Shredding Program

Hempstead Town offers secure document shredding services for residents. All Town of Hempstead residents, including those of incorporated villages within the township, are encouraged to utilize the scheduled confidential shredding programs. Your private documents will be safely shredded and disposed of for your convenience. 

• Residents are limited to a maximum of five file boxes or five paper bags.
• Witnessed shredding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When shredding trucks reach maximum capacity, shredding must take place off-site.
• No commercial or home businesses, schools, churches, or synagogues are permitted.
• No commercial vehicles are permitted.

Shredding Program Schedule

Shredding events are held along with E-Cycling events. Hours are from 8 am to 1 pm.
For further information, please contact the S.T.O.P. & E-Cycling Program at 516-378-4210, Option 6

E-Cycling

Overview

With the rapid pace at which technology is advancing, people are purchasing new computer systems, televisions, DVD players, and other electronic components in record numbers. Industry experts estimate that American consumers dispose of 400 million units of electronic equipment per year. Recycling electronic waste protects the environment by keeping toxic materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic from entering the waste stream.

In accordance with the New York State Electronic Recycling and Reuse Act of 2010, beginning January 1, 2015 consumers are prohibited from disposing of electronic waste at any solid waste management facility or placing electronic waste in the trash or at the curbside for trash collection.

All televisions, computers, computer components (including cables, cords, and wiring), monitors, tablets, e-readers, electronic keyboards, mice, fax machines, scanners, printers, VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, digital converter boxes, cable or satellite receivers, electronic and video game consoles and portable digital music players will be accepted for e-cycling. Cell phones are not accepted.

Arrange for Special Pick-Up

Residents served by the Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation may arrange for a special pick-up of electronic waste at their residence by calling 516-378-8484.  All Town of Hempstead residents, including residents of incorporated villages within the township, are permitted to bring electronic waste to the Homeowner Disposal Area located at 1600 Merrick Road in Merrick. Residents can also contact the manufacturer to obtain information on how to recycle the equipment.

Program Schedule

E-cycling collection events are listed below. Shredding services are also offered at these events. Hours are from 8 am to 1 pm. For further questions about e-cycling, please contact the S.T.O.P. & E-Cycling Program at 516-378-4210, Option 6

Rev 11/30/22

Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P.)

Overview

The Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P.) Program is designed to provide area residents with a safe, environmentally sound method of disposal of the many hazardous materials found in the average home. By bringing such toxins as antifreeze, drain cleaners, and pesticides on any of the scheduled S.T.O.P. collection days, you and your family can make a significant contribution to the protection of our precious groundwater supply and the preservation of our bays and estuaries. 

Please join us in cleaning our homes of hazardous material and ensuring their proper collection and disposal. Together we can ensure the continued integrity of our fragile ecosystem.

View a list of items that are accepted and not accepted at S.T.O.P. events.

Preparing Items

When bringing items, please follow these simple guidelines: Wrap leaking containers in newspaper and place them in a plastic bag or larger container. Make sure all caps and lids are tight. Place items securely in a box for transportation. Use newspaper or cardboard to keep items from tipping or hitting each other. Place chemicals that may react with each other in separate areas of the vehicle. Do not leave products in a hot, unventilated vehicle for an extended period of time. Do not smoke near chemical products. Wear rubber gloves when handling containers.

Waste from commercial establishments, schools, churches, synagogues, or home businesses will not be accepted. No commercial vehicles are permitted.

Sharp Items

Sharps (needles, syringes, and lancets) are not accepted at S.T.O.P. events. Information regarding the safe disposal of sharps can be found at the New York State Department of Health. Information about the safe disposal of unused medicines can be found at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and/or using the Drug Enforcement Administration's Controlled Substance Public Disposal search tool.

For questions about our S.T.O.P. Program, please contact the S.T.O.P. & E-Cycling Program at 516-378-4210, Option 6

Mercury Recycling Program

Many old thermostats contain mercury. Now, you can bring your old thermostat to a S.T.O.P. event, keep mercury out of the waste stream and receive a $5 gift card to a local home center compliments of Covanta Energy. Limit of 5 offers per household, please.

S.T.O.P. Program Schedule

S.T.O.P. Program hours are from 8 am to 3 pm.

Rev 12/13/22

Accepted & Not Accepted Items

Items Accepted at S.T.O.P.

• Aerosol cans
• Ammonia
• Antifreeze*
• Asbestos (double bagged)
• Batteries - Car
• Batteries - Household
• Bleach
• Bug & Rodent Killers
• Chemistry Sets
• Degreasers
• Disinfectants
• Drain Cleaners
• Fertilizers with Herbicides
• Fire Extinguishers - One-Time Use
• Flammable Liquids (fire starter, gasoline* and diesel fuel*) Fluorescent Lamps and CFLs in shatterproof containers including ballasts   
• Kerosene*
• Lacquers
• Latex & Oil-Based Paints
• Oven Cleaners
• Paint Strippers
• Paint Thinners & Brush Cleaners
• Pesticides
• Photography Chemicals
• Polishes & Wood Preservatives
• Propane Tanks - 20 lb.
• Solvents
• Spot Removers
• Swimming Pool Chemicals
• Telephone Books
• Thermostats (containing mercury)
• Tires (car - off rims)
• Varnish
• Waste Oil*
• Weed Killers

* Limit 6 in 5-gallon containers only.

Items Not Accepted at S.T.O.P.

• Ammunition
• Electronic Recyclable Waste
• Explosives
• Fire Extinguishers - Commercial
• Fireworks
• Infectious or Medical Waste, Sharps
• Medications
• Oxygen Tanks
• Propane Tanks - larger than 20 Pounds
• Radioactive Materials
• Unlabeled Materials