WITH SPRING cleaning right around the corner, Ocean County is making certain its free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program will be up and running to accept residential hazardous waste.

"This is the time of year our residents and homeowners start to clean out garages, attics and sheds," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. "At the County we are getting prepared to accept those items that cannot be mixed in with household trash or recyclables."

The Ocean County Household Hazardous Waste Collection program will kickoff on Sunday, March 21 with a collection site at the Lakewood Department of Public Works, 1 America Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents from across the County can attend any collection site and are encouraged to bring aerosols, damaged batteries, auto products, cleaning products, chemicals/pool chemicals, fire extinguishers, gasoline, herbicides and pesticides, mercury containing devices, paint thinners, polyurethanes and polishes, propane tanks, stains and varnishes.

All materials with the exception of oil and gasoline should be in the original containers and there is a limit of 200 pounds of dry material and 20 gallons of liquid per household.

Dates, times and locations of two other spring collection sites are: Stafford Township Public Works, 320 Haywood Road, Manahawkin, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 24, and Toms River Public Works, parking lot, 1791 Bay Ave., Toms River, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 22.

Quinn noted that there will be additional dates announced in the future.

Registration is required and can be completed online by visiting co.ocean.nj.us/recycle or by calling 732-506-5047.

Quinn noted that Ocean County collected 300,987 pounds during the five collection events in 2020. The cost of the program in 2020 was $174,545.

"More than 2,400 households participated," he said.

He added that the program is now contactless due to the coronavirus pandemic and items should be placed in the vehicle trunk or truck bed for removal. Masks are also required at the collection events.

"I encourage our residents to use this program to insure a safe disposal of household hazardous materials we may have around our home," Quinn said.

He noted residents can also bring paints (latex/oil/marine), mercury thermostats, batteries (rechargeable, button and car), waste oil and antifreeze to the county's two regional recycling centers from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday for proper disposal. The Ocean County Northern Recycling Center is located off of New Hampshire Avenue in Lakewood and the Ocean County Southern Recycling Center is located off of Haywood Road in Manahawkin.

Quinn said that many municipal-run recycling centers also accept used paints and waste oils.

"I encourage you to check with your town to find out what items may be accepted at the local recycling year-round," he said. "By recycling our household hazardous waste we are providing an additional layer of protection to our environment and also our homes."