The ACUA will hold Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday, June 5..
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Atlantic County residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s convenient drop off location at the Recycling Center on Delilah Road 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5.
Many household products, such as insecticides, cleaning products or rechargeable batteries, are considered hazardous and should never be placed in the trash or emptied down the drain. These items can pollute waterways and the environment when disposed of incorrectly and can even cause fires and endanger sanitation workers.
ACUA’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Days are open to all Atlantic County residents. These convenient drop-off events are scheduled throughout the year at the ACUA’s Environmental Park, located at 6700 Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township.
“These drop off days are very popular and we’re pleased to be able to offer residents an easy way to safely dispose of many household chemicals and materials that shouldn’t go into the trash or recycling,” ACUA President Rick Dovey said. “We encourage people to visit ACUA’s website (www.acua.com/hhw) to learn more about what’s accepted. Not everyone is aware of some of the items that are considered hazardous for disposal in your regular trash. Batteries are one of those items that can pose a danger. We’ve had several fires in our collection vehicles which were caused by rechargeable batteries from vaping device and a hoverboard which shouldn’t have been tossed into the trash.”
Accepted items 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 and oven cleaners. Unused household hand sanitizer has been added to the list of accepted items because of its flammable properties.
Participating is easy and safe, but residents are encouraged to visit the ACUA’s website, www.acua.com/hhw for more information. You’ll find a comprehensive list of what’s accepted and what is not accepted along with helpful information on how to prepare.
“The website is a great tool,” Dovey noted. “In addition to the list of what’s accepted and what’s not, you’ll also find information on alternative disposal and recycling options for some common items, like batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs. You’ll also find information about local recycling and disposal options for items that are not accepted at our Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Days, like electronics and medications.”
When you come to ACUA’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off events, please note that you’ll need to provide proof of residency such as your driver’s license or a tax bill. 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, so you can help a family member or neighbor to save travel time and gas.
Residents bringing materials for disposal should wear masks and remain in their vehicle at the ACUA. Items should be placed in a recyclable or disposable container, such as a cardboard box, that can be safely removed from the vehicle and discarded. Containers will not be returned.
To safely package and transport household hazardous waste, please follow these guidelines: 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.
If you miss the June 5 drop off, you won’t need to wait very long until the next drop-off event which will be held on Saturday, July 10. Additional dates for 2021 are scheduled for Sept. 11, and Nov. 6.
For more information, please call 609-272-6950 or visit the ACUA’s website at www.acua.com/hhw.
