Press Release

Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day Scheduled for June 20 in Fonda

Montgomery County Plans Event For Residents To Properly Discard Hazardous Waste

FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced on Monday that a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day has been scheduled for later in the month. The event will run from 7 a.m. until noon and take place at the County Annex Building, at 20 Park St., in Fonda. Any Montgomery County resident may participate in this free event, but no commercial waste will be accepted.

"This type of event provides residents with an opportunity to clean out their houses and help us dispose of hazardous materials in a safe and environmentally-friendly way," Ossenfort said. "This event will help keep our county looking beautiful and also keep residents safe from potentially harmful hazardous waste. I want to thank staff in the Department of Public Works and the Treasurer's Officer for providing workers and equipment, as well as Emergency Management and the Print Shop who all helped make this event possible and, in turn, offer this useful service to residents."

Household hazardous waste includes oil based paints and cleaners that contain potentially harmful ingredients and need to be disposed of carefully, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some examples of things that may be discarded are pesticides, corrosives, pool chemicals, hazardous cleaning products and fluorescent bulbs. Items such as electronic waste, pharmaceuticals, asbestos and regular waste WILL NOT be accepted. For more information or with questions, please call Montgomery County Solid Waste at 518-853-8175 or visit the Solid Waste Website.

"An event like this where the county can monitor and dispose of hazardous materials is the best way that residents can help care for the environment," said Legislative Chairman Martin P. Kelly (District 1). "Keeping the county clean and safe will always be a top priority."

These hazardous items should not be disposed of in the trash. To properly discard these products, call a private disposal company or utilize an event like this one. Items dropped off will either be neutralized and recycled into new product or safely and properly disposed.

To avoid traffic congestion, it is suggested that people attend based on the first initial of their last name: A-E: 7-8 a.m. F-K: 8-9 a.m. L-Q: 9-10 a.m. R-U 10-11 a.m. V-Z: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. This event is partially funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

This is the first time that the county is running this type of event, as in the past it would be hosted by the Montgomery Otsego Schoharie Solid Waste Authority (MOSA). In May 2014, when MOSA was dissolved, Montgomery County took over its own solid waste operations.