Pool & Hot Tub Chemicals Illegal in Garbage & Drains Hazardous Waste Hazardous Waste Collection Pool & hot tub chemicals need special handling to avoid toxic exposure for waste workers, the community, and the environment. City Specific Disposal OptionsPlease check with your city page (residential or commercial) to confirm if additional options are available, such as home collection, drop-off locations, and/or events. (These options vary per city.) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-OffYour city or county may offer HHW drop-off sites and collection events.– Los Angeles County: S.A.F.E. Collection Centers and events– Riverside County– San Bernardino County– Ventura County Disposal Options For BusinessesHazardous waste cannot be placed in your containers. Schedule a Special Waste Collection by emailing [email protected] or calling Athens’ Customer Service Department at 888-336-6100. Fees may apply. Some HHW drop-off centers may allow drop off by small business generators (check links above). Store Properly to Keep Dry If water comes into contact with pool chemicals, the runoff can contaminate drinking water sources. Store them off the ground and away from windows, doors or any other points of water entry to keep chemicals dry. Don't Store With Flammable Material Pool chemicals create toxic fumes, which make it easier for flammable substances to explode or ignite. Do not store with flammable or incompatible substances, such as gasoline, oil, grease and alcohol. Find out more. Keep in a Cool Place Store pool chemicals below 95°F/35°C and in conditions recommended by the manufacturer in order to prevent them from producing toxic fumes. Use Up Completely Pool chemicals should be used up until containers are completely empty. This way less of these harsh chemicals will be purchased and have the chance to leach into the environment. Ways to Reduce Natural Alternatives to Chlorine There are several chlorine alternatives as well as ways to reduce how much chlorine is needed to keep a pool clean. The Olympic Games use ECOsmarte in their pools because it is a non-chemical, eco-friendly pool cleaner.