EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - To prevent fires from suddenly erupting in trash collection vehicles, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority reminds residents to safely dispose of hazardous household items.
The next Houshold Hazardous Waste collection day is this Saturday, May 31 at the ACUA Environmental Park 6700 Delilah Road. The hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
During last week’s collection route, a lithium-ion battery improperly placed in a curbside trash bin caused a small fire and smoke in the rear of an ACUA collection vehicle.
“This latest incident highlights the importance of proper battery disposal,” ACUA President Matthew DeNafo said in a release. “Although these batteries are quite small, they can cause great harm to our equipment, or worse, our team. We remind the community to please do some research on proper disposal when clearing out their homes.”
Hazardous items include cleaning products, motor oils, weed killer, oil-based paints, auto care products and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
Participants should bring proof of Atlantic County residency, such as a driver’s license or a tax bill. To safely package and transport household hazardous waste, please keep all products in original containers if possible; wrap leaking containers in newspaper and place in a plastic bag or garbage container; place items securely in a box for transport; keep chemicals separate; and do not leave materials in hot, unventilated areas for long periods of time. The maximum amount of household hazardous material allowed for disposal is 20 gallons and/or 200 pounds (dry weight) per household.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.acua.com/hhw for a comprehensive list of accepted items and guidelines.
Additional drop-offs will be held on July 12, Sept. 6, and Nov. 8.
For more information, please call 609-272-6950 or visit the ACUA website at www.acua.com/hhw.
