All batteries and cell phones are considered Universal Waste once discarded. They contain heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. This includes all sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all others, both rechargeable and single use. However, batteries and cell phones can be safely recycled.

Soak batteries in an open-topped container in a solution of three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of water for 24 hours to make them safe for recycling.

With button batteries taped to paper, place them all in a sealed plastic bag on top of your blue Recycle cart for collection. We will take them away for you and safely, properly recycle them.

You can also recycle your old cell phone. Just wrap it in paper and place in the sealed plastic bag along with your batteries.

You can also find more information on FlowsToBay.com.

Just one quart of motor oil that is disposed of improperly can contaminate up to 2,000,000 gallons of fresh water! We are pleased to provide a curbside collection of used oil and filters at no cost. We'll provide you with up to five one-gallon plastic jugs for your used motor oil and up to five zippered plastic bags for your used oil filters.

Simply leave the filled jugs and bags beside your blue recycling cart when you put it out for service and we'll pick it up for you.

Twice a year, Recology offers a scheduled pickup service for items you don't need anymore and that are too large for the carts. In addition to 2 cubic yards of bagged or boxed solid waste, items accepted are:

• One large appliance such as a washing machine, clothes dryer, refrigerator and freezer
• A bulky item such as mattresses, reusable furniture, tires
• E-Waste such as computers, computer monitor or television

Items NOT accepted are liquids, dirt, rock, concrete or asphalt, hazardous or infections waste, and materials that exceed 5 feet in length.

Once you've used up your 2 free annual collections, we will provide further services for an additional fee. Call us at (650) 595-3900 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment.

Before contacting us to schedule a pick-up, please consider donating to any number of local non-profits and community groups. This can reduce the waste stream and provide a second life for the items you are discarding. Please click here for a list of organizations.

Once you've removed all the tinsel, lights, decorations and stands from your holiday tree, you can leave the tree next to your green compost cart, and we will pick it up for you between December 26 and January 31.

Please make sure trees are 8 feet and under. If it's taller than 8 feet, cut the tree into lengths of 8 feet or less.

We host an annual "Bring Your Own Bucket", or "BYOB" days to giveaway nutrient rich compost. Residents are welcome to take home a free bucket of compost to help enrich their gardens while learning about the benefits of home composting. We will also host a confidential destruction event once a year to help you destroy sensitive documents thoroughly and discreetly. Look for information on our website for dates and locations coming soon.

Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic Waste and Medical Waste are rapidly growing problems that account for significant amounts of toxic waste in landfills. These are illegal to put into the trash or pour down a drain or gutter because they will contaminate the soil, drinking water and air. Items such as electronics, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, paints, pesticides, cleaning products and other chemicals are illegal to put in the trash.

To learn how to legally, safely and properly dispose of these and other items, visit our Household Hazardous Waste page.

Several communities within the SBWMA service area now have a Door to Door Hazardous Household Waste program with no extra fee. Visit RethinkWaste for more information.