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How Do I Get Rid Of

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1. How do I get rid of electronic items?

Electronic items are picked up by Public Works. Call HamStat Call Center at 609-586-0311 to arrange for a pick up of electronic items such as:

• Televisions
• Computer equipment
• Printers
• Monitors
• Scanners
• Speakers
• Fax machines

Or submit a citizen service request under "Electronic Pick Up".

Place item curbside by 7:30 am on the Monday following your request, and Public Works will pick it up during the week. These items may also be dropped off at the Ecological Facility. The Ecological Facility will have a drop-off box to collect old cell phones.

• E-cycle NJ
• Options for Large or Heavy Electronic Items 
• MCIA Hazardous Waste Collection and Electronics Recycling Events (PDF)

2. How do I get rid of refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners?

Freon

Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, and Freezers are picked up curbside by Public Works. All doors must be removed.

To arrange for a pickup, submit a citizen service request (select "Freon/Metal Pick Up") or call HamStat at 609-586-0311 and you will be placed on a list for pickup. Pick-up will occur the week following your request. Place the item curbside by 7:30 am on the Monday following your request, and Public Works will pick it up one day during that week. Items may also be dropped off at the Ecological Facility.

If your refrigerator or freezer is in working condition and greater than 10 cubic feet in size, visit the New Jersey Refrigerator / Freezer Recycling Program where you can receive $50 for your refrigerator or freezer.

3. How do I get rid of a riding lawn mower?

All of the oil and gas must be drained from the riding lawn mower. Once drained, contact the HamStat Call Center at 609-586-0311 to arrange for a curbside metal (white goods) pick up by Public Works.

4. How do I get rid of metal items (white goods)?

Metal items such as:

• Hot water heaters 
• Stoves
• Washers
• Dryers
• Cast iron bathtubs
• Sinks
• Dishwashers
• Microwave ovens
• Lawnmowers
• Grills

are picked up curbside by Public Works.

To arrange for a pickup, submit a citizen service request (select "Freon/Metal Pick Up) or call HamStat at 609-586-0311 and you will be placed on a list for pickup. Pick-up will occur the week following your request for a pickup. Place the item curbside by 7:30 am on the Monday following your request, and Public Works will pick it up one day during that week. Items may also be dropped off at the Ecological Facility.

5. How do I dispose of old x-rays?

X-rays can be dropped off at the facility where they were taken or can be dropped off at the radiology department at RWJ at Hamilton; call 609-584-6611 for the file room at RWJ).

6. How do I dispose of fire extinguishers?

You can take your fire extinguisher to Continental Fire and Safety located at:
2740 Kuser Road
Hamilton NJ 08691
Phone: 609-588-0096
Toll Free: 800-313-1846

Throw away small (18 inches or less) cylinder fire extinguishers, which must be empty, in your household trash. To empty, put the extinguisher in two heavy-duty plastic bags, such as contractor bags. Then, fold over the top of the bags to seal them and step on the seal with your foot to be sure it stays closed. Grab the lever through the bag with your hand and squeeze slowly to let out all the contents. Then tie the bags tightly and throw it out in your trash.

Dispose of aerosol extinguishers in the household trash. Aerosol extinguishers differ from traditional cylinder fire extinguishers - the fire suppressant is in an aerosol can, much like hair spray and spray paint.

7. How do I dispose of kerosene?

Kerosene can be taken to Mercer County Improvement Authority's (MCIA) Chemical and Electronics Waste Disposal Day. Events will be held at the Dempster Fire School located at 350 Lawrence Station Road on:

• March 25, 2023
• June 10, 2023
• September 23, 2023

Events are from 8 am to 2 pm. View a list of additional accepted materials.

There are strict COVID-19 protocol residents must follow:

• Limit of one person per vehicle
• All residents must remain in vehicle at all times with their windows closed
• Disposal items must be placed in the trunk or back of vehicle cannot be in passenger seat
• Containers will not be returned

8. How do I dispose of my Christmas tree?

Every year in January, Public Works collects Christmas trees. It starts on January 3, 2023. Hamilton residents place their Christmas Trees  curbside and Public Works will pick-up and dispose of the trees. Flocked trees are accepted.

As part of the service, residents are asked the following:

• Remove all decorations, ornaments, tinsel, wires, nails, etc.
• Do not place trees in plastic bags
• Allow up to 2 weeks for pick up

Hamilton residents can also dispose of Christmas trees at the Township's Ecological Facility, which is located on Kuser Road, on weekdays between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm and on Saturdays between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm. The Township Ecological Facility offers this drop-off service free-of-charge to Hamilton residents; however, any commercial vehicles that drop off Christmas trees will be charged a fee.

For questions regarding Christmas tree collection, residents can call HamStat at 609-586-0311 between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm.

9. How do I get rid of a couch?

A couch may be placed out for bulk collection on the 2nd scheduled trash day of the week for bulk pick up. (Maximum of 3 bulk items on the 2nd trash day.)

10. How do I get rid of a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers can either be dropped off at the Ecological Facility or can be scheduled for a curbside metal/white goods pick up for Public Works.

11. How do I get rid of a fence?

Fences would be considered a bulk item. For chain link fences please call HAMStat at 609-586-0311 to arrange a metal pickup or drop it off at the ecological facility located at 1360 Kuser Road. All concrete must be removed.

For Wood Fences: Cut into 4 feet in length, bundled and tied, weighing less then 50 pounds, nails must be removed or bent. Maximum of 3 bundles each 2nd trash day. Work done by contractors will not be taken.

12. How do I get rid of a fiberglass hot tub?

The hot tub must be cut down into 4 foot lengths weighing no more than 50 pounds. This is considered a bulk pick up item and must be placed curbside on your second garbage collection day (Thursday, Friday or Saturday).

13. How do I get rid of a large amount of cooking grease?

For disposal of large quantity of cooking grease, contact a cooking grease recycler. Companies that provide this service are:

• Valley Proteins Inc.: 540-877-2590
• Restaurant Technologies Inc.: 610-494-7827
• Darling International: 800-842-5927

14. How do I get rid of a mattress and box spring?

A mattress and a box spring may go out on the 2nd regular garbage day of the week for bulk pick up (maximum of 3 bulk items on the 2nd day).

15. How do I get rid of a pallet?

• Wood products (doors, paneling, plywood, pressboard, pallets) are considered a bulk item (maximum of 3 bulk items on 2nd garbage day of week)
• Cut into 4 feet lengths, bundled and tied, weighing less than 50 pounds
• Nails and screws must be removed
• Work by contractors will not be taken

16. How do i get rid of a piano?

Pianos must be taken apart and broken down under 50 pounds. 3 pieces of the piano may be placed out on the 2nd regular trash day of the week (3 bulk items is the maximum).

17. How do I get rid of a satellite dish?

Satellite dishes can be put out on 2nd garbage day of the week as bulk item.

18. How do I get rid of a toilet?

A toilet goes out on the 2nd trash day of the week for bulk collection. No bags or box. Maximum of 3 bulk items on the 2nd trash day.

19. How do I get rid of an American flag?

The mailbox is located in Veteran's Park in front of the Public Works Maintenance Building. The building is situated near the Kuser Road entrance to the park.

Once a year the Mercer County Division of Veteran Services partners with local veterans from American Legion Post 31 and the Hamilton Township Patriotic Committee to hold the "flag retirement" ceremony. The official decommissioning ceremony is usually held in June.

American flags that are tattered, soiled or otherwise "unfit for display" will be burned in a dignified manor in a pit in the ground during the ceremony.

20. How do I get rid of asbestos shingles?

If resident is doing the work themselves, they must first contact Jonathan Holmes at MCIA by calling 609-278-8083. There are many regulations that the resident must conform to and Jonathan will go over all of them with the resident.

If no one answers the phone at the provided number, leave a message and Jonathan will return the call.

21. How do I get rid of batteries?

• Household batteries may be placed in your normal trash due to the fact that mercury levels have been significantly reduced and fall with Department of Environmental Protection standards.
• Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at one of the Rechargeable Battery Drop Off Locations.
• Car batteries can be dropped off at MCIA's Household Hazardous Waste and Used Electronics Collection Event held on March 25, June 10 and September 23,  from 8 am to 2 pm at John T. Dempster Fire School.
• Car batteries can also be taken to the Ecological Facility.

For more information on how to dispose of or recycle batteries go to the Call2Recycle website.

22. How do I get rid of blacktop?

Must contact disposal company of your choice to make an arrangement. Blacktop is no longer accepted at curbside or the Ecological Facility.

23. How do I get rid of car batteries?

Car batteries can be taken to the Ecological Facility.

They can also be taken to MCIA's Household Chemical and Electronics Waste Disposal Day (PNG) held at Dempster Fire School.

24. How do I get rid of concrete/cinder blocks/bricks?

Concrete is not accepted at the Ecological Facility or curbside for garbage. For concrete disposal, contact Vinch at 609-883-3644. There is a fee to dump concrete.

25. How do I get rid of grass clippings?

Grass clippings can be placed curbside on your regular trash day in bags or containers. (Not in cardboard boxes.) Bags and containers can weigh no more than 50 pounds. Containers must have handles.

Central Jersey Waste will take as many bags as they can on the first scheduled collection day. As long as additional bags are not added, they will pick up the rest on your second regularly scheduled collection day.

Grass Clippings may also be dropped off at the Ecological Facility.

26. How do I get rid of hay?

Hay may not be dropped off at the Ecological Facility. It must be placed in bags or containers, not to weigh more than 50 pounds and placed out on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day.

27. How do I get rid of ice melt/salt?

MCIA has advised this is considered non-toxic and can go in regular household garbage.

28. How do I get rid of light bulbs?

• Fluorescent and CFL bulbs can be taken to MCIA's Household Hazardous Waste Day (PNG)
  • Events are from 8 am to 2 pm, March 25, 2023, June 10, 2023, September 23, 2023
• Home Depot and Lowe's also has a drop off box for CFLs and halogen light bulbs
• Incandescent and LED light bulbs can be put in regular household garbage

29. How do I get rid of nails?

Nails can be taken to the Ecological Facility where they can be thrown in the metal dumpster.

30. How do I get rid of paint?

Water-based or latex paint is not a hazardous waste and therefore can be included with household garbage, however not in liquid form. Remove lids and fill cans with absorbent material such as sand or kitty litter and completely dry out. Containers of dried latex paint (without lids) can be placed curbside or in tightly sealed plastic bags on your 2nd trash day of the week.

Oil or lead based paint must be taken to MCIA's Household Chemical and Electronics Waste Disposal Day.  Events will be held at the Dempster Fire School located at 350 Lawrence Station Road, March 25, 2023, June 10, 2023, September 23, 2023. Events are from 8 am to 2 pm.

For a list of additional materials that are accepted, view a helpful infographic from the MCIA (PNG).

There are strict COVID-19 protocol residents must follow:

• Limit of one person per vehicle
• All residents must remain in vehicle at all times with their windows closed
• Disposal items must be placed in the trunk or back of vehicle cannot be in passenger seat
• Containers will not be returned

31. How do I get rid of used medical equipment?

Goodwill Home Medical Equipment collects, sanitizes, refurbishes and sells gently used, durable medical equipment and unopened medical supplies at affordable prices

32. How do I get rid of...?

For a list of items with directions on the correct way to get rid of them view our 2022 Guide (PDF).

33. What is the proper way to dispose of prescription drugs?

Guidelines for Proper Disposal

Project Medicine Drop accepts solid pharmaceuticals such as pills, capsules, patches, inhalers and pet medications seven days a week, 365 days a year. The boxes are located within the headquarters of participating police departments and are highly visible with the "Project Medicine Drop" logo. Syringes or liquids are not accepted. A drop box is located at the Hamilton Police Station. Visit the Project Medicine Drop Locator and scroll down to Mercer County to find additional locations.

If a drug take back or collection program is not available follow these steps to properly dispose of your prescription drugs:

1. Keep medicine in original container. Mark out personal information on prescription bottles by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off.
2. Mix liquid medicine with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter, dirt or used coffee grinds. Dilute pills with water, then add coffee grinds, cat litter or dirt.
3. Place bottles in an opaque container, like a yogurt container or an empty margarine tub. Secure lid or wrap in a dark colored plastic bag.
4. Hide the container in the trash. Do not recycle.

34. How can I safely dispose of syringes?

This applies to Home Generated Medical Waste only.

Physicians
Ask your physician if they will take your used syringes once they are properly placed in a container.

Household Waste
Follow these steps to safely dispose of your syringes in your municipal trash. Your syringes must be placed in rigid containers that will protect people from needle sticks and use containers that are unlikely to break open on their way to the landfill.

• Rigid Container You may use empty laundry detergent bottles or 2-liter soda "pop" bottles or other rigid containers with screw-on caps to dispose of needles and syringes. Check with pharmacy. Ask if it sells commercial containers specially designed to hold sharps for disposal in your household trash.
• Label / Warning Place a large label with a warning on the empty container. Example: Syringes-Do Not Recycle
• Needle Clipper Clip the Needle. You can buy an inexpensive handheld needle clipper from the pharmacy. Using anything other than a clipper to break a needle is not safe. After clipping the needle, carefully place each of your used needles and syringes into a plastic bottle with a screw-on-lid. To the extent practicable, the individual receiving the medical treatment should clip the needle and syringe and place them in the container. In cases where this cannot be done due to the limitations of that individual, and a family care giver or volunteer must perform this activity, it is recommended that the individual's physician be consulted first.
• Seal Seal the bottle tightly with its original lid and wrap duct tape over the lid after you fill the bottle with syringes.
• Disposal You may now dispose of the tightly sealed full container of syringes in your household garbage-NOT in your recycling bin. Remember, although you may feel healthy, your used syringes can transmit germs. In addition, loose syringes thrown in your trash can seriously hurt people. We all benefit from the safe disposal of syringes. Please do your part to help keep our environment clean and safe.

35. Where can I donate my used eyeglasses?

Below is a link of locations to donate your used eyeglasses. 

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