News Release

Office of the Dutchess County Executive

22 Market Street ¨ Poughkeepsie, NY  12601
Phone:  845/486-2000 ¨ Fax:  845/486-2021 ¨ e-mail: countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us

Date:  July 2, 2007

For Further Information Contact:

William R. Steinhaus, County Executive

845/486-2000

Safely Dispose of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
at Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Days

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus would like to remind Dutchess County residents to take advantage of the five remaining Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal Days hosted by the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency.    Residents now have the opportunity to dispose of compact fluorescent lights (CFL) and fluorescent tubes at these events.

County Executive Steinhaus said, “We are pleased to add compact fluorescent light bulbs to the list of accepted materials at our Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Days.   Dutchess County residents are making a conscious effort to think and behave green.   They are using energy saving CFLs in their homes.   However, many people do not realize they need to be cautious about proper disposal of these bulbs.   Our HHW disposal days offer a perfect opportunity to make sure these bulbs are safely and properly disposed of.”

Fluorescent lights reduce energy demands by operating at cooler temperatures and generally last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.    However, these bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and other potentially toxic heavy metals and must be disposed of correctly.   CFLs or any other mercury-containing products should never be thrown in the garbage.    For safe disposal, residents should bring them to any of the hazardous waste collection events for proper handling.
- more -
 
In addition to CFLs, the HHW disposal events will collect homeowner electronic equipment such as computers, televisions or video game systems as well as homeowner chemicals including non latex paints, kerosene, turpentine, stains, varnishes, pesticides, adhesives and pool chemicals.
Every year, household hazardous wastes are improperly emptied into trash cans and end up in landfills or backyard burn barrels, or may be dumped onto backyard soil or into small streams.  Household hazardous wastes also enter the environment from places such as kitchen sinks, backyards, sewers, and landfills.  County Executive Steinhaus has emphasized Dutchess County Government’s commitment to protecting and maintaining the environment since he launched the “Dutchess Goes Green” agenda in his 2007 State of the County Address.  “Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Days offer residents a chance to help keep Dutchess County a cleaner, greener place to live,” said the County Executive.
Collections are held the first Saturday of the month at the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency (DCRRA) on Sand Dock Road in Poughkeepsie on July 7th, August 4th, October 6th and November 3rd.    DCRRA will also host a collection day at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Millbrook on September 1st.   

Collection events are open to all Dutchess County residents for a $5 registration fee.   All events begin at 7:30am.  The events are partially funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.   Call the DCRRA at (845) 463-6020 or visit www.DCRRA.org to pre-register and schedule a mandatory appointment.   

# # #

See attached for a complete list of accepted materials.

Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency’s
2007 Household Waste Disposal Days

Materials that WILL be accepted:

Product containers marked with words:
"Warning: Hazardous", "Flammable", "Poisonous", "Corrosive"

Photo chemicals, non latex driveway sealer, pool chemicals, creosote, kerosene, flammable liquids, metal polish, turpentine, stains, varnishes, strippers, thinners, gasoline/oil mixture, brake fluid, auto fluids, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, adhesives, resins, solvents, oil & lead based paints (no latex!), mercury containing devices, button cell batteries for watches & hearing aids, compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes.

Expanded Electronic Equipment Collection
Computer Monitors, Central Processing Units (CPU's), Modems, CRT's, Terminals, Laptops, Keyboards, Mouses, Fax Machines, Printers, Scanners, Copiers, Typewriters, TV's, VCR's, DVD Players, CD Players, Tape Players, Radios, Stereo Equipment, Cables, Answering Machines, Telephones & Video Game Systems.

Bins will also be available at the DCRRA location only to dispose of junk mail, white paper, magazines, newspaper and commingled bottles & cans.  There is no fee charged and no registration needed for these bins.

Materials that will NOT be accepted:
Ammunition or explosives, appliances, asbestos products, latex driveway sealer, motor oil, antifreeze, broken glass, building or construction debris, tires, furniture, medical waste/medicines, propane or other flammable gas cylinders, radioactive materials, scrap metal, metal drums or empty containers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, toasters, irons, electric heaters and air conditioners.