Registration open for 1st of 3 hazardous waste collection events in Westmoreland
Mar. 16—Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling's Household Hazardous Waste Collection was so popular in 2020 the agency has scheduled three this year, with the first slated April 17.
Ellen Keefe, executive director of the nonprofit environmental organization, said the first collection will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the recycling center at 355 Pleasant Unity-Mutual Road, just south of Route 130 in Pleasant Unity.
"The last few we've had, we've collected between 20,000 and 22,000 pounds, so that shows there is still a lot of materials out there," Keefe said.
Registration is required. Keefe noted, because of the amount of items collected in one day, the contractor usually can handle 150-170 cars.
Separate registration opportunities will be available for collections planned June 26 and Oct. 23
Hazardous waste contractor Noble Environmental Specialty Recycling of Crawford County is handling registration and conducting the event. Register by calling 412-567-6566 or visiting nobleenviro.com.
Openings for last year's Oct. 24 collection filled so fast, a second collection was added in November.
Participants must pay 85 cents per pound for recycled items they drop off, and there is an additional fee for mercury thermometers. Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling members will receive a 10-cent-per-pound discount on the cost of disposal.
The amount due is determined onsite, depending on the weight of material to be disposed. In keeping with pandemic guidelines, only debit or credit cards will be accepted for payment.
Participants should mention their Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling membership status before checkout to receive a discount.
The collection includes most household substances commonly marked "toxic," "hazardous" or "dispose according to local waste regulations" that are kept in basements, garages, garden sheds and laundry rooms.
All paints including latex, oil-based and alkyd paints, lacquers, mineral spirits, thinners and other solvents will be accepted. Chemicals such as not-quite-empty aerosol cans, automotive fluids, degreasers, drain cleaners, fertilizers, old gasoline and fuel mixes, insecticides, pesticides, pool chemicals, metal polishes, old chemistry sets, wood preservatives and more will be accepted for safe disposal in the most environmentally preferred manner.
Materials that are not accepted include: electronics, Freon appliances, explosives or ammunition, radioactive waste, medicines or medical waste, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers or any substance regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
For information about this and other recycling and disposal opportunities in Westmoreland County, call 724-879-4020 or visit westmorelandcleanways.org.
Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@triblive.com or via Twitter .
