North Hempstead S.T.O.P. Event Set for September

Here’s a way to dispose of unwanted items and take care of the planet. North Hempstead’s S.T.O.P (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Michael J. Tully Park, at 1801 Evergreen Avenue in New Hyde Park.

Residents can dispose of items such as aerosols, household chemicals, pesticides, disinfectants, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bulbs, thermostats, rechargeable and lithium batteries, TV’s, and computers. Please bring oil-based paints only. Latex and water-based paints will not be accepted at the S.T.O.P. collection site. Once dried out (usually 24-36 hours after the lid is removed), those paints can be placed in a trash bag and thrown out with your regular household garbage. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, are considered hazardous, and will be accepted at any S.T.O.P. event.

Residents can dispose of unwanted or unused pharmaceuticals at each S.T.O.P. Event. Since 2008, the town has diverted more than 6 tons of unwanted drugs from landfills and protected local drinking water

During the S.T.O.P. event, North Hempstead residents can also safely shred and dispose of personal documents, thereby minimizing the opportunity for identity theft, while at the same time making an invaluable contribution to the protection of the environment. Residents are invited to shred any personal paper documents and credit cards free of charge. Any commercial business documents including home offices will not be accepted. Residents are reminded there is a limit of 6 boxes or bags of paper per car, per event. Once the documents are shredded, they will be placed into containers and sent directly to pulping mills across the country. Every 2,000 pounds of paper the twn recycles equates to one tree saved.

The Town of North Hempstead is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters to have a truck at the September 6th S.T.O.P. event. Big Brothers Big Sisters will be accepting gently used and working clothes, stuffed animals, electronics, toys, sporting equipment, shoes, books, small area rugs, bikes, scooters, luggage, picture frames, table lamps, bolts of fabric, silverware, glassware, dishes, and cosmetics. Each resident will receive a receipt for their donation for income tax purposes.

For more information on the S.T.O.P. program, please call 311 or e-mail recycle@northhempsteadny.gov.