September 7, 2006

Agoura Hills Acorn


Local recycling numbers come in high
By Michael Picarella


The cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village have succeeded over the past year in collecting and recycling thousands of pounds of hazardous household materials.

According to Calabasas officials, used oil and discarded water-based paint, car batteries, antifreeze and oil filters have been rooted out of homes and garages and sent off to be recycled.

Weekly roundups of hazardous household materials took place every Saturday in one of the five cities participating. More than 1,200 people brought in 6,100plus gallons of water-based paint, over 1,200 gallons of used oil, over 300 used oil filters, over 200 used car batteries and more than 100 gallons of used antifreeze.

"Since several years ago, the five neighboring cities joined efforts to coordinate the collection of household hazardous waste," said Alex Farassati, Calabasas environmental services manager.

"All roundups are open not only to residents and small businesses of these five cities, but to all residents from other neighboring jurisdictions and unincorporated areas," Farassati said.

Participation during the last fiscal year, which just ended, included Calabasas, 401 residents; Agoura Hills, 388; Westlake Village, 196; Malibu, 141, and Hidden Hills, eight. Sixty-seven people from outside the area also took advantage of the roundups. Hidden Hills residents drop off their chemicals at the Calabasas roundup.

While Farassati said he is happy with the recycling numbers, he's also concerned about illegal dumping that's been taking place.

"There have been instances when people come after the roundup operation hours or go to a wrong location and leave their hazardous waste in the parking lot or near the trash enclosure," Farassati said. "This is considered illegal dumping. The cost of collecting and cleaning up illegal dumping to taxpayers is greater than (that of) scheduled collections. If caught, violators will be prosecuted based on state laws."

According to Farassati, the state helps fund the roundups through an Oil Block Grant provided to participating cities based on their populations. Monthly roundups are held on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Roundups are held at:
  • Agoura Hills City Hall

    • 30001 Ladyface Court
    the first Saturday of the month.
  • Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center
    23400 Park Sorrento
    the second Saturday of the month.
  • Westlake Village
    Bernice Bennett Park
    1800 Village Center Road
    the fourth Saturday of the month.
  • Malibu
    A government building at 23555 Civic Center Way
    the third Saturday of the month.
Studies say the average household stockpiles one to three gallons of waste paint every year. Farassati said latex paint can be reused or reprocessed to make high-quality, economical, recycled paint that can be used in place of standard latex paint.

In California, latex paint that is not reused or recycled is considered hazardous waste, according to Farassati. Waste Management, Inc., Farassati said, offers free recycled paint in 55-gallon containers at the company's Simi Valley Landfill. Call (805) 955-4342 to schedule pick-up.

Used motor oil never wears out, according to Farassati. He said it gets dirty but can be recycled, cleaned and used again. Motor oil that is poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans (even in a sealed container) can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams and rivers. And it's illegal to dispose of it in any of these ways, Farassati said.

"By reducing, reusing, recycling and buying recycled-content products," Farassati said, "every Californian can make a vital contribution to the fragile environment and help protect public health and safety at the same time."

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