Pollution Prevention Tips

Electronic Waste

Electronic waste includes the following items:

  • Air Purifiers 
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Blood Glucose Monitors
  • Camcorders
  • CD players
  • Cell Phones*
  • Computers / CPUs / Laptops
  • Computer Monitors (CRTs & flatscreens)
  • Copiers (home use, desktop)
  • Digital Camera
  • Digital Thermometer
  • DVD Players
  • I-Pods & MP3 Players
  • Microwave Ovens (home use)
  • Home Use Medical (sterilized) Monitors
  • Pagers
  • PDAs
  • Printer/Scanner/Fax (home use)
  • Radios – all types (car & home)
  • Telephones & Answering Machines
  • Copiers (home use, desktop)
  • Televisions (CRTs & flatscreens) & VCRs
  • Video Game Consoles & Accessories
  • Walkie Talkies

* As of July 1, 2006, according to CA Assembly Bill 2901, any store that sells cellular phones must in turn accept and collect used cell phones for recycling and proper disposal.

The aforementioned items may contain toxic chemicals, such as lead and mercury, and may NOT be disposed of in the trash can.

You may take them, free of charge, to any of the four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers located in Orange County including the center in located Irvine at 6411 Oak Canyon. Proof of residency is required.

E-Waste Pick-up - Irvine residents with curbside service may request free pick up of electronic waste (i.e. batteries, computers, cell phones, TVs, etc.) as part of Waste Management of Orange County’s bulky item pick up service two times per year. To schedule a free pick up, please contact Waste Management at: 949-642-1191. Additional pick ups are available for a nominal fee.

Sharps / Syringes

To properly dispose of sharps, residents of Irvine have a number of options.

 Orange County HHW Collection Centers accept sharps, which includes the following:

  • hypodermic needles
  • lancets
  • test strips
  • other small quantity medical waste

All sharps must be placed in a puncture-proof container such as a bleach bottle and sealed. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will not return the container to the resident.

A new direct-delivery program provided by Waste Management delivers one Sharps container per year at no charge to residents who need and request them (limit one per household while supplies last). Residents can request a container for sharps by calling Waste Management directly at its local customer service number 949-642-1191. Purchase of additional containers can also be arranged by calling Waste Management directly or visiting wm.com.