Household hazardous waste will be accepted at special Westmoreland Cleanways collection

Registration is open for a June 26 household hazardous waste collection event at the Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling site, but those planning to drop off items should first check the lists of materials that can and can’t be accepted.

“The things we do not take include explosives, like flares, medical waste and anything that’s radioactive,” said Ellen Keefe, executive director of the organization based near the village of Pleasant Unity in Unity Township.

There is a fee of 85 cents per pound for most permitted materials brought to the event, which is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road. Westmoreland Cleanways members pay a discounted rate of 75 cents per pound.

Keefe noted her organization is charged $1.50 per pound by hazardous waste contractor ECS&R of Mercer County, which conducts the collection. The Cleanways nonprofit covers the difference with the help of a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

There is an extra collection fee for old school thermometers that contain mercury. But bulk mercury — such as may be used by chemists — is not permitted at the event, Keefe said.

Other items that won’t be accepted include electronics, tires, appliances containing Freon, ammunition, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, medicines and any substance regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Accepted materials include all types of paint, mineral spirits, thinners and other solvents; not-quite-empty aerosol cans; automotive fluids; degreasers; drain cleaners; fertilizers; old gasoline and fuel mixes; pesticides; pool chemicals; metal polishes; old chemistry sets; and wood preservatives.

Visit ecsr.net or call 866-815-0016 for more information and required registration.

According to Keefe, there is room for about 180 cars at the hazardous waste collection.

Westmoreland Cleanways’ last such collection, in April, collected about 25,000 pounds of hazardous waste, Keefe said. “That was one of our biggest events,” she said. “Normally, we’ve been averaging 15,000 pounds.”

The next special collection is set for Oct. 23.

Tires, used motor oil, most electronics and appliances with Freon are among items that may be brought to the Westmoreland Cleanways site for recycling only during its regular public operating hours: noon to 5 p.m. Mondays; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8:30 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month.

Visit westmorelandcleanways.org or call 724-879-4020 for details.