Longford residents urged to dispose of their household hazardous waste

The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices and Longford County Council are teaming up to host a free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, August 23,  from 10am to 2pm at the Lower Car Park, Pearse Park, Longford (Entry Point via Rugby Club Road).

Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County Council said, “Household hazardous waste poses genuine risks when it enters our waterways or contaminates soil through incorrect disposal. This collection event removes barriers for residents – it’s free of charge with no complicated procedures, it makes responsible waste management simple. When hazardous materials end up in general waste, it can create pollution problems. I would encourage people throughout County Longford to avail of this great opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous materials."

Martin O’Gorman, Technical Support Officer at the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices added: 

“Improper disposal of hazardous waste poses serious risks to both our health and the environment. The aim of this household hazardous waste collection initiative is to make the disposing process simple and convenient for householders to safely get rid of these harmful materials. It’s vital that hazardous products are kept out of the general waste bin and handled responsibly.”

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 This vital initiative is  funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

This initiative lets you safely bid goodbye to those lingering products tucked away under the sink or gathering dust in the shed. Think leftover paint tins, harsh cleaning chemicals, bleach, garden herbicides, and forgotten aerosol cans - gone in one clean sweep, with peace of mind.

Throwing hazardous items like bleach, paints, or aerosol cans into your general waste bin or pouring them down the drain can have serious consequences. These substances can contaminate our soil and water sources, harming wildlife and potentially entering our drinking water supply. They can also pose risks to waste collection workers and cause dangerous chemical reactions or even fires in waste facilities. This free collection day provides a safe, responsible, and environmentally sound alternative.

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Just remember to bring items in their original containers with legible original labels.  For a complete list of accepted materials, visit www.mywaste.ie.

What You Can Bring (Household Items ONLY):

The collection day will accept household items that contain potentially harmful components. Please ONLY bring the following:

• Household Chemicals: Disinfectants, detergents, bleach, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and other potent cleaning agents

• Personal Care Products: Nail polish, nail polish remover, aerosols, and other chemical-based cosmetic products
• Garden Chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, and other chemical treatments used in lawn and garden care
• Paints: Leftover paint and paint related products such as paintbrushes and rollers.
• Solvents: Varnishes, thinners, strippers, inks, glues, resins, and other solvent-based products
• Automotive Products: Used motor oil, petrol, diesel, antifreeze, surface polish, and other automotive fluids

Important Reminders:

• This collection is for household hazardous waste only. Commercial/farm waste CANNOT be accepted
• Medicines, medical waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and gas canisters will not be accepted
• There's a 10 can/tub limit per customer for leftover paint
• There’s a 25 litre per customer limit for motor oil
• Please plan your visit accordingly, as materials cannot be left outside of the opening hours from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday
• Opening hours are dependent on capacity limits to maintain safety and operational efficiency