permanent facility.  All East County residents may utilize any of the special collection events.

Specific details for Oakley, Brentwood and Discovery Bay are available by clicking the following link, and or, as defined bellow::  https://www.deltadiablo.org/residents/household-hazardous-waste/special-events.

How much does your lifestyle depend on household batteries?
Look around your home or workplace. Count the number of batteries used to power cell phones, telephones, computers, watches, music devices, remote controls, cameras, smoke detectors, games, toys, hearing aids, flashlights, power tools, and more! How much do you know about the batteries you rely on every day? Do you throw toxic batteries into the garbage instead of recycling them? If so, does this make you responsible for battery toxins causing serious harm to people, animals, crops, and nature?  To find out more information, read the wonderful battery brochure developed by the City of Pittsburg below.

What is E-waste?
E-waste (short for electronic waste) is a popular informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life."  Computers, televisions, VCRs, steros, copiers, cell phones, and fax machines are common electronic products that make up one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream.

Because of the heavy metals and other toxic substances contained in many electronic products, it is illegal to dispose of e-waste in the trash.  To encourage and help our residents comply with the new laws about e-waste, the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility has added e-waste to the hazardous items now being accepted for recycling and disposal.

Types of e-waste accepted at the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility:

• Televisions (CRTs, LCDs, Plasmas)
• Computer Monitors
• Computer Peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc.)
• Laptops/Netbooks/Tablets
• Printers
• Copiers
• Fax Machines
• Portable Electronic Equipment (MP3 Players, PDAs, etc.)
• Telephones
• Cell Phones
• Answering machines
• Cameras
• VCRs
• DVD/CD Players
• Stereo Equipment
• Speakers
• Scanners
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) devices
• Microwave ovens

*The facility does not accept large appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.

 Pharmaceuticals

Why?

Pharmaceuticals and unwanted or expired medications can be dangerous for a number of reasons:

How to Package
Pills should be poured out into Ziploc bags (it protects your privacy and lowers our cost). It’s ok to mix all your pills in one bag.

Liquids and creams: leave in their original container and secure caps/lids and black out any personally identifying information. Inhalers and aerosol cans are okay.

Bring to the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility – open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm (except holidays).
Controlled Substances
Controlled substances are drugs that have high potential for abuse and may lead to physical psychological dependent and cannot legally be accepted at the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Examples include:

• Narcotic pain medications like vicodin, oxycontin, and codeine
• Sleeping pills like Valium, Lunesta, and Ambien
• Behavioral drugs: ADD/ADHD drugs like Concerta & Adderall; Antidepressants like Zoloft
• Cough syrups with codeine
• If you’re not sure, check the internet, check with your pharmacist, or check the DEA Website

There are currently two sites in East Contra Costa County that can accept controlled substances:

• Antioch Police Department - 300 "L" Street, Antioch
• Pittsburg Police Department - 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg

Other Take-Back Locations

The District partnered with the California Product Stewardship Council and the City of Pittsburg to expand the number of pharmaceutical take-back locations in East Contra Costa County.  Three new collection locations have recently been established.

• Pittsburg Police Department - 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg
• Brighter Beginnings Family Health Clinic - 2213 Buchanan Road, #103, Antioch
• Office of Supervisor Diane Burgis - 3361 Walnut Boulevard, Suite 140, Brentwood

Sharps

Sharps include syringes, needles, and lancets used in the medical treatment of people and animals.  Sharps placed in the trash at home, school, or other public places may fall out of containers, stick out of trash bags, or fall to the ground, creating a safety hazard.

The Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility Sharps Program is only available to residents of East Contra Costa County.  We cannot accept sharps from medical personnel, medical practices, assisted living facilities, senior center or any other business.  This program is being provided as a community service and is not intended to fully support residents in their sharps disposal needs.  Due to high demand and limited budget, we are strictly limiting the number of replacement sharps containers given out to one container per visit per day.

How to Safely Dispose of Sharps
Take three simple and safe steps with used sharps:

1. Call Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (DHHWCF) at 925.756.1990 to request a 1.4 quart BD Home Sharps Container by mail.  The container holds 70-100 insulin syringes or 300 pen needles.  Syringe capacity depends on the size of the syringe.  The mailing of a sharps container is limited to one container upon initial enrollment in the program.  Additional containers can only be obtained by turning in a full container at the DHHWCF or other associated sharps disposal location.
2. When you receive the Sharps Container in the mail, fill it with syringes, needles, and/or lancets following container directions.
3. Deliver full Sharps Containers to Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, and pick up another free container.  Limit one replacement sharps container per visit, regardless of the number of full containers that are received.

Additional Drop-Off Locations

The DHHWCF has partnered with the City Center Pharmacies in Pittsburg and Brentwood to provide additional sharps drop-off locations.  As with the DHWWCF, one free 1.4 quart BD Sharps Container is provided per customer upon request.

City Center Pharmacy - Pittsburg
1270 East Leland Road, #102
Pittsburg, CA  94565
925.432.9770
M-F 9am - 7pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
http://www.citycenterrx.com

City Center Pharmacy - Brentwood
50 Eagle Rock Way, Suite C
Brentwood, CA  94513
925.240.9777
M-F 9am - 7pm
http://www.citycenterpharmacy.com

Sharps drop-off is only available during business hours.  Pharmacy hours are subject to change.  Please call or visit the website of the respective location for current hours.  By law, sharps can only be accepted in approved medical sharps containers - no exceptions!

Delta Diablo Sharps Brochure:

Disposing of Paint

California's Paint Product Stewardship law is now in effect!  You can now bring paint and other architectural coatings to certain retail locations.  For more information, please see the PaintCare Consumer Brochure or visit www.paintcare.org/california.