CANFIELD Hazardous materials drop-off set

Oil-based paint will be accepted, but water-based paint will not.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County Recycling Division will collect hazardous household materials for disposal May 8 at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
Items to be collected include oil-based paints and varnishes, paint thinners, pesticides, propane gas tanks and lead-acid batteries. Gasoline, used motor oil and other fuel products also will be accepted, said Timothy Berlekamp, executive director.
He said those are items that are difficult to get rid of for most people. Dumping them down a drain or into the trash can be harmful to the environment.
Any type of explosive materials, ammunition, tires or scrap metal will not be accepted during the one-day drive, Berlekamp said.
Latex paint, which is water-based, also will not be accepted. Visitors to the recycling drive, however, will be given a free packet of latex paint hardener. Once the crystals are mixed with latex paint, the paint can be included with standard trash collection items.
Following a schedule
Because of the anticipated high volume of participation, residents are asked to bring their recyclable items to the drop-off site during specific hours, based on their last name.
People whose last name begins with the letters A-F should bring their items between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Drop-off time is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for those whose last name begins with G-N, and 1-3 p.m. for people whose last name begins with O-Z.
The drop-off site will be at the fairgrounds' dairy barn, which can be accessed by entering through Gate 9, off state Route 46.
People with questions about the acceptability of certain items can call the recycling division at (330) 740-2060.
bjackson@vindy.com