Ocean County Announces 2018 Spring Dates for Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
Posted by Michael Favor III on
TOMS RIVER – It is time to clear out the garage, the attic and under the sink and participate in Ocean County's free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.
Ocean County is kicking off its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection program on April 7 with its first stop in Toms River, announced Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the county's award winning recycling program.
"I am pleased to announce the first three dates for 2018 of this very popular program," said Little during the Board's March 14 preboard meeting. "I am pleased that we are continuing this program again this year. It provides benefits to not just our citizens but also protects the environment."
Last year, the County collected 415,905 pounds, of household hazardous waste, an increase of more than 125,000 pounds, at a cost of $183,607. The program is funded in part by the State Recycling Enhancement Act Tax Fund.
"This free program, which got started in 1989, provides an avenue to get rid of items like paints, paint thinner, and cleaners, properly and safely, keeping the material from entering our waterways and our preserved lands," Little said. "The Department of Solid Waste Management has done a great job in implementing this program for almost three decades."
The program will run at least once a month from April to October and is held at different collection sites throughout the County.
"We work to make certain this program is accessible to our residents," Little said. "It is held in towns, both large and small, and citizens in any Ocean County town can attend any site. Our residents can attend any location."
The spring dates, times and locations for the 2018 collection are: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 7 at the Toms River Township Public Works Garage, 1672 Church Road; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 12 at the Manchester Township Public Works Garage, 1360 Route 70, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 2, at the Stafford Township Public Works Garage, 320 Haywood Road.
While the program is free, registration is required.
To register for the Toms River Township collection site call 732-506-5047, the Manchester collection site call 732-367-0802 and for the Stafford Township collection site call 609-978-0913.
Materials accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites are: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.
Little noted that additional dates, times and locations will be announced in the near future.
The three spring dates will be serviced by Radiac Environmental Services at a cost of 44 cents a pound.
Municipal recycling centers and the county's recycling centers also allow for year-round drop off of a host of materials including used paint, motor oil and car batteries.
"Our residents should check with us or their local recycling center to determine what is accepted year-round eliminating the need to store potentially hazardous items in their home," Little said.
Residents can drop off a maximum of 200 pounds of dry material and 20 gallons of liquid at the County's household hazardous waste collection sites. No containers over five gallons will be accepted.
Program information also can be found on the county website at www.co.ocean.nj.us or by calling 1-800-55-RECYCLE.
"Spring is the time of year when people are cleaning out garages, basements and attics and seasonal homes are being reopened and prepared for summer," Little said. "We encourage our residents to use this free program to make certain chemicals, cleaners, solvents and other items we use around the house are disposed of properly."