The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on April 28-29 took in 64,000 pounds of material from 1,066 households and 1,014 vehicles.

Residents from 32 of the county’s 35 municipalities participated.  There were several dozen people from five surrounding counties and as far away as Snyder County that came to participate. 

In addition to the pesticides and other household hazardous waste, nearly four miles of linear feet of fluorescent tubes were accepted for recycling.

In addition to CCRRA employees, volunteers from Penn State Environmental Health and Safety and State College Area High School were on-site to assist in checking vehicles.      

The event was co-sponsored by Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture.  MXI of Langhorne, PA 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 number of participants was up from last year; I think that folks are really more aware of their environment and they want to protect the beauty of our county.  Clean air and water are key to the economy of our area. Many county residents were aware of their carbon footprint and combined trips and helped neighbors”  

On Friday, the collection was visited by three bald eagles flying overhead who seemed to be thanking residents for protecting their habitat.

Collection and disposal costs will be split between DEP’s Household Hazardous Waste Program and CHEMSWEEP.  The collection also benefitted the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and residents filled 6 barrels with food.

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 2018.

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5/8/2017