Folks from 876 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this weekend at the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.

Approximately 44,893 pounds of material was collected during the 2-day event.  In all, 827 vehicles brought hazardous chemicals from 876 households.  Residents from 33 of the county’s 35 municipalities participated.  We also had a few dozen people drive in from out of county to participate.

Volunteers from Penn State Environmental Health and Safety were on-site to assist in checking vehicles and the Alpha Fire Police helped with directing traffic.    

The event was co-sponsored by Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture.  MXI of Virginia was the successful contractor.

“Centre County residents showed up in force and really showed their environmental caring.” said Joanne Shafer, Centre County’s Deputy Executive Director/Recycling Coordinator.  “The amount of participants was up from last year, showing that Centre Countians have really embraced the reduce, reuse, recycle ethic.  Every method of transportation was used from bicycle, to motorcycle, to cars to mini-vans to help reduce the carbon footprint.  Many neighbors helping neighbors were evident.”

Collection and disposal costs of all 44,893 pounds will be split between the Household Hazardous Waste Fund, DEP & CHEMSWEEP.  We even collected over a half of ton of cardboard during the event.

Employees volunteered to sell the Delectable Delights from the Dump cookbooks and sold 75 during the two days as well as collected over $500 in donations which will all be donated to the children of Sammy Boob.

If you missed this collection, look for information next spring.  The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority will be holding another Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in 2014.

5/6/2013