Smithtown Residents Turn In More Than 100,000 Pounds Of Hazardous Waste

SMITHTOWN, NY — Smithtown residents helped keep nearly 51 tons of hazardous materials out of the regular waste stream in 2026, with more than 2,000 households participating in the town's annual collection program, officials announced.

The town collected 101,900 pounds of household hazardous waste during three collection events held in April, July and October.

The final event, held Oct. 3, at the Municipal Services Facility in Kings Park, drew 617 households and collected 19,820 pounds, or 9.91 tons, of hazardous materials.

"Year after year, Smithtown residents continue to demonstrate how seriously they take their responsibility to protect our environment and our community," Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said. "More than 50 tons of potentially dangerous material was safely removed from homes and kept out of our regular waste stream this year."

Wehrheim said the effort reflected residents' commitment to protecting drinking water, neighborhoods, parks and waterways. He also thanked town employees and partners who helped organize the collection events.

Materials collected throughout the year included mercury, oil-based paints, gasoline, paint thinners, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, corrosive chemicals, lithium batteries, battery acids and other potentially hazardous substances.

The October event also featured a special initiative encouraging residents to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks and mercury-containing devices.

Reworld distributed $5 Dunkin' gift cards to residents who recycled qualifying materials. Officials said 36 propane tanks were recovered during the October collection.

"Household hazardous waste requires special handling for a reason," said Michael P. Engelmann, the town's 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."

The town reported the following collection totals for 2026:

• April 18: 806 households; 62,760 pounds collected.
• July 11: 581 households; 19,320 pounds collected.
• Oct. 3: 617 households; 19,820 pounds collected.
• Annual total: 2,004 households; 101,900 pounds, or 50.95 tons.

Town officials credited staff from the Municipal Services Facility, Public Safety Fire Marshals, the Department of Environment and Waterways, the Supervisor's Office, Reworld and hazardous waste contractor Radiac for helping conduct the events.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides reimbursement for up to 50 percent of eligible program costs, according to the town.

2027 Collection Dates

Smithtown has tentatively scheduled three household hazardous waste collection events for next year:

• Saturday, April 17, 2027
• Saturday, July 10, 2027
• Saturday, Oct. 9, 2027

The dates will also be included in the town's 2027 recycling calendar, which is expected to be delivered to households this winter.

Free Paper Shredding Event Set For Oct. 17

Residents can also participate in the town's free paper shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Municipal Services Facility, located at 85 Old Northport Road in Kings Park.

The town also accepts electronic waste, including computers, printers, televisions, monitors and batteries, for free recycling at the facility.

Free mulch is available to residents, with a limit of 10 prepackaged bags per visit. Loose mulch can also be loaded into pickup trucks or dump trucks, provided the vehicles have appropriate covers.

The Municipal Services Facility is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.