FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

CONTACT:

Nick Breault

Executive Secretary

Town of East Longmeadow

Phone (413) 525-5400 ext. 420

Fax (413) 525-1025

REGISTRATION DATES AND TIMES ANNOUNCED FOR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND UNWANTED MEDICATION COLLECTION DAY __________________________________________________________

The Board of Selectmen today announced that September 6, 7, and 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. are the dates and times residents may reserve a time slot for the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste and Unwanted Medication Collection Day. The telephone number to make an appointment during these dates and times only is (413) 525-5400 ext. 420. This event will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Wilbraham at the Minnechaug Regional High School parking lot. The event is a regional one with participation from East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham.

Each town has a limited number of slots for their residents and appointments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. The volume of hazardous waste collected is important to the billing process and neighbors are encouraged to pool it so there is a minimum of 7 gallons per car. Unwanted medications do not need to be pooled, and there is no requested minimum volume to participate.

Registration for the event will be taken by East Longmeadow and participating communities on September 6, 7 and 8, ONLY according to the following schedule:

East Longmeadow… 525-5400 ext. 420 (9:00 AM – 12 PM)

Hampden…............ 566-2152 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Longmeadow…..... 567-3400 (9:00 AM – 12 PM)

Ludlow…............ 583-5625 ext. 17 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Wilbraham….......... 596-2814 (8:30 AM – 12 PM)

Special features of the collection event will include a propane tank collection, a thermometer exchange and a collection of unwanted medications.

Unwanted medications include prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and pet medications. The medications will be collected for no cost as part of an EPA grant coordinated by the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) and sponsored by the Bay State Medical Center.

Propane tanks (grill size only) will be collected for a small fee. There will also be a thermometer exchange program for those who would like to exchange their mercury thermometer for a new digital one at no charge.

Please note: Latex paint is not hazardous waste and will not be accepted at this event.

For more information, please call the numbers listed above.

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