Material Reuse Program: A Community Tradition in Waste Reduction

Since 1999, Thousand Oaks residents have embraced sustainability through the City’s Material Reuse Program (MRP)—a practical, community-oriented initiative that gives usable household products a second life while reducing waste and protecting the environment.

What started as a small-scale reuse opportunity during monthly hazardous waste events has grown into a professionally managed service housed at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility, which opened in 2014. Today, the MRP is a valued component of the City’s environmental services, reflecting community values of environmental responsibility, public safety, and civic participation.

What Is the Material Reuse Program?

The MRP allows residents to take home gently used products for free—items that might otherwise be discarded but still have value and utility. Commonly available products include:

1. Latex and oil-based paint
2. Household cleaners and polishes
3. Automotive fluids and car care products
4. Sealants, adhesives, and select non-hazardous items (e.g., tools, tiles, and working electronics)

To ensure safety and usability, all items must be:

1. In good condition
2. At least half full
3. In their original, labeled containers

Note: Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and any substances banned by the U.S. EPA are not eligible for reuse and are strictly excluded.

On occasion, non-hazardous items like small appliances or stereos—often brought in during home cleanouts—may be made available at staff discretion. Most electronics, however, are directed to local Goodwill centers or electronics recycling facilities, which offer more frequent drop-off opportunities.

How to Participate

Residents can visit the Reuse Room during regular facility hours—no appointment needed:

1. Location: 2010 Conejo Center Drive
2. Open: Fridays & Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
3. No appointment required
4. Limit: 5 items per visit
5. Visitors must be 18 or older and sign a waiver
6. 15-minute time limit per visit

The Reuse Room is located at the front of the property and is monitored by professional staff to ensure a safe and orderly experience.

A Program Built by the Community

Before the permanent HHW Facility opened, the City hosted monthly collection events at the Municipal Service Center. These gatherings quickly became neighborhood events—where longtime residents would guide newcomers through the reuse process and share tips on safe product handling.

Some visitors would arrive early and wait hours to see what new items might come in, creating an unofficial swap culture that, while spirited, raised concerns about fairness and safety.

Designed for Safety, Guided by Best Practices

The HHW Facility’s layout and policies were shaped in part by a 2009 CalRecycle-funded study led by Dr. Eugene Tseng of UCLA. The study reviewed 40 HHW programs statewide and identified operational best practices for safety, efficiency, and customer service.

Thousand Oaks incorporated those recommendations into the facility’s design—placing the Reuse Room near staffed work areas and equipping it with security cameras for added visibility and control.

To ensure fairness and uphold public trust, City and contractor staff are prohibited from personally taking any items unless specifically permitted by official policy.

Why It Matters

The Material Reuse Program offers a wide range of community benefits:

1. Reduces landfill waste and disposal costs (Nearly 89,000 lbs of items distributed in the past 5 years)
2. Helps residents save money on household essentials
3. Extends the life of products that still have value
4. Supports California’s waste reduction and resource conservation goals
5. Promotes responsible sharing in a safe, structured environment

With nearly two decades of participation and strong community support, the MRP stands as a model program, demonstrating how local government and residents can work together to reduce waste and protect our environment.

We encourage all participants to approach the program with the same respect, safety, and neighborly spirit that helped it thrive. Together, we can keep Thousand Oaks clean, green, and resilient for generations to come.

Learn more at toaks.gov/hhw or call the City’s Sustainability Division at 805-449-SAVE (7283).