def #79 04/09/08

OCEAN COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION STARTS APRIL 30

OCEAN COUNTY residents can rid their garages, basements and attics of household hazardous waste starting the end of the month, when the county kicks off its spring household hazardous waste collection program.

“We encourage all of our residents to take a good look around their homes and use this opportunity to get rid of materials like paint thinners, boat paints, aerosol sprays and items that pose a danger and bring them to us for proper disposal,” said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to Ocean County’s recycling program. “This disposal program is free and we make every effort to make it convenient for all of our residents across the county.”

The material will be accepted at five municipal sites throughout the County on six different days including two Saturdays beginning in Berkeley Township on April 30. Residents can dispose of materials at any site but need to register.

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.

“This program has come with a very high rate of success,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “It brings with it a host of environmental benefits.”

The county also is encouraging residents to bring in their old fluorescent bulbs for proper disposal along with their household hazardous waste that is sometimes stored in homes for years.

“This is the opportunity to get these difficult to dispose of items out of the house and into the hands of disposal experts,” Lacey said.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is scheduled to award a contract to Radiac Research Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y. during its April 16 meeting. The company will handle the collection and disposal of the household hazardous waste at a price of about 38 cents per pound, which is about five cents less per pound than last year.

Last year, the county collected about 360,000 pounds of material during its two collections over the course of 11 days.

The dates, times and sites for the spring collection are as follows: Wednesday, April 30, from noon to 6 p.m., Berkeley Township Public Works Garage, Pinewald-Keswick Road; Friday, May 2, noon to 6 p.m., Brick Township Public Works Garage, 836 Ridge Road, Brick Township; Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stafford Township Public Works Garage, 320 Hay Road, Stafford Township; Wednesday, May 7, noon to 6 p.m., Manchester Township Public Works Garage, and noon to 6 p.m., Friday, May 9 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 10, Toms River Township Public Works Garage, Church Road.

Registration is required. To register for the Brick and Manchester township drop-off sites call 732-367-0802; for the Toms River and Berkeley township sites call 732-506-5047, and for the Stafford Township site call 609-978-0913.


to the Ocean County News Page