CCRRA to collect household hazardous waste

STATE COLLEGE — In 2016, the Centre County Refuse and Recycling Authority collected more than 50,000 pounds of hazardous household waste during its annual collection event, and, this year, the organization is hoping for even more.

“We want to get rid of this stuff in a safe and environmentally friendly manner so we hold this event each year, and it truly has been successful,” said Amy Schirf, education coordination for CCRRA. “It’s been definitely successful in years past and we’re hoping for a good collection event again this year.”

Items will be collected at the CCRRA site, at 253 Transfer Road off Route 26 near the Nittany Mall, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday, April 29.

Schirf said items that will be collected include insecticides, weed killers, pool chemicals, cleaners, poisons, corrosives, flammables, oil-based paints, CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes and most other hazardous chemicals from households only.

She said the organization will not accept latex paint, used motor oil and antifreeze, medications or alkaline batteries. She noted, however, that dried latex paint can be tossed out in the normal trash, used motor oil and antifreeze can be disposed of at local vehicle repair shops, several medicine drop boxes are placed throughout the county for disposal of unused or unwanted medication, and alkaline batteries can be disposed of at retail locations where batteries are sold.

In addition to collecting hazardous waste, the authority will also collect consumer electronics, she said.

“Something new this year is that we’re partnering with Weis Markets and the Central PA Food Bank,” said Schirf. “Anyone who brings a non-perishable, non-outdated food item for donation will receive a limited edition Earth Day tote bag.”

Last year, 700 to 1,000 cars brought items to the collection event, and according to Schirf, 40,000 to 70,000 pounds of material are collected annually during the effort.

“Last year, we gathered up 7 miles of fluorescent light bulbs, if they were laid end to end,” she said.

Schirf also said the authority will take unused or non-working appliances at the transfer station.

“You might as well just bring everything you have that day,” she said, “and we’ll unload it for you.”