Contact: Joanne Shafer
Deputy Executive Director/Recycling Coordinator
Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority
Bellefonte
(814) 238-7005
College Township – Folks from 1,254 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this weekend at the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.
Over 57,000 pounds of hazardous material was collected during the 2-day event. In all, 1,163 vehicles brought hazardous chemicals. Residents from 33 of the county’s 35 municipalities participated. There were also people who attended from seven other Pennsylvania counties.
Comments from residents were extremely positive. They were very happy that there was an outlet for their material and that they could feel confident that it would be disposed of properly.
We had lots of help with our event. In addition to CCRRA employees, volunteers from Penn State Environmental Health and Safety and the State College Area High School were on-site to assist in checking vehicles. In addition, a group of 6th grade students from Nittany Valley Charter School stopped by to check out the operation.
The event was co-sponsored by Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. MXI of Langhorne, PA was the successful contractor.
“In spite of inclement weather and tornado watches, residents were patient and really showed how much they care about keeping Centre County a safe place to live. We even collected enough fluorescent tubes to stretch 3 miles when placed end to end!” said Joanne Shafer, Centre County’s Deputy Executive Director/Recycling Coordinator.
Collection and disposal costs of all 57,000 pounds will be split between the Household Hazardous Waste Fund, DEP & CHEMSWEEP.
If you missed this collection, look for information next spring. The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority will be holding another Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in 2020.
####