GHENT — The second Columbia County Household Hazardous Collection Day to be held this year will take place Sunday at a new location.
Because of the large turnout for the first collection day on May 7, when many participants were turned away, a second collection day was scheduled, said Jolene Race, Columbia County director of solid waste.
The second collection day will be held Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbia County Fire Training Center, at 50 Grandinetti Drive, Ghent, Race said.
County residents with hazardous materials to dispose of should enter Grandinetti Drive from Bender Boulevard, off Route 66.
During Sunday’s event, a large variety of items will be accepted, including: oil-based and latex paints, stains and varnishes, fuels, roofing tar, driveway dealer, pool chemicals, poisons, insecticides, weed killers, pest control products, household batteries, photo chemicals, chemistry sets, polishes, drain cleaners, art supplies, rug cleaners, aerosol cans, lighter fluids and many more items, Race said.
Items that will not be accepted include: empty containers, empty paint cans, empty aerosol cans, radioactive waste, commercial and industrial materials, fire extinguishers, infectious and biological waste, prescription medications, syringes, asbestos, ammunition and explosives, fireworks, noncontaminated motor oil and antifreeze, Race said.
The complete list can be found online at columbiacountysolidwaste.com.
Once the materials are collected, they will either be incinerated, recycled or disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency and New York State guidelines, Race said.
Proof of residence will be required at the event, Race said.
Nearly 600 vehicles, representing 666 households, were unloaded during the May event that was held at the Columbia County Highway Garage on Route 23B in Greenport.
The number of participants was so large, it resulted in major traffic backups for several hours that were a mile long.
Columbia County held its first collection day in 1991.