Household hazardous waste disposal is available for Santa Clara residents through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program. Hazardous waste such as prescription medications, fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, paint, automotive fluids, cleaners, solvents, batteries, propane, fertilizers, pesticides, wood preservatives, and other types of household hazardous wastes can be safely and easily disposed of at any of the many drop-off events held throughout the year.

Residents must register to attend any drop-off events by calling the County Household Hazardous Waste Program at 408-299-7300.

For information about Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, go to Garbage and Clean Green.

For more information about batteries, see the Household Battery Recycling.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has banned televisions, computer monitors, CPU's, cell phones, telephones, VCR's, DVD players, and several other items from going into the landfill. This classification of materials is referred to as e-waste and is now required to be recycled.

San Jose State University's Center for the Development of Recycling (CDR) maintains a database of businesses that recycle specific items. To find out how to recycle e-waste go to www.recyclestuff.org and select the specific electronic device that you are attempting to recycle. The search will produce a list of businesses and their contact information that accept the item that you are trying to recycle.

If you have any other questions, call the Street Department at 408-615-3080.

Fluorescent bulbs can't be placed in your garbage for disposal anymore. Fluorescent bulbs are banned from going into landfills because they contain a significant amount of mercury. Here are two ways that you can properly recycle your fluorescent bulbs:

• Go to www.hhw.org and click on the "Fluorescent Bulb Drop-Off
  Locations" site for a list of local retailers that will accept your
  fluorescent bulbs for free during open business hours.
  
  
• Call (408) 299-7300 to make an appointment to attend a Santa Clara
  County Household Drop-Off event to recycle your fluorescent bulbs and
  drop-off other household hazardous waste items.