DEF will be hosting it's first Household Recycling Day (HRD) on April 23rd, 9 am to 3 pm, at FDR State Park! After a successful event in 2021, DEF will be returning to FDR State Park and accepting old medications, chemicals, electronics and other materials from County Residents. Last year, DEF hosted 4 HRD events across the County and welcomed over 2500 residents. We hope to see you at our first event on April 23rd and future events! Future events will be listed on the Westchester County events calendar.
If you cannot make an HRD event, you can visit DEF's Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) located on the Grasslands Campus at 15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY. The permanent facility accepts the same items as the HRDs and is open year-round. Household hazardous waste and other items worthy of special handling are accepted from Westchester County residents on an appointment-only basis.
At HRDs, service works on a first-come-first-served basis, and in extreme weather when working conditions are deemed unsafe, events may be cancelled or terminated early. The Mobile Shredder is available at all HRDs, but be advised that on occasion the Mobile Shredder unit can reach its maximum capacity for paper shredding before closing time. Although infrequent, residents should be aware of this and open minded of the possibility of an early closure. On the day of an event, residents can call the County's Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425 to check on a cancellation or early closure.
Follow these simple rules:
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Remember to close all bags and bottles tightly.
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All chemicals must be in original or labeled containers.
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Place all chemicals in a sturdy box and in the trunk of your car.
There is no fee, but pre-registration is required for 100 pounds or more of solid material or 25 gallons or more of liquid. To pre-register, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.
The following items are collected at the events:
Properly labeled household chemicals, including-
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Most automotive fluids – antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
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Common household cleaners
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Flammable liquids – kerosene, butane, charcoal fluid, turpentine
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Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes, and wood preservatives
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Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, photographic and swimming pool chemicals
Propane tanks (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pound tanks)
Batteries – only auto, rechargeable and button cell types
Household appliances with Freon – air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifier
Mercury thermometers and thermostats
E-waste – items related to communications, including TVs, computers, monitors and related accessories, printers, fax machines, cell phones, radios, stereos, and speakers
Car tires (maximum 10)
Expired or unused pharmaceuticals – both prescription and over the counter
The items below are not accepted. For disposal information, call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.
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Paint - Latex – harden paint and put it out with the household trash in solid form. Air dry and use kitty litter or waste paint hardener. Exception: Rye Brook, White Plains and Yorktown residents must dispose of empty or hardened paint cans on bulk pick-up days.
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Non-rechargeable batteries – discard with household trash
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Motor oil – take to service station or motor oil retail outlet
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Compressed gas cylinders – helium and oxygen tanks
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Smoke and fire detectors – discard with household trash
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Explosives – flares, fireworks, ammunition
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Medical waste – hypodermic needles
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Construction and demolition debris – materials from home improvement and construction projects (e.g. drywall, wood, pipes, fixtures)
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Materials from commercial and institutional users