Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program coming to Stafford Township

The Stafford Township Public Works Garage will be the site of the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Accepted materials include 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.

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Accepted materials range from paints and
thinners to waste oil and used gasoline.

“This program gives our residents the opportunity to rid their homes of materials that are potentially dangerous if not stored or disposed of properly,” stated Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the county’s recycling programs.

The free program also provides numerous environmental benefits by “keeping the material from entering our waterways and our preserved lands,” added Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr.

The annual program, which began in Lakewood Township in April this year, will continue monthly throughout other towns until October.

“We have found that holding the collections over several months has increased the convenience of the program,” Lacey said.

Last year, the county collected 284,307 pounds of household hazardous waste. The county uses funds from the state Recycling Enhancement Act Tax Fund to operate the program.

Residents can drop off a maximum of 200 pounds of dry material and 20 gallons of liquid at the collection site. No containers over 5 gallons will be accepted.

Lacey noted that municipal and county recycling centers allow for 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 so items do not have to take up space in their garage or basements,” he said.

Although the program is free, registration is required. To sign up for the Stafford site, call 609-978-0913.

Additional dates, times and locations will be announced soon. More information can be found on the county’s website at co.ocean.nj.us, or by calling 1-800-55-RECYCLE.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.