Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Andrew Monteleone remind residents that hazardous materials cannot be placed curbside with trash and must be brought to special drop-off days the Town hosts at its Solid Waste Complex.
“Improperly disposing of products such as waste oil, oven cleaner or paint thinner could contaminate your water supply,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Anything poured on the ground or put into cesspools, storm drains, or recharge systems can work its way down to the aquifer or our waterways.”
Unfortunately, residents who are cleaning out their homes during recent months have improperly disposed of hazardous waste, including items like paint, propane/oxygen tanks, gasoline, liquid waste, medical waste including needles, oil and lithium batteries. To help accommodate residents looking to dispose of such items, the Town hosts S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) collection programs, as well as Homeowners Cleanup Days, to allow for the drop-off of unwanted waste. Upcoming dates include:
S.T.O.P. program – Saturday, July 12th & Saturday, August 9th from 9am – 4pm: collects various hazardous materials, including: asbestos material (double bagged); automobile batteries; automobile tires (with or without rims); brake and transmission fluids; drain and oven cleaners; fire extinguishers; fares; fluorescent bulbs; gasoline; pesticides and insecticides; oil-based and latex paint; outdoor gas grill propane tanks; photo chemicals; rechargeable and button batteries; small aerosol cans; smoke detectors; solvents; spot removers; thermostats; waste motor oil and antifreeze; and wood preservatives.
Homeowners Cleanup Day – Saturday, July 26th & Saturday, August 23rd from 8:30am–4pm: collects non-hazardous waste only, including: air conditioners; all e-waste; campers; boats and boat trailers (proof of ownership required – oil, gas, other fluids and batteries removed); clean, broken concrete; large metal items; propane tanks and propane torches; tires; and yard waste. Residents can also bring up to four bankers’ boxes of paper for the Town’s paper shredding program, held during Homeowners Cleanup Day.
“With the start of summer upon us, many residents are cleaning their yards and may have large amounts of yard waste and other non-hazardous debris to dispose,” said Councilman Monteleone. “You can bring items such as used tires, fence posts, clean broken concrete or yard waste to our Homeowners Cleanup.”
The Town’s S.T.O.P. and Homeowners programs are open to residents within the Town’s Solid Waste Disposal District. Proof of residency is required. For more information, including a full list of what is accepted at these programs, visit www.oysterbaytown.com/cleanup or call (516) 677-5848.