Event Provides Residents Easy Option for Disposal of Potentially Harmful Household Items
Residents looking to dispose of potentially harmful household materials may do so at the Bronx SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, and Electronics) Disposal event, held this Saturday, May 14, at the Orchard Beach parking lot. Residents driving to the free event should follow Park Drive to the end. The drop-off event is rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Household products such as pesticides, strong cleaners, mercury-containing devices, paints, automotive fluids, and medications may be brought to the drop-off event. Residents can also bring electronics, which may longer be left for curbside collection due to a New York state law.
To identify harmful products, look for items marked DANGER, WARNING, POISON, or CAUTION. Please also bring other materials stored in your home that you know may be harmful. Only NYC residential waste will be accepted.
“Our SAFE Disposal events give city residents a quick, convenient way to dispose of potentially harmful products, the items many of us have in under the sink, or in the back of a closet,” said Commissioner Garcia. “We are also thankful to our partners in helping make these events a success year after year.
In 2016, DSNY will hold ten SAFE Disposal events, two per borough. The first Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens events were already held. Upcoming events include:
- Bronx
Saturday, May 14
Orchard Beach Parking Lot – Follow Park Drive to the end
- Manhattan
Sunday, June 26
Columbia University/Teachers College – 120th St between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave
Cars approach from Seminary Drive down Amsterdam Ave
Walk-in area available for residents taking public transportation
All events are rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Examples of Accepted Items
- Automotive products such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and auto batteries
- Personal care items like unwanted medicines or cosmetics
- Thermometers
- Syringes (clearly labeled and packaged in a “sharps” container or other leak proof, puncture-resistant container)
- Household products such as pesticides, paint, hazardous cleaners, spent compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Electronics, such as computers, televisions, and printers.
Materials collected are either recycled, blended for fuel, or sent to licensed hazardous waste treatment facilities for safe disposal.
Electronics are responsibly recycled or refurbished for reuse through e-cycleNYC.
Unwanted medications are managed by environmental police and incinerated to prevent unintentional poisonings or entry into the water supply.
DSNY relies on several partners and contractors to make these events a success, including the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Columbia University, Teachers College, Covanta Energy, Electronic Recyclers International, and Veolia ES Technical Solutions.
For those unable to participate in these events, visit www.nyc.gov/safedisposal or contact 311 for other year round options to handle auto products, batteries, cell phones, electronics, fluorescent lamps, latex paint, mercury devices, and syringes.
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) promotes a healthy environment through the efficient management of solid waste and the development of environmentally sound long-range planning for handling refuse, including recyclables. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of 2,022 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 365 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,000 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.
Follow Us