Late last month, LA Sanitation cut the ribbon on the new Nicole Bernson SAFE Center located at 10241 North Balboa Blvd. in Granada Hills. Standing for Solvents, Automotive, Flammables and Electronics, the new SAFE Center will provide residents of the Northwest San Fernando Valley a convenient way to dispose of their unwanted household hazardous waste (or HHW) in their own community. Previously, residents had to drive to the SAFE Center located in Sun Valley to dispose of their HHW properly.
SAFE Centers, located throughout the City of Los Angeles, enable residents to safely and properly dispose of electronic, automotive and household hazardous waste. That includes TVs, electronic toys, motor oil, paint, pool chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries. It is illegal to throw away household hazardous waste into the regular trash, because, once in landfills, these toxins can leach into the air, soil and groundwater. SAFE Centers are open every weekend and provide a convenient way for LA residents to dispose of unwanted waste. This service is provided free-of-charge to all LA residents.
The Nicole Bernson SAFE Center joins six other SAFE Centers throughout the City of Los Angeles. Last year alone, LA SAFE Centers collected and recycled or safely disposed of 7.8 million pounds of Household Hazardous Waste and are an integral part of the city reaching its Zero Waste Goal.
Photos courtesy of Chris Campbell and gwen.
November 21st, 2013 at 10:59 am
Please let me know if the Granada Hills SAFE center will accept the following items:
used automotive anti-freeze/coolant
used automotive brake fluid
used automotive transmission fluid
Thank you.
November 21st, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Yes, SAFE Centers will accept all of the automotive items you listed. Thank you!
February 28th, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Will the center take a small refrigerator? Thank you.
March 5th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Hi Jane,
Thanks so much for your question! While SAFE Centers will not take refrigerators, the City will pick up refrigerators free through its household appliance pick up program. Here’s where you can learn more.
http://lacity.org/CitywideServices/ServiceDetail/index.htm?laServiceId=3461&laCategory=188
October 16th, 2017 at 6:39 pm
I am able to bring spoiled gasoline to the center ?
October 19th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Yes, Michael, you’re able to bring spoiled gasoline to the new SAFE Center. Thanks!
October 30th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Will the center accept old road flares?
November 6th, 2017 at 10:01 am
Hi Tom,
Below is the link where you can see what SAFE Centers will accept. It looks like they will not accept marine flares nor fireworks. I’m not sure if old road flares are accepted. I would recommend calling (800) 773-2489 and talking to someone regarding your specific request. My best, Joyce Amaro
https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-s/s-lsh-wwd-s-c/s-lsh-wwd-s-c-hw/s-lsh-wwd-s-c-hw-safemc
February 17th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Will SAFE Center in Northridge take old medications and how should
I package them?
February 20th, 2018 at 11:07 am
Hi MaryAnn – Thank you so much for taking the time to inquire about the responsible way to dispose of unused medications. SAFE Centers will accept unused medications but not controlled substances. We recommend taking it to a SAFE Center in its original bottle/packaging. Another resource for the disposal of unused medication is this listing from CalRecycle.com.
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/homehazwaste/medications/household.htm
Thank you again!
My best,
Joyce Amaro
LA Stormwater