The City of San Diego's Environmental Protection Division conducts random inspections of commercial and residential refuse loads entering the Miramar Landfill to ensure the loads contain only wastes that are allowed to be disposed. The Landfill is not allowed to accept hazardous waste. Inspections diverted approximately 21 tons of hazardous waste from the Landfill in fiscal year 2005 including waste such as the hazardous waste found in this illegally disposed 55-gallon drum.

Businesses and residents with loads containing contaminated soil, non-friable asbestos, industrial solid waste (such as waste from sandblasting operations), or treated wood must obtain preapproval prior to disposal. To obtain preapproval, customers need to complete a Special Waste Disposal Request with required supporting documents. The requests usually take 24 hours to process before the load can be scheduled for disposal.

Information Contacts and Resources

For Special Waste Disposal Request forms and related documents, email Kirk Galarneau, supervising hazardous materials inspector, or telephone at 858-492-5051.

• For household hazardous waste disposal options for City of San Diego residents, call Environmental Services at 858-694-7000.
• For proper disposal options for businesses call the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health at 619-338-2222.