Household Hazardous Waste collections slated

Appointments needed

Monroe County's Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the towns of Gates, Chili, Riga, Wheatland and Churchville and the Village of Scottsville have joined forces to hold an appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Gates Highway Garage, 475 Trabold Road, on Saturday, September 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Town of Greece will hold a HHW collection at the Greece Highway Garage, 647 Long Pond Road, on Saturday, October 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most HHW (paint, flammables and other chemicals from home-use) is safe when used and stored properly. When they become unwanted and are disposed of improperly, these household wastes can become environmental hazards.

To ensure safety and reduce waiting times, appointments are required at all HHW collections. Appointments for the Gates, Chili, Riga, Wheatland, Churchville and Village of Scottsville collection will be accepted until September 18. To schedule an appointment, Gates, Churchville, Wheatland and Scottsville residents should call 247-2911; Chili and Riga residents should call 889-2630. Waste from businesses will not be accepted.

Appointments for the Greece collection will be accepted until October 3. To schedule an appointment, Greece residents should call 225-4590. Waste from businesses will not be accepted of this collection.

Up to 30 gallons (liquid) and 75 pounds (solid) of the following materials will be accepted per appointment at no charge:

•Oil-based and Latex Paint (for 1/3-gallon or less of latex paint: discard lid, add kitty litter, let dry, place can in trash)

•Wood Stain and Preservatives

•Automotive Fluids (anitifreeze; brake, power steering and transmission fluids)

•Pesticides and Fertilizers

•Flammable Products (gasoline, kerosene, thinners, strippers, solvents)

•Household Cleaners (liquid soaps and waxes, drain cleaners, etc.)

•Driveway Sealer

•Pool and Photo Chemicals

•Rechargeable (Ni-Cad) & Button Batteries

•Mercury (thermometers, thermostats)

•Syringes/Sharps (safely packaged)

Residents should not bring: used motor oil and vehicle batteries (contact service station or retailer); cans with dried paint (if it rattles when shaken - remove lid and place in trash); empty containers (trash or recycle); everyday alkaline batteries (trash); glazing/spackle & joint compounds (trash); and, propane tanks (these can be brought to the county's permanent facility - by appointment only).

If residents are unable to take advantage of this mobile HHW collection, the county's permanent collection facility is open weekly (by appointment only). For more information, or for business waste disposal options, call DES at 760-7600 (option 3), or go on-line at www.monroecounty.gov under Environmental Services.