Ocean County Sets Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Schedule

Ocean County has set the schedule for its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal program for 2014, and it is keeping with the modified schedule that was piloted last year.

In years past, the county would hold disposal days in several towns in the same two months. Beginning in 2013, the county held the collections one day each month starting in March and running until October.

“This provided our residents with greater opportunities to get rid of items that could pose a hazard if kept in the home,” Freeholder Jim Lacey said. “In evaluating the changes we have determined spreading the dates out has made the program even more convenient and successful.”

The first collection dates for 2014 will be March 29 at the Manchester Township Public Works Garage, Route 70; May 3 at the Toms River Township Recycling Center, Church Road and May 31 at the Stafford Township Public Works Garage, Haywood Road. The times for all three locations will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The program is free, but residents must register beforehand and are limited to 200 pounds of dry waste and 20 gallons of liquid. No containers over five gallons will be accepted.

To register for the Manchester Township collection date call 732-506-5047, for the Toms River site call 732-367-0802 and for the Stafford Township site call 609-978-0913.

The program will continue to be held in different towns throughout the county through October, with future dates yet to be determined. The dates will be announced soon, Lacey said.

Last year, 235,654 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected and safely disposed of. The cost of the collection was $91,669, and is paid for using funds from the State Recycling Enhancement Act Tax Fund.

The county's permanent recycling centers, as well as some municipal recycling centers, always accept some hazardous waste items including used paint, motor oil and car batteries.

Materials accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites are: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.