HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS CAN BE DROPPED OFF.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - With spring just around the corner, it's almost time to clean the house and get rid of the old paint cans, motor oil buckets, out-of-date cleansers and cosmetic products.

Sounds simple, but disposing of these household hazardous wastes can be problematic because they can't be safely thrown in the trash or down the storm drain.

Residents can get rid of these items at the Household Hazardous Waste collection event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in parking lot 7 at College of

the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia.

The free, countywide event allows residents to safely dispose of hazardous materials such as motor oil, paint, turpentine, cleaners with acid or lye, aerosol products, car batteries, pesticides, fertilizers, and nail polish and remover.

Many household products used to clean the oven, maintain the garden, paint finger nails or remodel homes are considered toxic. Disposing of these products in the garbage or down the storm drain is illegal and can threaten the health and safety of families in the community.

Illegal dumping of hazardous materials carries a minimum fine of $5,000 per day per violation to $100,000 per day, and imprisonment.

When thrown in with the regular trash, toxins go into landfills and can seep into groundwater. If dumped into storm drains, those nearby water supplies - lakes, streams and ocean - could be contaminated.

Residents are asked to keep the waste in its original container and ensure it's not leaking. Items should be brought in a sturdy box that can be left behind. There is a limit of 15 gallons a household or 125 pounds.

Explosives, ammunition, tires, biomedical waste and radioactive material are not permitted.

For a complete listing of what can and cannot be brought to the hazardous material roundup, or for more information about the event, call [phone] or visit www.lacsd.org.