North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth is proud to announce the first enhanced Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P.) program will be held April 11th at Michael J. Tully Park from 9:30am until 3:00pm.

The S.T.O.P. program offers Town of North Hempstead residents the opportunity to dispose of dangerous and chemical waste that is too dangerous to dispose of with routine curbside pickups. Residents can return items such as aerosols, household chemicals, pesticides, disinfectants, fertilizers, bulbs, thermostats, rechargeable and lithium batteries, TV’s, and computers. Please bring oil-based paints only. Latex and water-based paints, once dried out (usually 24-36 hours after the lid is removed) can be placed in a trash bag and thrown out with your regular household garbage. Latex and water-based paints will not be accepted at the S.T.O.P. collection site. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, are considered hazardous, and will be accepted at any S.T.O.P. Collection Day program.

Residents may also bring their sensitive documents to the S.T.O.P. event for proper shredding and destruction to prevent identity theft. Any documents brought will be shredded on site by a document shredding company and then transported to a pulping mill for recycling. There is a maximum of six Bankers Box-sized boxes of paper waste accepted per vehicle per day.

The Town of North Hempstead S.T.O.P. program will be continuing its partnership with the Nassau County Police Department in its drug take pack program, which was the first program of its kind to be offered in Nassau County. Residents who need to dispose of unused prescription or over-the-counter drugs may bring those pharmaceuticals with them to the program for destruction. Police sources report that half of all teens who abuse prescription painkiller do so with drugs they found in their house. This program will help to keep North Hempstead families safer from drug abuse issues, and keep our waters clean. In over seven years, North Hempstead has diverted over 7 tons of unwanted drugs from ending up in landfills and in the drinking water, a huge accomplishment that makes residents safer. Sharps or needles will not be accepted.

The April 11th S.T.O.P. event will also have a clothing donation area thanks to North Hempstead’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters will be collecting gently used and working clothes, stuffed animals, electronics, toys, sporting equipment, shoes, books, small area rugs, bikes, scooters, luggage, picture frames, table lamps, bolts of fabric, silverware, glassware, dishes, and cosmetics. Each resident will receive a receipt for their donation for income tax purposes.

“Improper disposal of dangerous waste continues to present threats to our health and our environment. Now, new state law requires that citizens dispose of waste responsibly, particularly electronic waste. We are committed to offered convenient and environmentally responsible options for members of the North Hempstead community to dispose of their dangerous chemicals, electronics, sensitive documents, pharmaceuticals, and clothes” said Supervisor Bosworth about the S.T.O.P. program.

The first S.T.O.P. event of 2015 will be April 11 at Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park. Tully Park will also host S.T.O.P. events on May 17 and September 12. North Hempstead Beach Park will host S.T.O.P. events on June 20, and November 8. All collection events will begin at 9:30am and will end at 3pm.

People with questions about S.T.O.P. events are encouraged to call Town Hall by dialing 311 from within the Town, or (516)869-6311 from outside the Town.

Supervisor Bosworth at a S.T.O.P. event last year.