The phrase "garbage in, garbage out" takes on a different meaning when you add the word toxic.

The reality is that not everything can or should go in the trash. Toxic garbage — which includes a growing number of everyday items — can leave a hazardous legacy.

National Pollution Prevention Week runs through Sunday, and El Cerrito is observing the week by hosting a collection of hard-to-recycle materials from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Recycling Center, 7501 Schmidt Lane.

The event is a chance for residents to drop off burned-out compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes, mercury thermometers and thermostats, and unneeded or expired medication for proper disposal.

Like older thermometers and thermostats, the energy-saving CFL bulbs contain mercury, albeit in tiny amounts. "Most people aren't aware that CFLs contain hazardous materials and they throw them in the trash," said Garth Schultz, an analyst for the city's Environmental Services Division.

Knowing about the hazard of thousands of accumulated bulbs leaking their contents in a landfill doesn't make disposal any easier.

"What people are frustrated with is there are not many places to take them," Schultz said.

Right now, getting rid of the bulbs means a trip to the somewhat remote Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Richmond, the designated location for CFL disposal in West County.

"We put together this

This is a one-day event and is limited to El Cerrito residents, at least for this initial go-round. "We don't know how many people are going to come and we don't want to be overwhelmed," Schultz said.

Unlike electronic waste drop-offs, which generate revenue for the collecting organization, "there's a definite cost to collecting hazardous material and getting it disposed of properly," he said.

Once they have a better idea of the potential turnout, future events could be extended to residents elsewhere in West County and expanded to include paints and other materials.

Over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including expired and unused pills, syrups and inhalers should be in their original containers with the drug name intact and personal information blacked out.

Needles, syringes and lancets in approved containers are acceptable, but controlled substances and medical waste are not.

Households bringing in a mercury thermometer can get a free digital replacement at the event.

The items will be accepted at the Recycling Center only during Saturday's collection.

For more details, call the El Cerrito Environmental Services Division at 510-215-4350. Learn more about hazardous material disposal in West County by calling 888-412-9277 or visiting www.recyclemore.com.

WEST COUNTY NOTES: Port Costa's own robot sculptor, Clayton Bailey, was honored Aug. 29 during the fifth annual Arts Day at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

Bailey is a former professor of art at Wisconsin State University and professor emeritus of ceramics at Cal State East Bay.

He established the "Wonders of the World Museum" in Port Costa in 1976 and is well-known for his whimsical, life-size robot creations made from found objects (see more at www.claytonbailey.com.).

Bailey and Sacramento painter Fredric Dalkey were presented with Golden Bear Artist of the Year awards as this year's Arts Day honorees and the fair hosted a special exhibit of Bailey's creations.