Beginning on Feb. 9, it will be illegal to send household electronic and mercury-containing waste to California landfills according to the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD).

Batteries and consumer electronics, along with fluorescent bulbs and thermostats, contain low levels of hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium, which can contaminate soil and water. Those products and others have been classified by the state Department of Toxic Substance Control as "universal waste". They will have to go to
a recycler or household hazardous waste collection center.

Similar regulations have banned TV sets and computer monitors, referred to as "e-waste," from the state's landfills since 2001. The term universal waste is used because these items are found in many common locations, essentially every home and business. State officials say that instead of enforcement, they are counting on voluntary compliance to keep toxic metals out of landfills. It's important that everyone understands the potential of universal waste and its associated
toxic metals to contaminate the environment.

Electronics are filled with potentially toxic metals and may include video game systems, boom boxes, portable CD players and remote controls for nearly everything. Broken fluorescent lamps can release mercury into the air and water. This includes fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, metal halide lamps, and sodium vapor lamps.

The following products have been deemed universal waste and must be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste collection center beginning on Feb. 9.

> Common batteries such as button batteries, AA, AAA, C and D cells, but not car batteries, which are already regulated.
> Electronics such as TVs, computer monitors, computers, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios and microwave ovens.
> Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs, and several other types of bulbs such as high-intensity discharge, metal halide, sodium and neon.
> Thermostats, electrical switches and relays found in appliances.
> Mercury thermometers.
> Mercury gauges, which are often found in barometers, manometers and blood-pressure monitors.
> Novelties such as greeting cards that play music when opened and most sneakers with flashing lights in their soles.
> Aerosol cans that are not empty.

The MRWMD accepts e-waste and appliances at its Materials Recovery Facility (via the scales) or at the Last Chance Mercantile.

There is a charge of $10 or $20 for computer and TV monitors. The appliance fees are $15 for refrigerators and $5 for other appliances.

Batteries, fluorescent tubes, aerosol cans and any items containing mercury are considered household hazardous waste. Monterey Peninsula residents can bring up to 125 lbs. of household hazardous waste free of charge to the MRWMD's Household Hazardous Waste Program.

All MRWMD facilities are located at the Environmental Park, 14201 Del Monte Blvd., 2 miles north of Marina. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at 384.5313 or visit www.mrwmd.org .

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