Companies report on waste collection numbers in Laguna

Mercury Disposal Systems reported at the May 15 City Council meeting that it collected 2,300 pounds of batteries and 2,100 pounds of fluorescent lamps and compact bulbs from July 1 to March 30 to be recycled.

WM Curbside LLC picked up 9,061 pounds of household hazardous waste from curbs in front of 140 homes from July 1 to April 30.

The city will renew contracts with both companies, subject to the adoption of the 2012-13 budget.

The curbside, door-to-door service collects household hazardous and electronic waste, needles and non-controlled medicines, at a cost of $35,000, with $5,000 of that money going toward the collection of used oil,. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery funds the service.

Collected items also include used transmission fluid, paint, batteries, fluorescent lights and pesticides.

The curbside service is available to small businesses as well.

Mercury has locations throughout the city where household batteries and fluorescent lamps can be dropped off for recycling. The cost to the city for the battery disposal is a maximum of $182 a month. Maximum charge for the lamps is $250 a month.

Drop-off locations are City Hall, Ganahl Lumber, Coast Hardware, Whole Foods Market, Laguna Beach Auto Supply and both Sweetwater Car Washes.

— Barbara Diamond

Twitter: @CoastlinePilot