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With spring quickly approaching, the Town of Hempstead is preparing for another year of STOP (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) programs, which will be brought to communities throughout the township.

Hempstead Town is committed to preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of our area and with our STOP. program we are leading the way in recycling and the responsible disposal of hazardous household waste.

STOP enables residents to safely dispose of hazardous household wastes at convenient locations throughout the town. This vital service prevents hazardous materials from entering the waste stream and harming our delicate ecosystem.

Among the many items found around the house that should not be thrown out with the regular garbage are: bleach, ammonia, anti-freeze, pesticides (including "Weed-B-Gone" or Silvex 2, 4, 5-T), cleaning solvents, disinfectants, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, paint and paint thinners, photography and swimming pool chemicals, spot removers and small propane tanks.

The schedule of the STOP program is complete for 2006. All program hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other dates and locations are:

Long Beach: Sunday, April 30 on Centre Street off Park Avenue in City Hall Parking Lot.

Bellmore: Sunday, May 21 at the Newbridge Road Park garage.

East Rockaway: Saturday, June 10 at Bay Park.

Levittown: Sunday, July 16 at the Town Parking Field, Division Avenue (off Hempstead Turnpike.)

Uniondale: Saturday, August 19 at the Greenfield Cemetery garage on Nassau Road (use Milburn Avenue entrance).

Bellmore: Saturday, September 9 at the Newbridge Road Park garage.

Valley Stream: Sunday, October 15 at Valley Stream State Park, Parking Field 1.

Baldwin: Sunday, November 19 at Baldwin Park garage on Grand Avenue.

East Meadow: Saturday, December 9 at Eisenhower Park, Field #3, between Hempstead Turnpike and Merrick Avenue.

For more information or to obtain written material on the Town of Hempstead's STOP program, call the recycling section of the Department of Sanitation at 378-2200.

I urge you to take advantage of one of the many STOP. programs available in your local neighborhood. This initiative provides a great opportunity to take an active role in preserving our environment. Together, we are making the Town of Hempstead an even better place for our children and future generations.