LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County residents who subscribe to curbside garbage, recycling, and greenwaste collection service that need to dispose of larger items – appliances, furniture, lawn mowers, tires, etc. – have an easy method to do so by calling their hauler and to schedule a “bulky item pickup.”

“Bulky items” are defined as items that do not fit – or are not allowed – in curbside bins.

While the program does not allow pickup of concrete, dirt, hazardous materials, paint, pianos, tree stumps, yard debris or trash, items in the Bulky Item Collection Program that can be collected curbside include barbecue grills, furniture, household electronics, sports equipment, windows, mattresses, computers, carpet and padding, refrigerator, stoves and more.

For South Lake Refuse & Recycling and Lake County Waste Solutions customers, a bulky item pickup can be scheduled for one item twice per year or two items one time per year.

Most items are free (mattresses, vacuum cleaners, couch, etc), but large appliances (dishwasher, dryers, water heaters, etc.) are charged a $10 fee, which will be added to your next bill.

Additional pickups or items can be scheduled and a fee will be charged.

Customers of Lakeport Disposal can schedule a free pickup for one item; additional pickups or items can be scheduled at $25.

Although the free program is not yet available in the city of Clearlake, Clearlake Waste Solutions will pick up bulky items for a fee; call for scheduling and costs.

In all areas you must schedule a bulky item pick-up before leaving it at the curb. Dumping appliances, furniture, and garbage is hazardous to the environment, unsightly, encourages more dumping. Additionally it is illegal and significant fines can be levied.

Residents with two or more items also can have their hauler drop-off a small debris or recycling bin for a fee. Haulers are under contract, so only bins from the hauler servicing your area can be dropped off.

If a contractor has been hired to perform work on your property, the contractor can use a bin from your hauler. If you hire someone to haul your debris, make sure you receive a receipt to ensure that the item(s) were disposed of properly.

Small appliances, microwave ovens, computers – items considered “E-Waste” – can never be placed in curbside carts as many contain hazardous and toxic materials including lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury and brominated flame retardants – all of which cannot be put in the landfill and must be disposed of as hazardous materials.

These items can be dropped off free of charge at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse and Recycling, or the monthly e-waste event sponsored by Goodwill, or can be picked-up as a bulky item.

For more information on the Bulky Item Collection Program, E-Waste or any other question related to recycling, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

No charge e-waste drop-off locations:

Lake County Waste Solutions

230 Soda Bay Rd., Lakeport

707-234-6400 or 1-888-718-4888

Monday - Saturday

7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

South Lake Refuse & Recycling

16015 Davis St., Clearlake

707-994-8614

Daily

7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Goodwill Industries

Bruno's Shop Smart

355 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport

First Saturday of each month

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.