Many conventional household cleaners are considered hazardous waste due to their chemical ingredients, which can harm human health and pollute our air and waterways when not disposed of properly.

Making your own cleaner is a simple way to avoid those harsh chemicals and create a healthier home. Skip the toxic cleaners, save money, and reduce waste by making this simple DIY cleaner at home!

With just three ingredients, you can create an effective and refreshing cleaner that’s safer for you and the environment.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• *Orange peels (optional)

Instructions

1. *Add orange peels to a jar
2. Cover with white vinegar and seal tightly
3. *Let the mixture sit for 2 weeks
4. Strain out the peels and dilute with water

*Optional step for scent. Skip this step for a quick mixture!

Note: this recipe is not recommended for cleaning wood or leather.

Shredded paper is not recyclable in curbside recycling carts! The City is hosting shred events at no cost to help residents securely recycle confidential documents.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

8 a.m.- 10 a.m. (or until the mobile shredding truck on site is full)

Veterans Memorial Stadium

4901 E. Conant St. (enter on Conant St.)

Other upcoming events:

• Saturday, June 13
• Saturday, September 12

Accepted:

• Confidential documents, white or color paper
• Manila file folders, staples and paperclips
• Envelopes and cardboard

Not Accepted:

• CDs, hard drives and cell phones
• Three-ring binders, credit cards
• Hanging file folders, metal objects, plastics, glass, plastic bags, food, batteries, weapons

Note: there is a limit of three boxes per vehicle, and the box size cannot exceed 10” x 12” x 15” dimensions.

You may place your food scraps into the green cart unbagged. This is the best way for items to be processed at the composting facility. You may also layer cardboard or leaves at the bottom of your cart to keep it fresh and clean.

If you prefer to use a bag, you can use a paper bag or wrap your food scraps in newspaper. They can be processed right along with your food scraps and yard trimmings.

Bags labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' are NOT accepted in your green cart.

Find out the answer at the bottom of this email!

Keep an eye out for us! You may see us in your neighborhood.

The City has teamed up with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach on a door-to-door education campaign to:

• Share tips: Learn what goes in trash, recycling, and organics carts.
• Check carts (6 a.m.- 9 a.m.): See campaign progress and how households are sorting.
• Leave tags: Educational reminders of what to improve or praise for getting it right!

The correct answer is D. Bring batteries to a HHW/E-Waste or battery drop-off location for safe disposal!

Batteries may be small, but they can cause big problems in your curbside carts, sparking fires in collection trucks and at recycling facilities and putting workers, equipment, and our community at risk.

Instead, keep batteries out of your curbside carts and bring them to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) or E-waste drop-off event, or to a battery drop-off site, for safe handling and proper recycling.

Battery Drop-Off Locations

Help protect the environment and workers who serve our community. Household hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in the trash or any curbside cart because it can harm our soil and waterways and put collection crews at risk.

Long Beach residents have access to household hazardous waste drop-off events at no cost.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes, but is not limited to:

• Lightbulbs
• Electronics
• Paint
• Pool and garden chemicals
• Medications
• Batteries

HHW & E-Waste Collection Events:



Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center Drop-Off

1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro Saturdays and Sundays

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Signal Hill EDCO HHW Drop-Off*

2755 California Ave., Signal Hill

Next event: March 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

*Beginning in July 2026, collection events at this location will shift to a new schedule. Please visit their website for event details.

See longbeach.gov/hhw for holiday closures.

E-Waste ONLY:



Conservation Corps Long Beach (CCLB) E-Waste Drop-Off Site*

340 Nieto Ave., Long Beach

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conservation Corps Long Beach (CCLB) E-Waste Pickup*

Contact CCLB to schedule a free e-waste pickup by calling 562-577-2555 or 562-639-1446.

*CCLB accepts e-waste ONLY and does NOT accept used oil, tires, or other household hazardous waste.