PALMDALE — To celebrate Earth Day, April 22, the city has planned a month of activities and events as part of its environmental pride month.
A free collection of used motor oil and oil filters is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 16, at AutoZone, 5022 West R. Lee Ermey Ave. (Ave. N). Residents can bring in their used oil and filters to receive a new oil filter free of charge (not to exceed $15). There is a limit of two free filters per household.
The free ongoing collection of household hazardous waste and e-waste continues on the first and third of every month, with the next collection event on April 16. Residents can bring their household hazardous waste – such as light bulbs, batteries and cleaning supplies – as well as electronic waste to the Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center, 1200 West City Ranch Road. The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on this program, visit CleanLA.com or call 888-CLEAN LA.
If your spring cleaning includes disposing of an old mattress, mattresses can be dropped off at the Palmdale Landfill for free, or free bulky item pickups can be scheduled up to four times a year. CleanLA will also be hosting a free mattress recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 23 at the Los Angeles County Public Works Yard at 38126 Sierra Highway.
If this spring cleaning also produces more trash than usual, additional pickup is available during Palmdale Pride Week, April 25-29. Residents should call 661-947-7197 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule collection of additional bags. No hazardous household waste or electronic waste can be included in this collection.
On April 30, the city will host a paint recycling and reuse event, in partnership with PaintCare. Residents are encouraged to bring whatever paint they need to dispose of or drop by if they need paint themselves. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Palmdale Transportation Center, 39000 Clock Tower Plaza Drive.
Also on April 30, the city partners with Los Angeles County for a free tire drive event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Up to nine tires per trip will be accepted, and rims may be included. No oversized, tractor or company tires will be accepted.
The event takes place at four county public works sites across the Valley: 38126 Sierra Highway, Palmdale; 4859 West Ave. L-12, Quartz Hill; 8505 East Avenue T, Littlerock; and 17341 East Avenue J, Lake Los Angeles.
In April and May, Los Angeles County Public Works also offers free smart gardening webinars, covering topics such as an introduction to composting, water gardening, organic gardening, and small space gardening. Each is 45 minutes long, followed by a 15 minute question and answer period. Visit smartly gardening.com to register, and for other smart gardening tips.
This is outside the April period of Environmental Pride Month, but the city will also host its free bimonthly document shredding service on May 14. Residents may bring up to five boxes of documents to be shredded from 9 a.m. to noon at the Palmdale Landfill, 1200 West City Ranch Road. Further document shredding events are scheduled for July 9 and September 10.
Documents should be free of staples, bindings and plastic sheet covers; staples, file folders and envelopes are accepted. For more information call 661-947-7197 or visit home.wm.com/palmdale
Regardless of month or season, residents are encouraged to download the Recycle Coach app, available from the Apple or Google app stores, for up-to-date information or reminders on their collection schedule. Information is also available online at cityofpalmdate.org/173/Environmental-Resources, or by calling the city’s Environmental Resources Division at 661-267-5300 or emailing envirotech@cityofpalmdale.org. Residents can contact Waste Management at 661-947-7197 with any questions or concerns.
