HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS SCHEDULED

HARRISBURG, JUNE 1 – State Sen. Connie Williams would like residents to be aware of upcoming household hazardous waste collection events that are scheduled in Montgomery and Delaware counties in the coming weeks.

During these events, people may drop off unused or leftover portions of household products containing toxic chemicals, automotive products (such as motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, kerosene and gasoline), paint products (such as paint thinner or turpentine, paint remover, oil based paint, furniture stripper and refinisher), and other hazardous item (such as pesticides/herbicides, lighter fluids, concrete or asphalt sealers and swimming pool chemicals).

"All of these chemicals and materials could potentially contaminate groundwater or injure waste management workers and equipment," Williams said. "I commend Delaware and Montgomery counties for scheduling these hazardous waste collection events, because it makes it very easy for homeowners to responsibly discard these items in the safest and most environmentally-friendly way."

At some of the events, computer electronics will also be accepted.

Events are scheduled as follows (those events that allow for the collection of computer electronics are listed in bold):

June 30^th – Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive, Norristown
Aug. 11^th – Perkiomen Valley Middle School, 100 Kagey Rd., Collegeville.
Sept. 15^th – Covanta Delaware Valley, L.P., 2^nd and Harwick Streets, Chester
Oct. 12^th – Rose Tree Park, 1500 N. Providence Rd. (Route 252), Media
Oct. 27^th – Lower Merion Transfer Station, 1300 Woodbine Ave., Penn Valley

All events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

When bringing items for collection, people are reminded to:

• keep all products in original containers with the labels intact;

• wrap any leaking containers securely and place them in a plastic bag or garbage container;

• secure all items for transport to the collection site;

• not store items in transport near each other if there is a possibility of a chemical reaction;

• load items into the vehicle shortly before leaving for the event, so materials are not left in hot, unventilated areas for long periods of time.