Cranberry residents, as well as others from throughout the region, will have an opportunity to safely and inexpensively get rid of unwanted household cleaners, automotive fluids, paints, pesticides and other common chemicals found in their homes at a hazardous waste collection in Cranberry on Saturday, August 16 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
The collection, which will be held at the site of the former Butler Auto Auction, is being sponsored by the Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force, UPMC, and others in cooperation with the Butler County Board of Commissioners and Butler County Recycling and Waste Management.
There will be a fee of $2 per gallon – cash only – for materials dropped off at the site.
Chemicals referred to as “household hazardous waste” include cleaners, paints, stains, varnishes, car batteries, automotive fluids, pesticides, pool chemicals and other products containing ingredients which are potentially hazardous to individuals or harmful to the environment.
“The types of items we collect at these events are products typically found under kitchen and bathroom sinks and in garages and basements,” explained Dave Mazza of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, which serves as Task Force administrator. Although products classified as ‘household hazardous waste’ are safe to use if all label directions are followed, problems can arise when they are disposed of improperly, such as pouring them down a drain, into a storm sewer, or putting them out at the curb along with ordinary garbage.
Items eligible for the collection include: automotive fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid); batteries; chemistry sets; gasoline and kerosene; household cleaners (ammonia, drain openers, acid cleaners, oven cleaners); paint products (latex, oil based, alkyd based, arts/crafts chemicals, rust preservatives, creosote, water sealers, paint thinners, furniture strippers); pesticides/herbicides (rodent killers, insecticides, weed killers, mothballs, fertilizer); photo chemicals; and pool chemicals.
Materials which are not eligible for the collection include ammunition; appliances; bulk waste; commercial and industrial waste; compressed gas cylinders, including propane tanks; explosives; flares; fluorescent tubes; leaking containers; drugs or medical waste (including needles); radioactive materials (including smoke detectors); and tires.
A certified contractor will process the hazardous wastes collected for proper disposal. Materials may be recycled, incinerated, or safely buried in special landfills.
For more information concerning the collection, visit the SWPA Household Hazardous Waste website or call the call Butler County Recycling and Waste Management at 724-284-5300 or the Pennsylvania Resources Council at 412-488-7452.