About Us

Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA) was established by a Joint Powers Agreement comprised of the County of Humboldt and the Cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale and Rio Dell in 1999. The Authority is governed by a six-member Board of Directors who regularly meet and provide direction to the Authority’s Executive Director.

HWMA owns and is responsible for the operation and maintenance activities associated with the Hawthorne Street Transfer Station, Eureka Recycling Center, Household Hazardous Waste Facillity and the Cummings Road Landfill. The Authority receives municipal solid waste (garbage) and curbside recycled materials delivered by franchise haulers, and is a One-Stop Drop off for the general public for self-hauled municipal solid waste, recycling services and other material diversion programs and services.

Since 1999, HWMA has been committed to waste reduction and materials diversion activities, beginning with diversion of green waste from the local landfill, expanding over the years to include recycling, CRV Buy-Back, household hazardous wastes, universal wastes (batteries, fluorescent bulbs, medical sharps), electronic wastes, appliances, oil and other automotive fluids, carpet recycling, paint-care and re-use, and tires. Authority staff work closely with our member agencies, franchise haulers and the public to identify opportunities to reduce, re-use and remove other materials from the waste stream.