Toxic waste dumping rules changed

Thinking about throwing that old cell phone in the trash? Think again.

A new California regulation outlaws throwing phones, batteries and other materials containing lead or other heavy metals in the trash, changing the way local families and small businesses manage their waste.

Known as “Universal Waste Rule,” the new law governs dozens of items found around the house: lithium batteries, mercury thermostats, fluorescent lights, old computer monitors, televisions, computer hard drives and personal electronics. As of Feb. 9, all these materials must now be taken to a specialized disposal center, or picked up by certified waste handlers.

The law could have broad implications for any local business that uses simple items like light bulbs or battery-operated devices. Any business caught illegally dumping electronics could be fined up to $25,000 per item.

Many businesses remain unaware of the legislation, said civil engineer Devon Diaz of Ease E-Waste, a waste disposal service for Orange County.

“We’ve been hearing from about one out of 10 people that know about the new rules,” he said.

The new regulations were created to address concerns about toxic metals making their way to landfills and corroding soils and underground water basins, said Ron Baker, of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.

“What we’re finding about cell phones and other electronic devices is that they have circuit boards that contain heavy leads,” he said.

The new law requires cell-phone retailers to accept and dispose of old phones when customers are shopping for new devices. Several nonprofit groups are also collecting old phones and selling them to recycling centers. Verizon Wireless recently announced plans to donate sales from used phones to local charities and law-enforcement agencies, while Kentucky-based Eco-Cell has partnered with the Santa Ana Zoo and other California animal parks to collect phones and use a portion of the money to fund operations.

Orange County also maintains four disposal sites for hazardous materials in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano, but private businesses aren’t allowed to use the service, said Susan Amirhosseini of the county’s Integrated Waste Management.

Instead, most must rely on services like Diaz’s Ease E-Waste for collection and disposal services. About 10 hazardous waste haulers service Orange County, and Diaz said he expects more to step in as e-waste rules become stricter. His firm plans to soon open franchises in other Southern California markets as more businesses develop environmentally friendly brand identities.

“There are businesses that always want to do the right thing and to ruin their brand image in the age of strong environmental awareness can be very damaging,” he said.

Officials with the Department of Toxic of Substance Control said they initially plan to only go after egregious offenders, but eventually even the smallest businesses will be checked for compliance.

“I think it’s more of a moral issue,” said Richard Hammond, who owns Fast Frame on Harbor Boulevard. “A lot of people could get away with chucking batteries in the trash, but that doesn’t make it right.”

Hammond said he collects his electronic waste and usually deposits it at a drop-off site in Santa Ana. He said he was skeptical of laws that handed down another mandate on California business-people, but ultimately said it was up to the individual to follow the rules.

“As a person, you have to want to be part of the success of the world,” he said.