Smithtown households participate in final event of hazardous waste collection program
The Town of Smithtown recently wrapped up its 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection program, with 617 Smithtown households participating in the final collection event of the year on Saturday, October 3, at the Municipal Services Facility in Kings Park.
During this month’s event alone, the town collected 19,820 pounds of hazardous household material for safe disposal. Combined with collection events held earlier this year, Smithtown residents diverted 101,900 pounds (nearly 51 tons) of hazardous material from the residential waste stream during 2026.
“Household hazardous waste requires special handling for a reason,” said Michael Engelmann, solid waste coordinator. “Every battery, container of gasoline, chemical, pesticide or propane tank that residents bring to these events is one less potentially dangerous item entering the curbside waste stream or our environment.”
Materials collected for manifested disposal included mercury, oil-based and flammable paints, gasoline, paint thinners, waste gases, petroleum distillates, flammable solids, liquid and solid oxidizers, sodium and potassium nitrates, acids, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, toxic liquids and solids, lacquers, lithium batteries, battery acids and various other potentially hazardous compounds.
Educational and recycling information was also provided by the town’s Department of Environment and Waterways to residents interested in learning more about proper disposal, recycling and environmental protection.
Town officials also recognized the dedicated efforts of Municipal Services Facility staff, Public Safety Fire Marshals, Department of Environment and Waterways personnel, the supervisor’s office, Reworld and hazardous waste contractor Radiac for their service throughout the event.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides reimbursement for up to 50 percent of eligible Household Hazardous Waste program costs.
