2008 News

July 17, 2008

Commissioners Remind Public of Next 2008 Bucks County Hazardous Waste & Computer Recycling Date
Collection to Take Place, Rain or Shine, Sat., July 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (Rte. 263), 2740 Old York Rd., Warwick Twp.

Bucks County residents have made the Household Hazardous Waste and Computer Recycling Program a key component of the county’s environmental protection and stewardship. Already this year, in Bensalem, Lower Makefield and Bedminster townships, they have disposed of thousands of pounds of potentially harmful material.

The program will make the fourth of its six 2008 county stops on Saturday, July 19, rain or shine, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, located at 2740 Old York Rd. in Warwick Twp. Last year, the Middle Bucks site drew a county single-event record 1,879 participants in 1,740 vehicles. Since its 1991 inception, almost 45,000 contributors have taken advantage of the program, which is sponsored by the commissioners and the Planning Commission and directed by county Recycling Coordinator Lale Byers. Since 2004, all Bucks County collections have included computers and portable televisions.

“We continue to explore ways to bolster county recycling, both internally and through public outreach efforts like the Household Hazardous Waste Program,” noted James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners.

Mr. Byers expressed optimism that the July 19 event could eclipse the 2,000-participant milestone. “Clean Venture, Inc., our household hazardous waste vendor, is gearing up to staff the event with 55-60 personnel,” he added. “We also will be prepared with a dozen volunteers to assist with surveys, dissemination of educational literature, and general traffic control. So far this year, the attendance at the two scheduled collections (Lower Makefield and Bedminster), held in May and June, has been greater than in any previous year.”

Participants may dispose of up to three computer systems and 25 gallons or 220 pounds of hazardous materials. The program is NOT open to businesses.

Acceptable items include pesticides (Chlordane, Malathion, rodent poison, etc.), flammables (oil-based paint, paint thinner spot removers, gasoline, kerosene, heating oil), caustics (ammonia-based cleaners, oven cleaner, drain cleaner), toxics (photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, weed killer, antifreeze, mercury), button-type household batteries, lead-acid batteries (car, marine, motorcycle and truck) and propane tanks of 20 pounds or less. Unacceptable items include latex paint, appliances, biological waste, tires, explosives and asbestos.