Maybe you have old paint cans in the garage, a box of dead batteries in a drawer, leftover motor oil from last summer, or half-used cleaning products under the sink. Most homes in Big Bear Lake have some hazardous materials, and it’s more important than many people think to know how to get rid of them safely.

Throwing hazardous waste in the trash or pouring it down the drain can pollute our soil, water, and air. This puts our mountain environment, wildlife, and neighbors in danger. The good news is that Big Bear Lake offers easy and convenient ways to safely get these materials out of your home.

You might have more hazardous materials at home than you realize. Some common examples are:

• Batteries (household and automotive)
• Paint, varnish, and stains
• Motor oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid
• Household cleaners like bleach and ammonia
• Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides
• Pool and spa chemicals
• Cooking oil
• Cosmetics and polishes
• Propane barbecue tanks
• Medical sharps (needles, syringes, lancets)

None of these items should go in your gray trash cart or blue recycling cart. They need special handling to keep people and the environment safe.

Big Bear Disposal, Inc. works with the City of Big Bear Lake and the San Bernardino County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program to offer residents a local and convenient place to drop off hazardous materials.

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is located at:

42040 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Saturdays, 9 am to 2 pm (weather permitting)

This facility takes paint products, automotive fluids, batteries, household cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane tanks, medicines, and more. There’s no charge for residents to drop off these items.

For a complete list of accepted and unaccepted materials, visit the City of Big Bear Lake Hazardous Materials Management page.

If you’re planning a spring or summer event in Big Bear Lake, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your waste and sanitation setup now. Handling the details early means you’ll have less to worry about on event day.

Electronics such as computers, printers, monitors, TVs, VCRs, cell phones, and microwaves should never go in the trash. You can drop off e-waste at Big Bear Disposal, Inc. at 41970 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.

Clean Bear Site #1 also accept e-waste, universal waste (fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, thermometers), and scrap metal from residents.

California state law makes it illegal to throw home-generated sharps, including needles, syringes, and lancets, in the trash or recycling. Sharps must be placed in an approved container and brought to a designated drop-off location.

There’s a good reason for this law. Needles that are thrown away the wrong way can hurt waste workers, housekeepers, pest control workers, and even children or pets. Just one needlestick can mean weeks of medication and months of follow-up tests.

Approved sharps containers and drop-off information are available at Bear Valley Community Healthcare District,

A few materials cannot be accepted at local facilities, including ammunition, explosives, asbestos, biological materials, compressed gas cylinders, and radioactive materials. For guidance on those items, contact the San Bernardino County Fire Department Household Hazardous Waste Division at (909) 382-5401 or visit sbcfire.org/collectionfacilities.

If your business generates hazardous waste on a regular basis, you are required to register with the San Bernardino County Fire Department at (909) 387-3080 and obtain an EPA ID number from the state. For more information on small business hazardous waste services, contact the County of San Bernardino directly.

It takes everyone to keep hazardous waste out of our landfill, lake, and forests. Big Bear Disposal, Inc. is proud to work with the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County to give residents the tools and resources they need to get rid of these materials safely.

If you’re not sure what to do with something, we’re here to help. Call us at (909) 866-3942, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.

Learn more at bigbeardisposal.com/sustainability/hazardous-materials-management.