The Environmental Management Center will also dispose of other types of hazardous waste such as motor oil, paint thinner, car batteries, pesticides, insecticides, pool chemicals, used oil filters and everyday household chemicals.
"People who live in different communities outside of Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge can call (800) 98-TOXIC and they will be directed to the appropriate recycling location," Parrish said.
The new law is meant to protect the environment by limiting the amount of hazardous chemicals, such as mercury, entering the state's landfills, Parrish said.
And while the no one will be knocking on the doors of illegal battery discarders any time soon ? compliance with the new law is purely voluntary ? it is imperative for all Californians to secure the state's resources for future generations, Councilman Bob Yousefian said.
"We all need to do our own part because eventually, all these chemicals like lead, mercury and other things that are thrown away at our dumps eventually end up in our water system, and in the end it will be ourselves and our children and grandchildren drinking it," Yousefian said. "So this is a necessary step toward ensuring our health and the health of future generations."
Residents should use common sense to make it easier to recycle small items such as batteries, Yousefian added.
"You are not going to run down [to the recycling center] every time your batteries run out," he said.
"My suggestion is to take a little coffee can and dump your used batteries in there, and once a year when you have to get rid of something large like a TV, haul the batteries down to the place too and get rid of them."
The Environmental Management Center is open every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
