YORK COUNTY, Pa. – The York County Solid Waste Authority will hold a FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the parking lot of Woodland View York, LP located at 915 Woodland View Drive in Manchester Township.
Residents who bring in a mercury-containing device such as a thermostat, thermometer or elemental mercury will receive a $5 gift card for Lowe’s. Covanta York Renewable Energy, the operator of the Authority’s waste-to-energy facility, is partnering with the Authority to sponsor the gift card exchange to encourage residents to eliminate mercury from the waste stream. There is a one gift card limit per household. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are not eligible for the gift card exchange, but will be accepted at the HHW program. There are a limited number of gift cards available for distribution on May 7.
Household hazardous waste includes any products from the home that are corrosive (drain cleaners or bleach), flammable (gasoline), reactive (chemistry kits) or toxic (pesticides). The program benefits York County by identifying hazardous wastes found in the home and providing an opportunity to manage these materials in a safe and efficient manner.
All York County homeowners or residential tenants are eligible to bring their household hazardous waste to the collection site. Business and government entities are not eligible to participate. There is no fee to participate. The program is made possible by funding generated from tipping fees collected at the York County Resource Recovery Center and a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. After collection, a licensed hazardous waste commercial hauler hired by the Authority will transport the material to permitted hazardous waste sites. These facilities will recycle the materials collected.
Examples of items accepted include: thermometers containing mercury, liquid mercury, auto products (transmission and brake fluids, antifreeze, batteries), pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fluorescent light bulbs, gasoline, kerosene, rechargeable batteries– Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb), photographic and pool chemicals, driveway sealant, and household cleansers (oven, drain, etc.).
Please do not bring paint or other paint-related products including: latex and oil-based paint, turpentine, paint thinners, varnish, and paint strippers or removers. These items can be placed in your regular garbage for pick-up. Containers should be sealed tightly to prevent spillage. Also, DO NOT bring alkaline batteries (i.e.: AAA’s, AA’s, C’s, D’s, etc.), explosives, ammunition, propane tanks, or medications. Dispose of alkaline batteries in your regular garbage. For a listing of York County Collection Centers accepting used propane tanks and motor oil for recycling, call the Authority at 717-845-1066, or visit our website at www.ycswa.com and click on the recycling symbol on the home page. To safely dispose of medications either make the medication unpalatable with coffee grounds or kitty litter and place in your regular garbage, or dispose of medications for free at 16 York County police departments. For a list of police departments that have secure medication return boxes, visit our website and click on “Household Waste” on your home page. For questions about how to safely dispose of other items, request the Authority’s “What Kind of Waste is Accepted at the Resource Recovery Center Brochure” or visit our website.
Can’t make the May 7 event? An option called “At Your Door Special CollectionSM” enables York County residents to call a toll-free number to schedule a home pick-up of household hazardous waste. The number is: 800-449-7587. Residents may schedule two pick-ups per home, per calendar year and can request up to two “kit bags” per pick-up to fill with acceptable household hazardous products. “At Your Door Special CollectionSM” pick-ups require a $15 co-pay. Visit www.wmatyourdoor.com for more information.
The Authority facilitates responsible solid waste management through an integrated strategy that emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, recycling and resource recovery. The Authority is the owner of the York County Resource Recovery Center in Manchester Township; and owns and operates a Yard Waste Transfer Facility, a Recyclable Materials Drop-off Center and an Education Center. In 2015, the Authority collected 17.56 tons of household hazardous waste in its spring program and 1.59 tons in its year round Special Collection curbside program. This is the 31st year the Authority has conducted a household hazardous waste collection program.
