SEVENTH S.T.O.P. AND ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION DAY

Special Drug Collection Also Scheduled

The seventh of eight 2010 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal  programs (S.T.O.P.-Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) and Electronic Waste Collection days for Oyster Bay Town residents is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, according to Town Councilman Joseph D. Muscarella, who noted that a special collection program for prescription and over-the-counter drugs will also take place the same day and at the same location.

"The collection day, which is open only to Town of Oyster Bay residents, will be held at Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.," Councilman Muscarella stated. "Residents who would like further information can call 677-5943.

"The Town has an informative brochure about the S.T.O.P. and Electronic Waste Collection programs, including a list of what can be disposed of through both programs and the schedule of collection days and locations for 2010," Councilman Muscarella continued. "Any resident or organization interested in obtaining a free brochure should call or write the Town of Oyster Bay Public Information Office, Oyster Bay Town Hall East, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771 (624-6380). A copy can also be downloaded from the Town's Web site, www.oysterbaytown.com.

"The S.T.O.P. program, which provides residents with an environmentally safe means for disposal of household hazardous waste, is now in its 25th year," Councilman Muscarella said. "This is the seventh year for the Electronic Waste Collection program, and the Town of Oyster Bay is the first Town on Long Island to have a regularly scheduled e-waste program. Up until the inception of the program, which was kicked off in April 2004, all e-waste in the Town had been hauled away and disposed of with the regular garbage. Now, the Town is offering residents a convenient and environmentally friendly way to recycle their e-waste. Under the program, the Town accepts computer monitors and hard drives, printers, keyboards, mice and cables, copiers and fax machines, cell phones, pagers, VCRs and stereos. A company specializing in e-waste recycling will collect the items and recycle the components, thereby ensuring that they will not end up in a landfill or incinerator."

Councilman Muscarella noted that the drug collection program, which is being held in cooperation with the Nassau County Police Department, is for expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. The program is only for solid medications, such as pills and capsules; no liquids will be accepted. The medications should be brought to the program in original containers. All confidential information should be removed, leaving only the name of the medication. The containers will be collected in special bins. At the end of the collection program, the police will take the drugs to be incinerated.

The Councilman noted that eighth and final S.T.O.P./Electronic Waste Collection for 2010 will be held on Sunday, November 14, Town of Oyster Bay Department of Public Works Garage, 150 Miller Place, Syosset. Residents can call 677-5943 if they have any questions.