Dangerous reactions are possible when hazardous materials are combined, so never mix used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, solvents or other potentially hazardous liquids together. RSWA urges everyone to protect the environment and never pour these items onto the ground or down a storm sewer . just bring them to RSWA for proper waste management. Just think, one quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water! Hazardous material should also be segregated from your daily solid waste stream and stored safely pending proper disposal.

RSWA operates a household hazardous waste collection site at the Ivy location. Residents of the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County can bring the following items to the RSWA Ivy site, Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm:

• Antifreeze
• Motor Oil
• Household Batteries
• Oil Based and Latex Paints
• Fluorescent Light Tubes (sizes T8, T12, and T17)

Please note:
there is a fifty-five (55) gallon maximum per visit.

Each year the RSWA holds a larger scale household hazardous waste collection day. On this day, RSWA accepts additional hazardous substances and ensures that they are properly categorized and directed to a permitted offsite hazardous substance management location. The materials accepted on this day include:

• Acids
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Adhesives
• Pesticides
• Household Cleaners
• Floor and Furniture Polish
• Paint-Related Products and Solvents
• Batteries
• Antifreeze
• Motor Oil

Items not accepted at any time include:

• Propane Tanks
• Radioactive Waste
• Medical Waste
• Explosives
• Ammunition

For more information about existing programs: the Recycling Operations Manager, 977-2976, ext. 128.

To express interest in a change in service:

• Come to Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Board meetings, located at 695 Moores Creek Lane off of Franklin St. They are at 2:30 p.m. or whenever the Water & Sewer Authority meeting ends. They are generally held the 4th Monday of every month (see www.rivanna.org). You can also send email to info@rivanna.org or write to Executive Director, 695 Moores Creek Ln., Charlottesville, VA 22902.


• Come to County Board of Supervisors meetings. The regularly scheduled meetings of the BOS are held the first two Wednesdays of the month, in Board Room 241, Second Floor, County Office Building. Mail a letter to the Chairperson of the BOS at 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902; Email ecarey@albemarle.org or call 296-5843.


• Come to the Charlottesville City Council meetings. Council meetings are held the first and third Mondays each month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall on the Downtown Mall at 7th and East Main Street. Email coxj@charlottesville.org, mail a letter to the Mayor, Box 911, City Hall, Charlottesville, VA 22902, or call 970-3113.

The following Web site may be of interest to area residents:

Safe disposal methods for hazardous materials. (Separate site)

Every year in the Charlottesville / Albemarle area many of us change our own motor oil. While this can save money, it can be at the expense of our environment if the used oil is poured on the ground, down storm drains, or placed in the solid waste stream. Improperly disposed of waste oil can migrate into our ground water and streams and causes environmental damage. For example, just one quart of used oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water if disposed improperly!

The proper way to manage used motor oil is to recycle it. The following service stations and auto parts stores accept used motor oil for recycling from the general public. Many other service stations or parts stores in our community may also accept used motor oil. Contact your neighborhood service station or parts store directly to find out.

To recycle your motor oil, drain it into a container with a sealable top, such as a clean plastic milk jug. Do not mix it with other automotive fluids or paints or other wastes. Used oil may be taken to one of the following recycling locations during regular business hours.