Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are widely produced by households and many different types of businesses and can be hard to recycle depending upon where you reside. Universal wastes include televisions, computers and other electronic devices as well as batteries, fluorescent lamps, mercury thermostats, and other mercury containing equipment, among others.
Oxnard residents can take advantage of several FREE programs to properly recycle these hard to manage items. To participate, simply bring your items to the Del Norte Buy Back Center located just off 111 S. Del Norte Blvd (see map below) Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (unless otherwise specified*). Some items can be brought directly to our Self-Haul area of the Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Facility during business hours, Monday – Saturday 6 am to 5 pm. Call ahead to verify – 805-385-8060.
Use the Recycle Oxnard Tool to learn how to recycle or properly dispose of any items not listed below.
Antifreeze
Acceptable Items: Antifreeze, which is toxic to humans and animals and pollutes the environment, can be brought to Del Norte. It is illegal to improperly dispose of antifreeze, so please do not place this item in the trash, down the drain or on the ground.
Place your used antifreeze in a container with a tight sealing lid. Do not mix other automotive fluids with antifreeze.
Batteries
Acceptable Items: Single-use batteries (AA/AAA/C/D/9V/watch/etc.), Rechargeable batteries (lithium/ni-cad/etc.), Lead acid batteries (car/truck/etc.)
Batteries are hazardous waste when they require disposal. Placing batteries in the trash can lead to heavy metals/acid to be discharged to the environment; and batteries can cause fires in collection vehicles or processing facilities.
Tape the battery terminals of all rechargeable batteries. Place cell phone batteries in individual plastic bags.
Carpet Recycling
Acceptable Items: Carpet rolls, carpet squares, etc (must be dry).
This program is offered through a partnership with the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). In California, AB 2839, established the Carpet Stewardship law which requires a fee of $0.35/square yard of carpet sold/shipped in California to be assessed (as of January 1, 2019). These funds are currently used to:
- Support and incentivize the development and markets for products made from recycled carpet.
- Underwrite the collection and transport of carpet to/from drop-off sites.
- Inform and educate stakeholders about the importance, opportunities and challenges of keeping carpet out of landfill.
Computers/Electronic Waste
Acceptable Items: Computers, monitors, keyboards, televisions, printers, copiers, fax machines, cell Phones, radios, alarm clocks, microwave ovens, hair dryers and other like items.
In addition to dropping these items at the Del Norte facility, some manufacturers have take back programs for electronic waste.
In addition, Best Buy accepts many different electronic items for recycling.
Lamps and Bulbs
Acceptable Items: Fluorescent light tubes, Compact fluorescent bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury containing lamps are hazardous waste when they require disposal. Fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, which is extremely toxic to humans and the environment.
Mattress Recycling
Acceptable Items: Mattresses and Box Springs** (both must be dry).
No Cost Mattress Disposal!
This program is offered through a partnership with the Mattress Recycling Council. When you purchase a new mattress/box spring, a small fee is collected that funds recycling options. See what happens to your mattress here: https://byebyemattress.com/why-recycle/.
**Only dry mattresses/box springs can be recycled for free. If the mattress/box spring is wet, it will have to be disposed as trash for a fee at the transfer station.
View and download the flyers for more details: ENGLISH | SPANISH
Motor Oil
Acceptable Items: Motor-oil, used oil filters
Motor oil and used oil filters are hazardous waste when they require disposal. Placing oil in the trash or pouring down the drain or on the ground is illegal and harmful to the environment. Motor oil doesn’t wear out, it just gets dirty. Recycling oil saves a limited resource and preserves the environment at the same time.
The Del Norte Recycling Center is a CalRecycle Certified Collection Center and as such, will pay up to $0.40 per gallon for your used oil upon your request. In addition to the Del Norte facility, there are more than 80 Certified Collection Centers in Ventura County. Visit the CalRecycle site to find a location near you.
Please do not mix motor oil with other automotive fluids like antifreeze, gas, etc. Free oil collection containers are available to residents when they recycle their oil at the Del Norte facility.
FREE Used Motor Oil Recycling Kits are available upon request by calling 805-200-2206 or emailing recycle@oxnard.org.
Medications
Acceptable Items: Unwanted or expired medications (no sharps/needles or other medical waste)
IMPORTANT! Medications are not accepted at the Del Norte Regional Recycling Center and Transfer Station. Please visit one of the following locations to drop off unwanted/expired medications.
- Walgreens Medication Disposal Kiosk
1801 N Rose Ave - Oxnard Police Department
251 South C Street
Sharps/Needles
Acceptable Items: hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin of humans or pets. Please do not place these in the trash, recycling or organics to ensure the health and safety of our workers.
The California Medical Waste Management Act prohibits the disposal of home-generated sharps into any container used for the collection of regular trash, recycling or green waste. Please visit the Ventura County Resource Management Agency site to find a disposal location near you.
*IMPORTANT! Sharps/needles are not accepted at the Del Norte Regional Recycling Center and Transfer Station.
Paint
Acceptable Items: House paint and primers (latex or oil-based), stains, deck and concrete sealers, clear finishes (e.g., varnishes, shellac)
IMPORTANT! Only latex paint is accepted at the Del Norte Regional Recycling Center and Transfer Station. PaintCare partners accept latex paint and the other items listed above. You can also dry out latex paint by either allow it to air dry or adding some kitty litter to it. Once fully dry, it can be placed in your trash bin.
Liquid paint and related products must be delivered to an appropriate facility for recycling. Dried paint can be placed in the trash.