TRASH TRANSFER

A transfer station is a sort of rubbish halfway house. The county has four such stations that accept trash and other materials, which is then hauled to one of the county landfill sites. While transfer station rates may be higher than gate fees at the county dumps, those additional costs can be saved in time and fuel expenses, depending on location.

Rates are generally based on vehicle type and/or weight. Hard-to-handle materials--such as mattresses, tires and palm trees--will cost more to dispose of than light trash. Call before hauling any difficult or questionable items to make sure they can be handled.

Of the four transfer stations, two also manage recycling centers where sorted recyclables (various kinds of paper, glass, aluminum cans and plastic) can be redeemed for cash.

(1) CR Transfer Inc.

Address: 11232 Knott Ave.

City: Stanton

Phone: (714) 826-9040

Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Rates: $7 per car; $10 per truck; $30.25 per ton (commercial/industrial/hard-to-handle materials)

Does Not Accept: Hazadous waste, batteries, infectious materials, tires, liquids

(2) Rainbow Transfer Recycling Inc.

Address: 17121 Nichols St.

City: Huntington Beach

Phone: (714) 847-3581

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays

Rates: $12 minimum; $30.25 a ton (light rubbish); $34 a ton (hard-to-handle materials)

Does Not Accept: Hazardous waste, batteries, oil, tires, liquids

(3) Sunset Environmental

Address: 16122 Construction Circle West

City: Irvine

Phone: (714) 651-5714

Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays

Rates: $10 minimum; $15 for vans, trailers, cab-high loads; $26 per ton; $6 each for sofas, tires, appliances; $3 each for mattresses, box springs

Won’t Accept: Hazardous materials, combustibles, liquids, dead animals

* On-Site Recycling Center: Newspapers, aluminum cans, computer paper

(4) Consolidated Volume Transporters

Address: 2761 East White Star Ave.

City: Anaheim

Phone: (714) 630-8615

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays

Rates: $8 minimum; $10 for trucks with built-up sides; $20 per ton (light rubbish); $24 per ton (hard-to-handle materials)

Does Not Accept: Hazardous waste, batteries, liquids, oil

* On-Site Recycling Center: Newspapers, aluminum cans, glass, plastics, computer paper, cardboard and mixed waste

LANDFILL SITES

The county maintains three landfill sites the public may use. They are open every day except Sundays and major holidays. These sites do not accept liquids, chemicals and hazardous wastes. Their locations and hours of operation are:

North County--Olinda

Valencia Avenue (north of Imperial Highway)

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East County--Santiago Canyon

Santiago Canyon Road (south of Chapman Avenue)

Hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

South County--Prima Deshecha

Avenida La Pata (south of Ortega Highway)

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FEES:

Automobiles--$3

Trucks--$5

Minimum Fee--$5

Hard-to-handle materials (tires accepted at Olinda and Prima Deshecha sites only)--$5