Monroe County executive Adam Bello announces expanded mobile program with eight hazardous waste and pharmaceutical collection events across the region

Monroe County, New York – A seasonal effort to protect both public health and the environment is returning across Monroe County, bringing with it a practical solution to a problem many households quietly face every year – what to do with hazardous waste piling up in garages, basements, and medicine cabinets.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello has officially announced the return of the county’s Mobile Household Hazardous Waste and Pharmaceutical Collections program, a coordinated initiative led by the Department of Environmental Services. The program, now a familiar part of the county’s environmental calendar, will roll out a total of eight mobile collection events throughout the year, each designed to give residents a safe and accessible way to dispose of potentially dangerous materials.

The structure is simple but purposeful. Four events will focus on household hazardous waste—items that are often overlooked but carry serious environmental risks if discarded improperly. The remaining four will center on pharmaceutical waste, addressing the growing concern over unused or expired medications being flushed, trashed, or otherwise mishandled.

“Both the health of our environment and the health of our families can be jeopardized by the improper disposal of household hazardous waste,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “That’s why we’re making it easier than ever to dispose of hazardous items by bringing our collection initiative to our neighborhoods. Just bring your household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals to one of our collection events and our Department of Environmental Services will handle the rest.”

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His message underscores a broader concern—many everyday products, from old paint cans to leftover medications, can contaminate water systems or pose risks to sanitation workers when not disposed of correctly. By decentralizing collection efforts and bringing them directly into communities, the county is attempting to remove the barriers that often lead to improper disposal in the first place.

For residents looking to participate in the household hazardous waste collections, planning ahead will be necessary. Appointments are required, and scheduling is handled through the county’s ecopark system. However, once registered, residents can attend any of the designated events regardless of their town of residence, offering a level of flexibility that reflects the program’s community-wide focus.

Each household is allowed to dispose of up to 30 gallons of chemical waste at no cost. This includes common but potentially harmful materials such as automotive fluids, fertilizers, cleaning products, and pool chemicals. In addition, the program accommodates the disposal of medical sharps and syringes, provided they are sealed in approved containers or sturdy alternatives like detergent bottles and clearly labeled.

Modern waste challenges are also being addressed. Vaping devices, including e-cigarettes and vape pens, are accepted as well—an acknowledgment of how quickly household waste streams evolve with changing consumer habits. These items must be sealed in plastic bags to ensure safe handling.

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The four scheduled household hazardous waste events will take place on May 16 in Perinton, June 13 in Ogden, September 19 in Penfield, and October 3 in Irondequoit. Each event will run during the morning hours, creating a consistent window for drop-offs while allowing crews to manage materials safely and efficiently.

Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical collection events offer a more flexible approach. No appointments are required, making it easier for residents to simply show up and dispose of unwanted medications. These events will be held at various locations, including community spaces and retail partnerships, with two of them hosted in collaboration with Wegmans Food Markets.

From April through August, residents will find collection opportunities at Churchville Park, Mt. Read Wegmans, Hamlin Town Hall, and Fairport Road Wegmans. Accepted items include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, ointments, inhalers, and again, properly contained sharps.

Beyond these mobile efforts, the county continues to operate its permanent disposal facility, the Monroe County ecopark, which maintains a steady schedule for recycling and waste drop-off. Open weekly, the facility accepts a wide range of materials, ensuring that residents have year-round options in addition to the mobile events.

Taken together, the program reflects a growing awareness that environmental responsibility often begins at home—but requires accessible systems to support it. With hazardous waste and unused medications posing quiet but significant risks, Monroe County’s approach is both preventative and practical.

As the program gets underway once again, officials are hoping residents will take advantage of the opportunity—not just to clean out their homes, but to contribute to a safer and cleaner community overall.