What Junk Removal Won't Take in Tuolumne County, and Where It Goes Instead
Junk haulers do not take hazardous waste such as oil-based paint, solvents, fuel, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane cylinders and asbestos. In Tuolumne County, latex paint, clean motor oil, batteries, fluorescent tubes and electronics go to the Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer stations, and most other household hazardous waste goes to the county's Jamestown facility once a month, by appointment.
Why some things cannot go in a junk load
California does not allow hazardous waste in the trash. CalRecycle puts it plainly: "It's illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains, or onto the ground because it can harm health and cause fires." A junk removal load ends up at a transfer station with the trash, so hazardous waste cannot ride along.
A second group, called universal waste, includes batteries, electronics, fluorescent lamps and non-empty aerosol cans. These are not as dangerous, but the state still bans them from household trash, so they go to a recycler.
Where each item goes in Tuolumne County
| Item | Where it goes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Latex (water-based) paint | Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer station | County lists it as recyclable household hazardous waste |
| Oil-based paint, thinners, solvents | Jamestown household hazardous waste facility | By appointment |
| Used motor oil and filters, clean | Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer station | Contaminated oil goes to the Jamestown facility |
| Antifreeze | Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer station | |
| Car and household batteries | Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer station | There may be a gate fee. Staples in Sonora also takes batteries |
| Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs | Cal Sierra or Groveland transfer station | There may be a gate fee |
| TVs, computers, electronics | Cal Sierra or Groveland, or the monthly Jamestown event | Free for residents at the Jamestown event |
| Gasoline and other fuel | Jamestown household hazardous waste facility | By appointment |
| Pesticides, weed killers, pool chemicals | Jamestown household hazardous waste facility | By appointment |
| Propane cylinders up to 5 gallons | Jamestown household hazardous waste facility | Larger cylinders are not accepted there |
| Household cleaners, bleach, ammonia | Jamestown household hazardous waste facility | By appointment |
| Asbestos | Not taken by the county program | The county's Don't Trash Tuolumne site points to Merced Landfill; call first |
| Railroad ties and treated wood | Ask before the job | Special state handling rules; not covered by the county coupon |
| Ammonia (absorption) refrigerators | Not taken locally | Merced Landfill, per the county's Don't Trash Tuolumne site |
| Ammunition, explosives, medical waste, large gas cylinders | Not taken by the county program | Call the county Solid Waste Division, (209) 533-5588 |
The county's Jamestown facility
Tuolumne County's permanent household hazardous waste facility is at 17855 High School Road in Jamestown. It opens once a month, on the third Wednesday, from 9 AM to 1 PM, and it is by appointment only: call the county at (209) 533-5588 to book. The county's campaign site says disposal is free for Tuolumne County residents. The same monthly event takes mattresses and e-waste free for residents.
The county also holds occasional one-day events. In 2026 one ran on May 16 at the Cal Sierra Recycling Center on Camage Avenue, by appointment. Watch the county's hazardous waste page for the next one.
Things people think we cannot take, but we can
- Fridges, freezers and air conditioners. Yes. The transfer station charges a Freon removal fee, so they cost a little more. We haul the appliance as part of junk hauling; only a certified appliance recycler or a certified refrigerant technician may remove the refrigerant.
- Mattresses. Yes, with a per-mattress fee because Cal Sierra charges one.
- Tires. Yes, for a fee. California requires a waste tire hauler registration to carry 10 or more at a time, so a big pile can take more than one trip.
- Electronics and old TVs. Yes. They go for recycling, not into the trash.
What we do when we find hazardous items on a job
It comes up often on garage and cabin cleanouts: a half-empty can of stain, a jug of weed killer, a propane cylinder from the camping gear. We set those aside instead of loading them, show you where they are, and tell you where each one goes. If you are in Calaveras County, the list below applies instead.
Calaveras County residents
Calaveras County runs a permanent hazardous waste facility at the Rock Creek Solid Waste Facility, 12021 Hunt Road in Milton, open daily from 8 AM to 4:15 PM for Calaveras and Alpine County residents. It takes paint, solvents, oil, antifreeze, batteries, aerosol cans and propane tanks up to 25 gallons, with limits per vehicle.
Sources
- CalRecycle: household hazardous waste
- California DTSC: universal waste, certified appliance recyclers, treated wood waste, asbestos waste
- Tuolumne County: hazardous waste, electronic waste, mattresses, household hazardous waste FAQ
- Don't Trash Tuolumne: how do I
- CalRecycle: waste tire haulers
- Calaveras County: hazardous waste
Have a pile that needs to go?
Call (209) 213-1324 or send the form with a few photos. We call back, usually within the hour, with one flat price, dump fees included.