Photo: Rick Lanier / iStock / Getty Images
Schenectady County residents can now register for a free household hazardous waste collection event set for Saturday, April 4, at SUNY Schenectady on Washington Avenue. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., providing locals with a safe way to dispose of unwanted hazardous chemicals from their homes, including paint, lawn and garden chemicals, and some automotive fluids.
According to NEWS10, the Schenectady County Legislature announced that space is limited and registration is required. Residents can sign up through the county website or by calling (518)-388-4775. Only residential household waste will be accepted—no materials from businesses, institutions, or nonprofits.
The collection will take place in the back parking lot of SUNY Schenectady. Participants must enter via ramps off State Street, while the Washington Avenue entrance will be used for exiting only. Organizers request that items be brought in their original containers with original labels if possible.
Raj Ishmael, chair of the Environmental Conservation, Renewable Energy & Parks Committee, said, "This program gives Schenectady County residents a safe and convenient way to dispose of hazardous household items. By taking advantage of this free service, residents can help protect our environment and ensure these materials are handled and disposed of properly," as reported by NEWS10.
Residents seeking to recycle paint outside the event may visit a local PaintCare drop-off site. Details are available on the PaintCare website.
In 2025, the county collected over 17,000 gallons of liquid materials and more than 13,000 pounds of solids at similar events, including over 7,000 gallons of paint. For further information on hazardous waste programs, visit the Schenectady County website.