A new season is upon us: June 21st marks the summer solstice. It’s the longest day of the year and the official first day of summer. Though there are plenty of ways to embrace all that daylight – an outdoor picnic that goes til 8pm! planting native flowers! – we’ve got an outta-the-box idea that’ll help you get old boxes outta-your-house. Celebrate the solstice by planning a visit to your local S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Center with any e-waste you’ve amassed over the seasons past. 

Summer E-waste

“E-waste” is any type of electronic waste. As DTSC notes, e-waste is considered hazardous because these types of items can contain toxic chemicals like lead and mercury. E-waste can range from the broken-down VCR lingering in your closet that’s been out of commission since 1999, to the smart phone you’re using today. 

Though it’s always best to see if a working electronic item can be fixed, donated, or gifted before delegating it to the great beyond, we know that sometimes those portable DVD players, radio alarm clocks, or LCD-screen TVs are too far-gone for a new lease at life. And it’s always better to dispose of e-waste the safe way, rather than tossing these items into the trash where their toxins can leach out of the landfill and into the surrounding environment.

So, do a couple sun salutations and then devote a few hours to packing up a box of e-waste and other forms of household hazardous waste (HHW) to bring to your nearest S.A.F.E. Center this summer. You have our permission to reward yourself with a staycation day at one of our city’s beautiful waterways – and you can pat yourself on the back for doing your part to preserve these ecosystems from excess household toxins!

S.A.F.E. Centers

All S.A.F.E. Centers are closed for Independence Day (July 4-5, 2026), Christmas (Dec 26-27, 2026), and New Year’s Day (Jan 2-3, 2027.) The S.A.F.E. Center at UCLA has a few extra closure dates to make way for busy Bruins. Happily, the solstice falls on a Sunday this year, so you’ll be able to start your new ‘summer cleaning’ tradition right on schedule.

Please note that the Los Angeles-Glendale S.A.F.E. Center (at 4600 Colorado) is temporarily closed until further notice. Fortunately, the open S.A.F.E. Centers are fairly well scattered throughout our city. You can find the location nearest you below:

S.A.F.E. Center Addresses and Hours of Operation:

Nicole Bernson (Balboa) S.A.F.E. Center
Service Area: North Valley
Address: 10241 N. Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91325
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat-Sun

Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center
Service Area: Harbor Area
Address: 1400 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat-Sun

Hyperion S.A.F.E. Center
Service Area: Playa Del Rey
Address: 7660 West Imperial Highway, Gate B, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat-Sun

Randall Street S.A.F.E. Center
Service Area: East Valley
Address: 11025 Randall Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat-Sun

Washington Boulevard S.A.F.E. Center
Service Area: East Los Angeles
Address: 2649 E. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat-Sun

S.A.F.E. Center at UCLA
Service Area: West Los Angeles
Address: 550 Charles E. Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Fridays, Saturdays & the first Sunday of each month
Next open the following Sundays in 2026 : Aug 2, Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6
Closed for the following additional holidays and UCLA events. All dates are for 2026: Commencement (June 12-13), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 3-5), Student Move-in (Sept 18-19), Thanksgiving (Nov 27) and a longer winter closure (Dec 25-Jan 3.)

How to Prepare for Your Visit:

The following information comes directly from the S.A.F.E. Centers webpage.

Pack your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)/E-Waste in a cardboard box or plastic bin sturdy enough to support the weight of the individual containers. If using a box, tape along the seams on the bottom for added support and to prevent any leaks onto your vehicle. The box/bin will be returned to you.

Keep items in their original containers, and remove all personal information from data containing devices and medication labels.(Original containers with labeling are recommended – label contents yourself if the label is unclear. This is helpful for staff to identify material in a container)

Place waste securely in the trunk and separated from personal belongings. Keep all items away from passengers.

When you arrive, you will be asked to complete an oral survey by LA Sanitation staff.

For your safety, you must remain in your vehicle at all times during the unloading process. Your vehicle must be put in park and turned off while technicians unload your waste. You cannot unload your own waste.

Items Accepted

The following information comes directly from the S.A.F.E. Centers webpage.

  • Aerosol Cans
  • Asbestos
    • Must be abated by professionals, wetted, and double bagged in clearly-labeled plastic bags; must be less than 3 ft. in length
  • Batteries
    • Accepted types: alkaline, lithium, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, car/RV batteries
    • Please tape both terminals of the batteries with clear packing tape, electrical tape, or duct tape.
    • Battery collection centers
  • Compressed Gas Cylinders
    • Includes: propane, butane, helium, MAPP gas, and fire extinguishers
    • No larger than 5-gallon sized tank will be accepted.
  • Electronic Waste
    • TVs, Computers, Monitors, Printers, Cell Phones, Cables/Wiring
  • Home-generated Sharps and Medications
    • Sharps must be brought in a State-approved container, or in a hard plastic, puncture-proof container. The container must have a lid. Loose sharps will not be accepted. This also applies to Epi-pens.
    • Learn more at our recent blog on sharps takeback programs
  • Household Cleaning Products
  • LED Light Bulbs, Fluorescent Tubes/Bulbs and Ballasts
    • No metal fixtures, please
  • Mercury-containing thermostats 
  • Paints and Solvents
  • Pool and Garden Chemicals
  • Treated/Contaminated Wood
    • This is wood that contains chemical preservatives
    • Must be less than 3 ft. in length.
  • Used Motor Oil, Oil Filters, Antifreeze and other Automotive Fluids

Items Not Accepted

The following information comes directly from the S.A.F.E. Centers webpage.

S.A.F.E. Centers note that some of these items are accepted by LA County Facilities and Events, and suggest that you can contact the manufacturers of these items for further assistance:

  • Acetylene tanks
  • Ammunition, firecrackers and explosives (call 1-877-ASK-LAPD [1-877-275-5273])
  • Business/commercial wastes (Very Small Quantity Generators, or VSQGs, can call 310-387-1071, or email 4HCESQG@cleanharbors.com to book an appointment.)
  • CO2 and oxygen tanks/cylinders
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries
  • Exercise equipment, such as treadmills (arrange a Bulky Items pickup)
  • Fans, heaters, air conditioners, and vacuums
  • Laboratory waste
  • Marine flares
  • Metal light fixtures
  • Radioactive materials
  • Medical/biological wastes
  • Recyclables such as glass and plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, paper, aluminum cans/metal scraps (these can be placed in your Blue Bin)
  • Smoke detectors (radioactive)
  • Yard waste (these can be placed in your Green Bin)

Questions?

If you have any questions, the LA Stormwater team can give you a hand. Email us at LAStormwater@LACity.org