Pixabay/Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday, June 6.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Atlantic County residents can dispose of household hazardous waste from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Environmental Park, 6700 Delilah Road.
Due to the coronavirus, all residents should wear masks and gloves. Residents must remain in their vehicle. Items should be placed in a recyclable or throwaway container, such as a cardboard box that can be safely removed from the vehicle and discarded.
Many items kept in a basement, garage, yard or even in a kitchen cabinet may be considered hazardous and should never be placed in a household trash can or emptied in the ground or down the drain. Examples include insecticides, fertilizer, paint thinners, furniture polish, weed killers, pool chemicals, rat poison, rechargeable batteries, car and boat batteries, auto care products, gasoline, rust remover, oven cleaners and more. These items pose a danger to sanitation workers as well as our waterways and environment when disposed of incorrectly.
“We cannot over-emphasize the importance of proper disposal of household hazardous waste,” ACUA President Rick Dovey said. “Between lawn chemicals, pool chemicals and paints, the typical household can easily accumulate over 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in a year. We urge residents to safely store materials until they can attend one of our convenient drop-offs throughout the year.”
To highlight the dangers of improper disposal, ACUA reminds the public of a collection vehicle fire that was caused by a rechargeable battery from a vape pen that was disposed of in a residential trash can in November 2019.
The drop-off is open to Atlantic County residents only. Those wishing to participate must bring proof of residency. The maximum amount of household hazardous material allowed for disposal is 20 gallons and/or 200 pounds (dry weight) per household. Participants may bring materials from more than one Atlantic County household, which can save time and gas money.
To safely package and transport household hazardous waste, the following guidelines should be followed:
- Keep all products in original containers
- Wrap leaking containers in newspaper and place in plastic bag or garbage container
- Place items securely in a box for transport
- Keep chemicals which could react with one another separated, and
- Do not leave materials in hot, unventilated areas for long periods of time.
Items not accepted for disposal, include explosives, radioactive materials, ammunition, gas cylinders, 2, 4, 5 Silvex, dioxin, PCBs, asbestos, propane tanks, pentachlorophenol commercial or industrial hazardous waste, rechargeable fire extinguishers and unidentifiable materials.
Before bringing a material, please be sure that it is an accepted product by calling 609-272-6950 or visiting the ACUA’s website at www.acua.com/hhw.
After June 6, the next drop-off is scheduled for July 11.
