TOMS RIVER – Ocean County residents again have the opportunity to clear their basements and garages of paint thinners, pool chemicals, gasoline and other hazardous materials during the county's free Household Hazardous Waste Collection program beginning in April.

"Our first collection date this year is scheduled for April 6 at the Lakewood Department of Public Works," said Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Frank Sadeghi, liaison to the county's recycling program. "This is the first of six collection dates that will be held throughout the County.

"Our residents can attend any location," he said. "We move the collection around the County to make sure accessing the program is convenient as possible so that hazardous items are disposed of properly."

The following are the collection dates and locations for the program. The collection events are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
• April 6 – Lakewood Department of Public Works, 1 America Ave., Lakewood
• May 24 – Stafford Township Department of Public Works, 320 Haywood Road, Manahawkin
• June 21 – Manchester Township Department of Public Works, 1360 Route 70, Manchester Township
• Sept. 6 – Toms River Fraternal Order of Police Lot, 1791 North Bay Ave., Toms River
• Oct. 12 – Jackson Township Municipal Lot, 95 W. Veterans Highway, Jackson Township
• Nov. 2 – Long Beach Township Department of Public Works, 7910 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Township

The program is open to all residents of Ocean County, but businesses and institutions are not eligible. Registration is required, and can be done online at www.co.ocean.nj.us/recycle, or by calling 732-506-5047, if preferred. Proof of residency is also required.

The items that can be dropped off include aerosols, auto products, cleaning products, pool chemicals, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), fire extinguishers, gasoline, pesticides/herbicides, mercury switches/devices (thermostats), stains/thinners, polyurethanes, and polishes.

Items that are not accepted include electronics, cylinders (oxygen tanks), asbestos, radioactive materials (smoke detectors), infectious wastes, explosives (fireworks, gunpowder, boat flares), scrap metal and unknown materials.

All materials, with the exception of oil and gasoline, should be in the original containers. A limit of 200 pounds of dry materials and 20 gallons of liquid material is allowed per household. No containers larger than five gallons are accepted.

Ocean County has contracted with Radiac Environmental Services to oversee the collections at a disposal cost of $1.059 per pound. In 2024, the program collected 303,994 pounds of household hazardous waste, at a disposal cost of $385,768.

"The Ocean County Board of Commissioners started this program in 1989," said the Director of the Board John P. Kelly. "It has been very successful over the years, protecting our homes and protecting our environment. Our residents begin calling about appointments before we even establish the annual calendar. I am pleased we can continue to bring this service to our citizens."

Residents are also reminded that they can bring many items to their municipal recycling centers and the county's regional recycling centers that allow year-round drop off of some materials. Those items include used paint, batteries, antifreeze, and waste oil. Residents can use the drop offs located at the Ocean County Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood, or the Southern Recycling Center located in Manahawkin from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Residents can check with their municipal recycling centers for information on what items can be dropped off.