Administration
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Berks County Residents Only
Spring Event Fall Event
Shillington, PA 19607 Leesport, PA 19533
Rain or Shine
These events are FREE to all Berks County residents. Preregistration is required.
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste is any household product which is labeled:
Caution, Danger, Flammable, Explosive, Toxic, Warning, Corrosive, Poison, Volatile or a combination of these characteristics. Look for warning or skull and crossbones on the label.
Why Collect Household Hazardous Waste?
These collection days are intended to provide Berks County residents with a responsible way to dispose of old, unusable and unwanted hazardous products.
Throwing them away or pouring them out pollutes air and water.
How to Bring Materials to the Collection Site?
- Do not mix the materials
- Secure lids tightly. Place leaking containers inside larger ones.
- Bring materials in original containers with labels, if possible
- If not in original labeled container, please label container used.
Acceptable Materials:
Oil Paints
Turpentine, wood preservatives, paint thinners and solvents, oil based paints, varnishes and stains.
Outdoors
Weed killers, pesticides, asphalt & driveway sealants, pool chemicals, herbicides & fungicides.
Automotive
Antifreeze, gasoline, transmission oil, motor oil, automotive paints, finishes, and cleaning solvents.
Household
Solvents, disinfectants, oven cleaners, button batteries, photo chemicals, polish, lithium batteries, fluorescent bulbs
Do not bring:
- Absolutely no Latex Paint will be accepted.
- Joint & caulking compound
- Organic peroxides
- Gas cylinders
- Explosives & ammunition
- Radioactive waste
- Infectious or medical waste
- Water-based sealants
- Paint: latex, water-based, or acrylic will not be accepted.
Dry paint can go in trash safely:
- If there is less than an inch of paint in the can, remove the lid and air dry.
- If there is more than an inch of paint in the can, mix the paint with cat litter and let it solidify. You can also use a paint hardener according to directions.
- Throw the can of dried paint in the garbage. Remove the lid, but do not take the paint out of the can.
- Dry paint can go in the regular trash. Follow these steps to get rid of it safely