September 23, 2022
For Immediate Release Contact: Celina Stotler
(831) 636-4110
San Benito County Hosts
FREE October “Recycle Day” Event
Recycle Batteries, Paint, and Mattresses
Recycle your batteries, paint, and mattresses for free at Recycle Day on October 1, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hollister:
San Benito Recycle Day
Saturday, 10/01/22 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Veteran’s Memorial Park: 1023 Memorial Drive, Hollister, CA
Did you know that putting batteries in your trash and recycling containers can, and
does, cause fires in trucks and facilities that endanger workers and damage expensive
equipment? In California, it is illegal to put batteries in the trash or recycling. Instead, they must be taken to a designated location for proper recycling.
Battery recycling is so important, not only because improper management can lead to injuries and property and environmental damage, but because these precious materials are finite, expensive to source, and their extraction can cause environmental damage.
Each year about 800 million gallons of architectural paint are sold in the U.S. Households and businesses generate millions of gallons of leftover paint each year. In California, paint is prohibited from disposal in landfills and must be recycled or otherwise safely disposed of. Did you know that about 10 percent goes unused and is
available for recycling?
Recycling paint guarantees that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other flammable substances in paint are disposed of safely and don’t enter local ecosystems. This keeps soil, water, and air free of toxins!
California has a statewide paint recycling program designed and implemented by paint manufacturers with CalRecycle oversight. PaintCare is the manufacturers’ stewardship organization that implements this program and will be at our Recycle Day event!
PaintCare makes sure that your leftover paint is remixed into recycled paint, used as a fuel, made into other products, or is properly disposed of if no other beneficial use for it can be found.
In early 2022, County of San Benito Integrated Waste Management (IWM) began working on a grant project funded by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to expand access to convenient recycling opportunities for
household hazardous waste, including batteries and paint. IWM was successful in securing this $200,000 grant.
On Saturday, October 1, 2022, IWM will host a “Recycle Day” at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hollister between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to bring their batteries, paint, and mattresses for safe recycling. And the best part? It’s completely free for residents! More information about the event can be found at www.cosb.us/hhw.
San Benito County residents can also bring household hazardous waste, including their batteries and paint, to the monthly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event at John Smith Road Landfill every third Saturday of the month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Monthly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Every Third Saturday of the Month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
John Smith Road Landfill
2650 John Smith Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
San Benito County residents can bring up to 5 mattresses and/or box springs per household per day to John Smith Road Landfill during the landfill’s normal operating hours. Proof of address is required (driver’s license or utility invoice and ID). Businesses will be turned away.
FREE Mattress & Box Springs Recycling Program
Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
John Smith Road Landfill
2650 John Smith Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Additional Grant Information
The household hazardous waste grant-funded project also seeks to expand access to lawn care equipment and electric bicycle/scooter battery, and fluorescent lamp recycling. This project features eco-friendly product alternatives including reusable 1 lb. propane
cylinders and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and includes the distribution of coupons to be used toward the purchase of reusable propane cylinders and LEDs. You can now conveniently recycle any unwanted fluorescent lamps at True Value Hardware (during
regular business hours) located at 1260 Fourth Street in Hollister, where you can also purchase your new LEDs!
IWM is currently working to recruit additional retailers to offer reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders and lawncare equipment battery collection. To be added to a distribution list to receive more information or become a participating retailer, please email
[email protected]
About San Benito County Integrated Waste Management
San Benito Integrated Waste Management (SBCIWM) Regional Agency administers recycling and waste reduction programs to meet CalRecycle waste mandates, protect public health, and increase sustainability for its Regional Agency Members that include
the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista and unincorporated San Benito County. SBCIWM proudly coordinates comprehensive and cost-effective programs for green businesses, household hazardous waste, small quantity generators of hazardous waste, safe disposal for medication and sharps, motor oil recycling, and more.
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