The Town of Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways and Municipal Services Facility collected over 14.49 tons of hazardous household waste at the free disposal event on October 5. Five hundred twenty households within the township turned out to safely dispose of 28,980 pounds of toxic items, which are prohibited in regular curbside waste pickups.
“Our residents take great pride in protecting our environment utilizing events like this to responsibly dispose of potentially hazardous chemicals and products from their homes.,” said Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim. “While our hope in the long term is that residents will use these events as inspiration to consider using safer and environmentally friendly alternatives around the home, the participation from the community speaks volumes about its popularity.”
In addition, the town collected 67 propane tanks and over 350 batteries. The Smithtown DEW provided reusable bags to residents. The event was spearheaded under the direction of Environmental Director David Barnes, DEW Senior Analyst Rich Kitt, and the town’s Municipal Services Facility foreman, Tommy Passariello.
A portion of the wastes collected for manifested disposal include: mercury, waste oil-based paints, flammable paints, gasoline, paint thinners, waste gases, petroleum distillates, flammable solids, oxidizer liquids and solids, sodium/potassium nitrates, acids, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, miscellaneous toxic liquids (i.e. Chlordane, etc.) and solids, lacquers, lithium batteries, battery acids and various other toxic compounds.
The Household Hazardous Waste collection events for the 2025 calendar year will be announced in December.