Safely Dispose of Hazardous Household Materials on Sunday

Bergen County residents holding on to old batteries, paints, aerosol cans or any number of other hazardous household items can dispose of them safely and free of charge on Sunday in Paramus.

The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) will conduct its fourth of eight household hazardous waste collection events Sunday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bergen Community College in Paramus.

“Most residents have some of these unwanted materials in their homes and the BCUA collection program is a great opportunity to dispose of them properly and safely,” BCUA Chairman Andrew “Chuck” Vaccaro said in a statement. “I encourage all Bergen residents to get involved and help protect and preserve our environment. It is important to keep these dangerous contaminants out of the solid waste stream and our waterways.”

During the first three hazardous waste collection events this year, 3,839 Bergen County residents have disposed of nearly 313,000 pounds of hazardous material in an environmentally safe manner. Last year's collection from 12,176 Bergen County residents netted nearly 1.1 million pounds of hazardous material.

Some of the common household items that are accepted include aerosol cans, anti-freeze, batteries (vehicle and rechargeable only), disinfectants, fertilizer, fire extinguishers, fluorescent lights, gasoline, herbicides, insecticides, paints (all types), solvents, used motor oil and filters, and varnishes.

Unlabeled waste or containers with unknown contents will not be accepted. Other unacceptable materials include alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) medical waste, radioactive material, explosives, containers larger than five gallons, compressed cylinders (oxygen and acetylene), and pressure treated lumber or railroad ties.

Please do not bring computers, electronics or tires to hazardous waste collections.

Click here for a schedule of upcoming collections (in Paramus, Mahwah and Moonachie) and a complete listing of acceptable and unacceptable items for collection (or see attached PDF). For assistance with disposal of computers, electronics, tires and other unacceptable waste, call 201-807-5825. 

Businesses that wish to participate in BCUA-sponsored collection events must pre-register and will be charged a disposal fee.