Here in the Town of Hempstead we are always seeking ways to enhance our environmental efforts. For the past eight years we have been asking town residents to recycle, rather than discard, common household batteries. These batteries may be easily disposed of at conveniently located firehouses throughout the town, at three Sanitary District locations, at various retail outlets, participating school districts, and at Hempstead Town Hall. All batteries collected at these outlets are then removed for disposal by a professional hazardous waste hauler.

Batteries, which are thrown into the trash often emit heavy metals into the atmosphere. By recycling batteries, we are able to prevent lead, cadmium, and mercury from being emitted into the atmosphere when the garbage is incinerated.

Residents are encouraged to bring dry cell household batteries such as those used in radios, toys, flashlights, cameras, watches, clocks, calculators, hearing aids and appliances. Included are battery packs from videos and computers, as well as rechargeable batteries. The following locations will be happy to accept batteries for recycling:

Merrick Fire Dept.

2300 Merrick Ave.

Merrick, NY

Garden City Fire Dept.

347 Stewart Avenue

Garden City, NY

Pt. Lookout Fire Dept.

Lido Boulevard

Pt. Lookout, NY

East Meadow Fire Dept.

597 East Meadow Ave.

East Meadow, NY

Sanitary District #2

2080 Grand Avenue

Baldwin, NY

Wantagh Fire Dept.

3470 Park Avenue

Wantagh, NY

N. Bellmore Fire Dept.

821 Newbridge Road

N. Bellmore, NY

Levittown Fire Dept.

Gardiners Avenue

Levittown, NY

Uniondale Fire Dept.

501 Uniondale Ave.

Uniondale, NY

Sanitary District #6

80 Cherry Valley Ave. 90

West Hempstead, NY

Seaford Fire Dept.

2170 Southard Ave.

Seaford, NY

Oceanside Fire Dept.

65 Foxhurst Road

Oceanside, NY

N. Merrick Fire Dept.

42 East Camp Avenue

N. Merrick, NY

Valley Stream Fire Dept.

Cherry Valley Avenue

Valley Stream, NY

Sanitary District #7

Mott Street

Oceanside, NY

Please do not bring lead acid batteries such as those used in automobiles, boats, mopeds, motorcycles, or wheelchairs. These may be returned to retailers where they were purchased, or they may be brought to one of the Town of Hempstead's S.T.O.P. Day Programs. The next one will be held on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Greenfield Cemetery Garage, 650 Nassau Road, Uniondale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patrons are requested to use the Milburn Avenue entrance to the cemetery.

Recycling and environmental protection are vital elements of the town's solid waste management strategy. Proper disposal of household batteries will reap long-term environmental benefits for all the residents of our township. I thank you for participating. For more information please call our Recycling Division of the Department of Sanitation at 378-2200.