During the spring cleaning season, there are several opportunities for local residents to dispose of unwanted paint, cleaning supplies, old medications and other unwanted items.
To get rid of unwanted prescription drugs, residents can drop them off at the following four permanent drop-off sites: McKean County Sheriff’s Office, 17013 U.S Route 6, Smethport, 814-887-3454; Bradford City Police Department, 18 Kennedy St., 814-368-6133; Bradford Township office, 136 Hemlock Street, 814-362-4640; and Kane Borough Police Department, 112 Bayard St., 814-837-6440.
Medication drop-off is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at all four locations.
The drop-off locations are part of the McKean County Prescription Drug Take Back Program headed by the McKean County District Attorney’s office.
Officials said unwanted medications should not be thrown in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. The drug residue can pollute groundwater and streams. Proper disposal of medications is also one important step in preventing abuse and the possibility of medications falling into the wrong hands.
For household hazardous waste, there will be a collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 at the McKean County Fairgrounds in Smethport.
There is a cost per pound, which varies by item or material. Pre-registration is required for the event, and pricing will be determined upon registration. To register, call 814-425-7773 or visit the website www.ecsr.net. Under Residential Services, click on Collection Registration and enter the necessary information.
ECS&R will accept cash, check or credit card as payment, which is due the day of the event after all items are accounted for. Pricing for items is listed under McKean County event.
Accepted items include the following: Household chemicals — $1.50/pound for oil-based/latex paint, deck stains, flammable liquids, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, fertilizers, antifreeze, oil, putties, glues, adhesives, wood/metal finishing products, water sealers, household cleaning agents, herbicides and pesticides; electronic waste (E-Waste) — $0.45/pound for all tube/CRT TVs and monitors, desktop computers, laptops, TVs (CRT/non-CRT), VCRs, phones, irons, 8 tracks, DVD players, game consoles; $0.25/pound for all non-CRT devices; bulbs — $1.47/pound for incandescent, fluorescent, neon and infrared; batteries — $1.47/pound for car, motorcycle, alkaline (AAA, AA, C, D) and button cells; and small freon containing devices — $0.52/pound.
Anyone with questions is asked to contact recycling director Justin Lund at the McKean County Conservation District in Smethport at 814-887-4017.
