Erie County Department of Environment and Planning schedules household hazardous waste, paint-only collection events

Submitted by the Press Secretary to the Erie County Executive

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning is joining with partners to offer Erie County residents two free springtime collection events to clean out their garages and basements. 

A household hazardous waste collection is being held in the Village of Depew on May 31, and a paint-only collection is being held June 7 in Williamsville. Both collection events are free, but preregistration is required.

Registration can be completed by making an online reservation at www.erie.gov/recycling or by calling the HHW information line at 716-858-6800. Appointments are limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The specific location for both events will be provided during the registration process.

The Northeast Southtowns and Northwest Communities Solid Waste Management boards are partnering with Erie County to provide the site and staffing assistance for the HHW collection event being held May 31. Residents are afforded the opportunity to properly dispose of many types of hazardous household materials such as most household chemicals, pesticides, motor oil and gasoline, all types of paints, and batteries. A complete list of acceptable materials is available here.

The June 7 paint-only collection in Williamsville is sponsored by GreenSheen, a company that makes new ecofriendly paint from recycled paint. Shellacs, lacquers, sealers, varnishes and urethanes will also be accepted at this event. Note: No household hazardous waste will be collected at this event, only paint.

Residents not able to bring materials to one of these collections can utilize the year-round option of the county’s HHW voucher drop-off program that allows residents to register to bring up to 50 pounds of eligible household hazardous waste to a private facility in Tonawanda at no cost. Preregistration for that service is required and can be done either by visiting www.erie.gov/recycling or by calling 716-998-8073.

Support for these collection programs is also provided by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, NEST Solid Waste Management board, Northwest Communities Solid Waste Management board, and GreenSheen.