Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
2024 Household Hazardous Waste Schedule Is Out!
Hello, Morris County residents! Are you looking for a safe and convenient way to get rid of your household hazardous waste? If so, you’re in luck! The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) has announced four disposal days for 2024 (May 11, June 22, September 14 and October 26), where you can bring your unwanted items to the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, located at 500 West Hanover Avenue, and have them properly disposed of by trained professionals. This is a great opportunity to declutter your home, protect your health and the environment, and support the hardworking sanitation workers who handle our waste every day.
Acceptable Materials
But before you load up your car with everything you want to get rid of, there are some important things you need to know about the program. First of all, what kind of materials are accepted and what are not? The following items are acceptable:
Unacceptable Materials
The following items are not accepted by the program during our one-day drop-off events:
- E-waste (electronic waste) such as computers, TVs, printers, cell phones, etc.
- Latex paints
- Waste from businesses or institutions
Why are these items not accepted? The MCMUA and the local community offer separate e-waste recycling programs that operate year-round. The MCMUA accepts e-waste by appointment at its permanent HHW facility in Mt. Olive. Additionally, e-waste is accepted at most Morris County recycling depots and big box electronic stores throughout the county.
While latex paints are not hazardous, they can be bulky and messy. These water-based paints can be easily disposed of by drying them out with kitty litter or sawdust and then throwing them in the regular trash. Alternatively, you can donate your leftover latex paints to a local charity or community group that can use them for painting projects.
Waste from businesses or institutions is not accepted by the program because it is regulated by different laws. The MCMUA does not have the authority or the capacity to handle this type of business waste at these one-day HHW events. If you own or work for a business or institution that generates hazardous waste, you should contact a licensed hazardous waste hauler or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for guidance on how to dispose of it properly. Very Small Quantity Generators of hazardous waste may be eligible to utilize the MCMUA’s permanent HHW facility in Mt. Olive after pre-approval, proper documentation, and scheduling an appointment. There will be a per pound fee for all business waste accepted at this facility.
When, Where and How?
Now that you know what you can and cannot bring to the disposal days, let’s talk about when and where they will take place. The four disposal days for 2024 are:
- Saturday, May 11
- Saturday, June 22
- Saturday, September 14
- Saturday, October 26
The hours for each disposal day are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. The location for all disposal days is the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, located at 500 West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany. This is a drive-through service, so you don’t have to get out of your car. Just follow the signs and directions from the staff on site. They will unload your items and sort them into different containers for safe transportation and disposal.
There is no charge for participating in the program, but you must be a Morris County resident with proof of residency (such as a driver’s license or utility bill). Please make sure your items are in their original containers with labels intact, or clearly marked if not. Do not mix different products together or use containers that are leaking or damaged. For safety reasons, do not smoke or use cell phones while on site.
Why?
Finally, let’s talk about why managing household hazardous waste is important for everyone. By participating in this program, you are not only making your home safer and cleaner, but you are also helping to protect our environment and our sanitation workers from exposure to harmful substances. Many of these workers have suffered injuries or illnesses from handling hazardous waste that was improperly disposed of in the regular trash. By bringing your hazardous waste to the disposal days, you are showing your appreciation and respect for their work and reducing their risk of harm.
You are also helping to preserve our natural resources and prevent pollution. A few of the hazardous waste items can be recycled or reused, which reduces the need for mining or manufacturing new materials. Those that cannot be recycled are treated or incinerated in a controlled manner, which prevents them from releasing toxic emissions or leaching into the ground or water. By keeping these substances out of our environment, you are contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future for yourself and your community.
Drop Off HazWaste in 2024!
So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars for the disposal days and start gathering your household hazardous waste. This is a rare and valuable service that the MCMUA provides for us, so let’s take advantage of it and show our support. Together, we can make Morris County a cleaner and greener place to live!
