Hazardous Waste

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COVID-19 UPDATE

In Sarasota County’s continued effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and to help better protect the community and our employees, the following changes are in effect for Solid Waste facilities:

YARD WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES TO RESUME ON MONDAY, AUG. 3

Curbside collection of residential yard waste will resume regularly scheduled service beginning on Monday, August 3.

Residents in unincorporated Sarasota County may continue to self-haul their yard waste to the Central County Solid Waste Complex and will not be charged a fee* through Aug. 15, 2020. Residents wishing to dispose of residential yard waste must call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 in advance to confirm residency, register for disposal and receive instructions about the disposal process.

*Does not apply to residents in the cities of Sarasota, Venice or North Port or the Town of Longboat Key.

Sarasota County Solid Waste will continue to monitor the situation, make adjustments as needed, and reserves the right to modify the program as state and local guidelines dictate.

Properly prepared Yard Waste instructions

Rethinking Yard Waste Disposal - blog post from Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability

CHEMICAL COLLECTION CENTERS (hazardous waste drop-off sites) - What is open?

The three Chemical Collection Centers are accepting hazardous waste from all residential and commercial customers. Appointments are not required.
Disposal for Sarasota County residents is free, however limits may apply.
Applicable disposal rates will apply for businesses. Payment must be made by credit/debit card (cash and/or checks will not be accepted).

CHEMICAL COLLECTION CENTERS (hazardous waste drop-off sites) - What is closed?

Admin office at the Bee Ridge Chemical Collection Center
The Re-Uz-It Shop at the Bee Ridge Chemical Collection Center

CENTRAL COUNTY LANDFILL - What is open?

Disposal for customers and contractors. Payment must be made by credit/debit card (cash and/or checks will not be accepted).
RC Fliers Club (members only).
Mulch/fines (limited quantities available).

CENTRAL COUNTY LANDFILL - What is closed?

Admin office
Birding/nature observation

Hazardous Waste at Your Home

Due to safety and cost, most household hazardous wastes are not collected curbside. Residents of Sarasota County may take accepted items generated from non-business related activities to one of the County's Chemical Collection Centers for safe disposal free of charge. Proof of county residency (driver’s license, tax bill, utility bill, etc.) may be required.

Items Accepted

Automotive batteries	Hazardous waste
Automotive products	Lawn and garden chemicals
Batteries (button, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, rechargeable)	Paints
Cell phones	Paint thinner
Chemicals	Pesticides
Cleaners	Pool chemicals
Electronics (computer systems, printers, etc.)	Rechargeable batteries
Fertilizers	Sharps (needles, lancets) in proper container ONLY
Fire extinguishers	Solvents
Fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps	Toxic waste
Gasoline	Used motor oil

For items not listed above, contact the Sarasota County Hazardous Waste office to confirm disposal options and requirements.

How Do I Dispose Of...

Alkaline batteries may be placed in the garbage.

Electronics such as monitors, stereos, speakers, telephones (remove batteries and dispose of properly), TVs and vacuum cleaners may be placed in the garbage.

Flares, fireworks, guns and ammunition should be taken to your local law enforcement agency for disposal.

Needle Disposal Program and Free Sharps Containers are available through the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County .

Pharmaceuticals are no longer accepted at the Sarasota County Chemical Collection Centers. Multiple drop-off locations for prescription drugs are available throughout Sarasota County. Video: Dispose of Unwanted Prescriptions at SCSO.

Hazardous Waste at Your Business

“Hazardous waste” is a legal term that describes certain toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive wastes generated in manufacturing, industrial or other processes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers simple guides to explain hazardous wastes and help you determine whether you generate hazardous wastes and are subject to regulation. Your company is responsible for making hazardous waste determinations correctly.

The Sarasota County Hazardous Waste Management Office works in tandem with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Hazardous Waste Regulation Section to provide compliance assistance to commercial enterprises within the county.

Sarasota County's Project Green Sweep Program

Project Green Sweep offers a responsible, cost effective method to properly dispose of small quantities of hazardous and regulated wastes that are banned from landfill disposal to qualified businesses in Sarasota County.

Businesses interested in participating should complete the on-line application or print and return a completed paper copy of the application (below).

Businesses in Sarasota County may also seek alternative disposal and recycling options. A list of vendors can be found in the Hazardous Waste Disposal Business Directory (below).

Project Green Sweep Pricing (updated Feb. 3, 2020).

FDEP Operation Cleansweep

Operation Cleansweep provides farmers, nursery operators, golf course operators, and pest control services a one-time safe and economical way to dispose of their cancelled, suspended, and unusable pesticides. Some of these materials are very old and in containers that are deteriorating.

Some, such as chlordane and DDT, are so toxic to humans and hazardous to the environment that they are no longer allowed to be used.

Proper disposal can be costly and a regulatory burden for small farmers and other pesticide users.

Operation Cleansweep offers an opportunity to avoid these formidable barriers and to promote safe and environmentally sound pesticide use, handling and disposal. NOTE: this opportunity is available on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is limited.

For additional information please visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Operation Cleansweep website.

Contact

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.