Old cans of paint, leftover cleaning products and quarts of motor oil — among other hazardous items — can be disposed of for free at a joint waste collection between the city of Tracy and San Joaquin County

The event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, is at the Tracy Municipal Airport at 5749 S. Tracy Blvd.

According to a press release from Jennifer Cariglio of the Tracy Public Works Department, the event helps prevent toxic chemicals from entering the environment, either from being dumped down drains or leaching into the water table from landfills.

Products marked with warning or caution labels “can contain hazardous chemicals that can be toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive,” she wrote, adding it’s illegal to dispose of hazardous waste via standard garbage collection.

Household hazardous waste materials include paint, household cleaners, pesticides, hobby supplies, garden products, pool supplies and automotive products.

Electronic waste and so-called universal waste will also be accepted at the collection.

Universal waste includes batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and devices containing mercury.

Electronic waste includes computers, televisions, monitors, printers, cell phones and other consumer items.

The household hazardous waste event will not accept large appliances, tires, explosives or radioactive wastes.

There are restrictions, however, to how residents should prepare waste for disposal. Residents can bring no more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste; should not mix chemicals together; and should transport the hazardous waste in a car trunk or bed of a truck.

The event is open to all residents of San Joaquin County. Business with hazardous wastes must call 800-207-8222. Residents and businesses with more than 20 electronic devices are requested to call Onsite Electronics Recycling at 234-7994 before the waste collection to make arrangements.

• Contact Glenn Moore at 830-4252 or Glenn Moore@tracypress.com.