OXFORD: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) And Paint Collection Day

 

OXFORD (NEW HAVEN COUNTY) CT: A Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection Day is scheduled for the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Bristol, Cheshire, Derby, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury for Saturday, July 18 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

The event will be held at the Crosby High School, 300 Pierpont Rd in Waterbury. The collection starts promptly at 8:00 A.M. There is no need to line up before 8:00 A.M.

There is no charge to residents. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill, or other identification, is required for entrance. The event is sponsored by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and participating towns.

COVID-19 Event Restrictions:

• Residents disposing of materials must wear a mask and remain in their vehicle
• Only one family member per vehicle
• Collection materials for disposal must be placed in the rear compartment of vehicle, not passenger compartment.
• Containers will not be returned (No ‘pour offs’)

Household hazardous wastes are any wastes produced in the home that are poisonous, flammable, reactive, or corrosive. These wastes are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. The goal of the program is to keep potentially hazardous waste out of local landfills and sewers, providing extra protection for wetlands and waterways. In addition, residents may now bring latex (water-based) paint to the collection event. While not considered hazardous waste, the latex paint will be accepted as part of a new statewide paint product stewardship program.

Examples of wastes that will be accepted include: Mercury and Mercury thermometers, Drain & Oven Cleaners, Upholstery Cleaners, Poisons, Insecticides, Wood Cleaners, Aerosols, Metal Polishers, Pool & Photo Chemicals, Automotive Cleaners & Fluids, Grease & Rust Solvents, Alkaline Batteries, and Fluorescent Bulbs.

Items that will not be accepted include: Auto Batteries, Motor Oil, Radioactive or Medical Waste, Asbestos, Explosives, and Empty Fire Extinguishers, Compressed Gas Cylinders, Lead Paint Chips. The contractor reserves the right to reject additional materials.

Up to 50 lbs. of residential waste will be accepted per vehicle. Residents should leave materials in the original container whenever possible. When arriving at the collection site, residents are asked to stay in their cars at all times. Trained waste handlers will remove materials from the cars.

Connecticut participates in a statewide paint recycling pro-gram known as PaintCare. PaintCare provides free recycling of architectural paint by placing a small fee on newly purchased paint. Acceptable paints will be collected at HHW events.

Acceptable Paints: Interior and exterior architectural paints, latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel, deck coatings, floor paints, primers, sealers, undercoatings, field and lawn paints stains, shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component), waterproofing sealers (except tar or bitumen based), metal coatings, rust preservatives. Containers larger than 5 gallons will not be accepted.

Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle and information will be given on how to dispose of them.

For more information visit https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=5685 or call 203-757-0535

ORANGE: Walking And Hiking Are Healthy Ways To Reduce Stress During This Difficult Time

 

ORANGE (NEW HAVEN COUNTY) CT: Walking and hiking are healthy ways to reduce stress during this difficult time, but make sure to adhere to social distancing as outlined by the CDC - even when outdoors

Governor Lamont has allowed the trails and grounds of Connecticut State Parks and Forests to remain open for solitary outdoor enjoyment.  If you plan on visiting a park, it should be for solitary recreation, not group activities.

However, please note, to prevent community spread of COVID-19, indoor spaces at State Parks and Forests are closed and public restrooms will be closed at most state parks. 

A list of parks near Orange can be found here:

Park	Location
C.P. Huntington State Park	Redding/Bethel/Newtown
Centennial State Forest	Fairfield
Farm River State Park	East Haven
Farmington Canal Greenway State Park	Cheshire/Hamden
George Waldo State Park	Southbury
Indian Well State Park	Shelton
Kettletown State Park	Southbury
Larkin State Park Trail	Southbury/Naugatuck/Oxford/Middlebury
Naugatuck State Forest	Naugatuck/Oxford/Beacon Falls
Osbornedale State Park	Derby
Paugussett State Forest	Newtown
Putnam Memorial State Park	Redding
Quinnipiac River State Park	North Haven
Rocky Glen State Park	Newtown
Sherwood Island State Park	Westport
Silver Sands State Park	Milford
Sleeping Giant State Park	Hamden
Southford Falls State Park	Southbury
Trout Brook Valley State Park	Easton
West Rock Ridge State Park	Hamden/New Haven
Wharton Brook State Park	Wallingford
Whittemore Glen State Park	Naugatuck/Middlebury

CT DEEP is providing up to the minute information about our parks here

Please plan ahead as many amenities and indoor facilities are closed. Connecticut State Parks and Forests urges you to take the following steps to enhance “social distancing” when enjoying the outdoors:

• If you’re not feeling well, stay home! 
• Rather than traveling to some of the most popular spots, for example, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Sleeping Giant State Park, or Bluff Point State Park, try a park you may not have visited before or one close to your home. Because most park and forest facilities do not have open restrooms, visitors are encouraged to plan a trip to a nearby park for a short, local visit.
• If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, choose a different park or trail, or return another day or time.
• Observe the CDC's minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people, whether you’re walking, biking, or hiking. Practice it and know what it looks like.
• Warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell, or horn.
• Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to the park. Wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and equipment.

All state parks can be accessed by Connecticut residents free of charge, supported by the Passport to Parks program. 

The DEEP will be monitoring visitor capacity at the state’s most popular parks and may reduce the parking threshold to further limit the number of visitors and help to prevent overcrowding. For up-to-date information on park closures, follow @CTStateParks on Twitter.

Please be aware that the opening of camping season at Connecticut State Parks and Forests will be postponed until Memorial Day weekend in May, unless a further delay is required. All campground reservations that were made for stays prior to Memorial Day weekend will automatically be canceled and refunds will be processed. 

DEEP will be closely monitoring state and federal guidelines for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and will make further adjustments to state park and forest operations as needed. More tips for safe enjoyment of outdoor spaces are available from the National Recreation and Parks Association at www.nrpa.org. 

To keep informed of the latest updates, please visit: Connecticut State Parks, follow us on Twitter @CTDEEPNEWS and @CTStateParks, and facebook.com/CTState