Pesticides and Herbicides

It’s probably no surprise that pesticides and herbicides are hazardous; they kill things, afterall! Be very cautious when using these products and make sure to store them in a safe place away from children and pets.

Fertilizer is hazardous, too?

Inorganic fertilizer is made from synthetic chemicals that can be harmful if improperly disposed. It’s best to stick with organic fertilizers like compost, worm castings, and manure. Check out our Home Composting and Vermicomposting pages for more info about composting yourself. Take a look at our Benefits of Composting page to find out more about using compost as a fertilizer and soil amendment.

What about less-toxic pest control methods?

When compared with traditional pesticides, many less-toxic or even non-toxic pest control techniques prove just as effective. Take a look at the Beyond Pesticides website for suggestions on how to manage common home and garden pests without the use of harsh chemicals.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (1)

  • Safety Kleen — 5310 Overpass Road

• Santa Barbara Area (1)

  • *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road

• Goleta & UCSB Area (1)

  • *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road,

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (1)

  • City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — 1585 N. "V" St

• Santa Maria Valley (1)

  • City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility — 2065 East Main Street

• Outside Santa Barbara County (7)

  • Asbury Environmental Services — 2100 North Alameda Street
  • BGI — 527 North Rice Avenue
  • C.J. Seto Support Services, LLC — 2300 Knoll Dr, Unit G
  • Clean Harbors, Inc. — 880 W Verdulera St
  • Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
  • Industrial Waste Utilization — 5601 State Street
  • Stericycle, Incorporated —