Ocean County will accept household hazardous waste at collection points in five towns beginning May 17.

"This is an excellent opportunity for residents to safely rid their homes of chemicals, pesticides motor oil and other hazardous wastes," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the county's recycling program.

County residents can bring up to 200 pounds of dry material and 20 gallons of liquid – in containers no larger than five gallons – to any of the following locations:
· May 17 – Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Parking Lot, Arnold Avenue and Ocean Avenue from 11 am to 5 pm.
· May 18 – Brick Township Drum Point Sports Complex, 41 Drum Point Road from 11 am to 5 pm.
· May 19 – Jackson Township Public Works Garage, 10 Don Connor Boulevard from 9 am to 3 pm.
· May 25 – Berkeley Township Public Works Garage, Pinewald-Keswick Road from 11 am to 5 pm.
· May 26 – Stafford Township Public Works Garage, 320 Haywood Road from 9 am to 3 pm.

The collection is free but registration is required. All registration is on a first-come first-served basis. Call 732-367-0802 for Point Pleasant Beach and Berkeley; 732-506-5047 for Brick and Jackson and 609-978-0913 for Stafford.

Hazardous waste will be accepted from residents only. Waste from businesses, school boards or government agencies will not be accepted.

Materials accepted include: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.

All of the materials except for oil and gasoline must be in the original containers.

"Last year we collected nearly 175,000 pounds of household hazardous waste," Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said. "This program helps ensure that these dangerous materials are disposed of properly with no danger to our residents or the environment."