First time trying this waste disposal site. What a great FREE service the City of LA provides as a way of safely disposing of paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, household cleaning chemicals, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs! Just go to www.sanitation.lacity.gov for a list of accepted and NOT accepted items for drop off. Since this location is only open Sat & Sun 9a-3pm and the website warns participants that the line starts around the corner, on Devonshire, I was a bit nervous about how this would work. But it was great! Waited til Sun AM, when the souls that need saving would be preoccupied, and arrived around 9:45. No wait. Pulled up and was immediately greeted by a friendly worker. 2 questions: What are you dropping off? From what address did the items come? Then a 'thank you! Please proceed.' I laughed and said, 'I'm a first timer, where/how do I proceed?' 'Oh! My bad! Again, welcome! You will drive around the horseshoe and workers will direct you to the front. You'll put the car in Park and turn the engine off. Remain in your vehicle. Open the back of your vehicle and workers will remove the items. When they are done, they will let you know to close the back, start the car, and proceed safely out the facility. Thank you and have a nice day!' I did as instructed and everything went has he had said it would. Within 5 minutes of arriving, the car was unloaded and we were on our way home. Fabulous! Makes me wish I had more toxins sitting around the garage, waiting to be disposed of safely. Cheers! "CC" read more

Nicole Bernson SAFE Center - Hazardous Waste Disposal Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went here on Saturday and it was a breeze to dispose of electronics, sharps, and medication. Tip: sharps must be in a container, even if they're unused and in the package. you don't need a sharps container and you can even use a milk jug as long as it's labeled. It's so convenient to have a drive-through away where they just collect your address and then take it out of your trunk. Wish they were open more than the weekend! read more

We dropped off batteries, nail polish, and an old fire extinguisher at this SAFE Center. Staff was friendly and quickly removed items from the trunk (you must stay in your car) and sent us on our way. Make sure you make a right turn (from Balboa) into SAFE Center as they don't allow left turns. If you attempt to make a left turn into the facility, you will be blocked by staff from entering and you might find yourself in oncoming traffic trying to turn your car around. read more

My only real complaint about this location is that it's right off a busy street and doesn't have a ton of space within it so there is quite often a long line to get in which not only causes you to wait, but can cause a bit of a traffic jam on the main streets around it. But I do have to give all the workers credit as they do their best to get as many cars in and out as quickly as humanly possible. They're at the mercy of what each vehicle brings in and they can only move out so much stuff at such a certain rate. Staff is always friendly and helpful. We've come a few times and they've answered questions all while lugging out our hazardous materials. They don't even have you leave your car. You're instructed to just turn your engine off, pop the trunk, and then they do the rest. My only complains are that I just wish they were open more. There have been times we've had things sitting around our garage because we just can't get to them while they are open on Saturdays. There have also been a few weeks around the holidays where they're just closed for a few weeks at a time (which is understandable) but we've come on the week or two after they have posted they'll be open again only to find the gates still closed and no one outside. Not sure if there was another reason for that. Just note that there is a chance that you could show up only to find it's closed. read more

Nicole Bernson SAFE Center - Always a long line. Try to get here at opening if possible - Hazardous Waste Disposal Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We cleaned out our garage and had an embarrassing number of paint cans that needed to be disposed of. We loaded them up and drove straight to the SAFE Center. The line moved quickly, in-take was fast and friendly, and the folks who retrieved the cans from my trunk did so efficiently. A+ for leaving me with a "have a great day". read more

Easy place to drop off hazardous and electronic waste. I would recommend putting the stuff in a box and putting them in the back of your car or trunk. You'll never have to get out of your car, the workers will take the stuff out for you. I would recommend approaching this place from Devonshire the line sometimes backs up on Balboa and there is no turning left into the site. read more

Super convenient and a great service for the community. Very well organized and you are in and out quickly.

This place has been my go-to for several years now. Fast, efficient, sanitary... they manage that place so well, if you didn't see the neatly-stored and secured waste materials, you wouldn't know you're in a recycling center. Drive in, never get out of your car... drive out. Simple, and it's the right thing to do. read more

An incredible community resource if one takes the time to use it. The process is quick and easy. The staff is polite, accommodating, and swift. In and out in no time at all. read more

They are NOT open! Drove all the way there and there is a sign out front saying they are back open on the 10th.

Alex Rocks. He was efficient, accommodating, friendly, and just all around awesome. He provided helpful information after listening and answering all my questions exuding kindness -- Thanks again Alex for your super coolness and going above & beyond, cheers! He's definitely a great asset here. read more

Long line to get in because it's a drive through drop off service, so please be patient. No need to leave your car as employees take care of everything. read more

always a quick and friendly service. If bringing liquids, be sure to label the containers.

Hazmat disposal made easy! Roll up on the weekend, stop at the greeter who will ask you for your zip code and what you brought, drive to the next area, pop you trunk, wait for someone to remove your hazmat items, and drive away once your trunk is closed. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes and I did not have to exit my car. Employees were super friendly and helpful. The facility seemed to run smoothly and safely during my visit. 5 solid stars! read more

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This is the place to take your hazardous waste. In and out quickly. They take electronics, but not CD/DVDs. read more

Great place to dispose of things you should not be putting in the trash. You don't even have to get out of your car. You pop the trunk and they take out the items you want them to take. It's a drive through and very easy to do. read more

For batteries, electronics, paint or chemicals, anything, drive through in minutes. We're lucky to have this! I go about once a month to make sure I don't throw anything toxic. read more

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised. I figured as a government-run facility everyone would be surly. It was the opposite. Everyone not only spoke to us in a very kind manner, the others all just seemed quite happy working there, even on a Sunday morning. I also thought they would simply turn me around if anything in my box was not allowed. Nope; instead, they said, "Hey, if you pop your trunk and allow us to go through what you brought, you don't even need to get out of your car." Easy for me as I had nothing in my trunk but a box full of what I wanted to drop off. They went through each item, put my box back, and came up to the window to say, "There were just a few items that are regular trash, just made of metal and plastic, so I left them in there." I think they really appreciate those of us who set aside CFL and fluorescent bulbs, batteries, motor oil, and expired fire extinguishers, and take the time to bring them there, instead of dropping them in the trash. I mean, it's illegal to put that in the trash, but that's not really enforceable. You go away feeling like a hero. Something else I didn't know is they accept e-waste (electronic waste) such as disused computers. For some reason I thought that was all completely separate from other hazardous waste, and it's always been a real pain to find a place to conveniently drop off e-waste. I had brought this crappy little guitar amplifier that stopped working, and they took it. When you go, approach on Devonshire from the west, and turn right onto Balboa. You'll see it right there, and, as others have pointed out, there will likely be a line. We went around 11 a.m. on a Sunday and there were just two cars ahead of us. We were out of there in less than ten minutes. It's the closest to us from Canoga Park and it took over 20 minutes each way, but since I drove with my wife while leaving the kids at home, we got to spend some cute alone time together! read more

They added walk up recycling recently. You have to wait in line for cars ahead of you for some dumb reason. Like the 20 people at the facility can't spare 30 seconds to take your stuff? read more

Very convenient & efficient- less than 5 mins- stayed in the car, dropped off two old printers. Staff is courteous & gives clear directions! Done! read more

Very easy to find. Was able to drop off my items with ease. As i entered the centered, i was created by the staff who directed me to where to meet the pick up staff. I had cleared my trunk and labeled what was needed to be taken out, and the staff were still very amicable, checked in with me what was being grabbed, and took my item straight from my trunk. Was even offered a new carton for the item i was delivering. Very safe and reliable. read more

they were closed on the weekend of the holidays when everyone else was open and then the line to get in was all the way to amestoy and was to,d the have a stricted policy that they close at 3pm this is VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE read more

Such a great service and so easy. The only drawback is that they're only open Sat - Sun 9a - 3p. One of the only place I know of where you can dispose of dead fluorescent light bulbs. On the West side of Balboa just before Devonshire (but don't try to turn left into their driveway if you're heading North on Balboa). If you're disposing of sharps, be sure they're in a hard plastic container or they won't take them. Other than that, pull in, get in line, drive through, follow their instructions and pop the trunk - they remove the stuff for you. Easy peasy! read more

So happy I found this place. Have been holding on to a bunch of paint cans from my last reno for several years and glad I was able to dispose of them properly. It's drive-thru style with the entrance right after the gas station--stick to the right or you might miss it. Staff is super fast and friendly, and we were in and out in 5 minutes or less. Keep up the great work! read more

They will damage the interior of your vehicle and they will not respect your vehicle. I was required to wait in my vehicle while they open it, rummage around, and carelessly bang and drag items all over. This left scratches and other damage to my interior, exterior, moldings, and additional regions around the hatchback frame. The items were not even heavy (a small microwave, toaster, food processor, and hair dryer). I had to wait in a line of cars that blocked the gas station driveway. People trying to leave the gas station started to road rage me because I happen to get stuck in the line of cars blocking the gas station driveway while trying to enter the S.A.F.E facility. It was a horrible experience. As I was leaving I saw somebody else just leave his car parked blocking the driveway while he carried his disposal items into the facility. This is a better alternative. I think any way to bring the items into the facility without using your car will be a better alternative. read more

Great services provided by the city of Los Angeles. Sometimes there is a line and a waiting period, but it is worth the wait to properly dispose of your e-waste and other hazardous materials. The employees also make it easy to get the items from your car, all you have to do is show up! They are still currently closed due to COVID-19, however, they have a pick up service that you can call which is provided on the website. *They also take propane tanks! read more

Drive thru drop off location. No need to park. Quick and easy to bring stuff to. They take expired medicine and vitamins. Downside is that they're only open on weekends. I've included a picture of what is acceptable and what's not. read more

Nicole Bernson SAFE Center - List of what they do and do not take. - Hazardous Waste Disposal Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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If you're reading this, don't throw your batteries in the garbage (among other things). We all have super easy, drive-thru style drop off of e-waste available to us. Great example of a municipal program working incredibly well while keeping landfills free of cruddy stuff that could work its way into our water supply, etc. It takes less than 5 minutes. S.A.F.E. = Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/ Electronics read more

Don't throw away your batteries not electronic items! It's so easy, convenient, and COVID-friendly. Drive up to the center and leave your electronic recyclable items in your trunk. They will get the items from the trunk and you'll be on your way. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because they are only open on the weekends. read more

I'm so glad that I have a place to go to recycle old electronics and other things that couldn't be recycled normally. I'm such a hard core recycler - so I'm always dropping off old batteries or light bulbs or nail polish. Easy to drive in and drive out. read more

So simple, so convenient! Had old paint and old batteries lying around waiting for me to find somewhere safe to take them. Found Nicole Bernson SAFE Center online. Put the items in the trunk of my car, drover over, they ask what you've got to drop off, you drive through, open your trunk, they take the items and close your trunk, and you're on your way home! read more

FREE HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL If you knew how expensive it is to properly dispose of hazardous wastes, you would realize that 5 stars is not enough. Open on weekends, this place accepts the following that you dint, that I remember: Paint Waste Solvents Degreasers Over the counter and prescription medications Toilet cleaners Electronic wastes Much much more You don't even have to get out of your car: just drive through, they'll get the items from your trunk and then you leave. The City of LA makes it easy for you to do the right thing and dispose of your household hazardous wastes properly. read more

Came here on a Saturday an hour before closing and there was a long line wrapped around the block. Looked like everyone had the same idea! Decided to come back the next day a bit earlier in the day which turned out much better, hardly any line. There was someone directing cars to enter into their facility making sure driveways were kept clear for the neighboring business as drivers may not be aware when waiting in line....good idea. Once in, we were greeted by a courteous worker, he asked his questions, gave us a flier and moved us down the line. We popped our trunk and several workers checked out all the items we brought. Told us they didn't accept the broken blower we had and said we can trash that. All said and done it took less than five minutes. Very courteous and efficient workers. read more

Places like this make me very happy. Welcoming, professional, thoughtful people helping me properly get rid of the crap I use that is hazardous to just throw away? Yes, please. It couldn't have been easier. Stayed in the car, was out in less than ten minutes. read more

So quick and convenient!!! Nice to have this in my neighbor.Need to enter going South on Balboa. They unload everything for you. Literally drive in drive out. read more

Great way to safely get rid of chemicals. Free!!!! Monitors, TVs, and e-waste too. Drive thru and the friendly team there unload your waste! Free! read more

Nicole Bernson SAFE Center - Hazardous Waste Disposal Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Today a neighbor was dumping paint cans into my 3 yard trash bin. I heard some commotion and went outside to intervene. Another neighbor was scolding him for dumping hazardous waste into our landfills. He graciously asked if I could take it to the Bernson SAFE Center. Man I had no idea this place existed. I was told it has been around for 10 years. We need to get the word out that this FREE city service exists. Way to go LA! read more

Super easy to drop off. Even when the line is long the friendly and efficient team gets you through quickly and with no work on your part.

Half a dozen teenage workers leaned up against my truck bed. One rude and unprofessional worker ordered me out of my truck bed where I was separating recyclables from keepers and into my cab. This is what happens when incompetence and arrogance is given authority. The entrance line of traffic is causing unsafe traffic on north bound Balboa traffic. I will recycle elsewhere. read more

This place is very efficient. The people working there are also very courteous. We pulled off, popped our trunk open and they removed the TV and other electronics in less than 5 minutes. read more