If you have some unwanted toxic or hazardous items or materials in your house or garage, here’s a great chance to dispose of them safely. On Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Philadelphia Streets Department’s Sanitation Division will be holding a free household hazardous waste collection event at the 1st District Highway Yard, 4800 Parkside Avenue.

The following materials and items are considered hazardous and will be accepted at this event:

• Paint and paint related materials, including solvent-based paints and stains, paint thinner, varnish, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, swimming pool chemicals.

• Kitchen, bathroom products and cleaning solvents;

• Automotive products, including used motor oil, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, brake fluid, degreasers;

• Flammable materials (kerosene, old gasoline); 

• Other hazardous materials accepted at the event include:

Fluorescent Light Tubes (transport in original box if possible) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)
PCBs
Dioxin forming compounds
Mercury
Asbestos (Non-Friable Only)
Artists’ paints
Moth balls
Stain and spot removers
Photographic chemicals
Lead products, including solder, fishing weights, and similar items
Household batteries
Rechargeable computer and cell phone batteries
Button cell batteries used for hearing aids, watches, and calculators

The following items and materials are not considered hazardous:

• Latex paint;
• Household batteries size D, C, AA, AAA and 9 volt;
• Televisions, computers, and electronics. (You can take these items to any Sanitation Convenience Center).

For more information about hazardous waste accepted at the event and other useful information, visit the Street Department’s website.