HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING CENTER SET.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Looking to make it easier for Antelope Valley residents to dispose of motor oil and other wastes, the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster, Los Angeles County, and Waste Management are joining together to create a household hazardous waste collection center.

Using a state grant of nearly $700,000 awarded to the two cities, a household hazardous waste collection center will be built at the Antelope Valley Landfill in Palmdale. The county and Waste Management will each contribute $180,000 to $210,000 a year, for a minimum of three years, for the center's operation.

Waste Management will make 38,000 square feet at the landfill available for the center.

The center, expected to take about a year to design and build, is required to be open at least two days a month under the terms of the state grant.

At present, Antelope Valley residents have to wait for one of the semiannual waste roundups to dispose of their household wastes.

``We want to make it more convenient for them to bring in their waste rather than waiting for one of the roundups,'' said Leon Swain, Palmdale's director of public works.

The grant is from the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Used Oil Recycling Fund, which is paid out of the 4-cent fee the state receives on each quart of new motor oil sold in California.

A portion of the fund is set aside to help local governments start up used-oil collection centers and cut the amount of improperly disposed of used motor oil.

In addition to the household hazardous waste, the center's partners are planning to collect tires on a periodic basis and e-waste, a term referring to consumer electronics waste, on a quarterly basis.

``This is a great cooperative effort,'' Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com