People from 600 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this past weekend sponsored by the Centre County Solid Waste Authority.

More than 17 tons of material was collected during the two-day event. In all, 606 vehicles brought hazardous chemicals from 627 households. Residents from 32 of the county’s 35 municipalities participated.

The event was co-hosted by Centre County Solid Waste Authority, Centre County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Protection.

“Centre County residents showed up in force and really showed their environmental caring,” said Joanne Shafer, Centre County’s deputy executive director/recycling coordinator. “What a wonderful way to connect people and the environment on this weekend after Earth Day.”

The Department of Agriculture’s Chemsweep Program will pay for disposal of 5,804 pounds of agricultural chemicals. Collection and disposal costs of the remaining 28,580 pounds will be split between the Household Hazardous Waste Fund and DEP.

5/9/2008