Household Hazardous Waste Event Returns This Month

Pesticides, motor oil, and electronics – they’re common leftovers that clutter our cupboards, garages, and sheds. If you’ve come across these items in your home lately, you may have wondered why you still have them and how you’re going to get rid of them. Good news is on the horizon: the Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection Event returns this fall.

Residents are invited to join the Township of Langley and Langley City on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 at George Preston Recreation Centre from 9:00am to 3:00pm each day. The event provides an opportunity to safely dispose of a variety of household hazardous waste items such as batteries, solvents, lightbulbs, and more. These types of items require a little extra care when it comes time for disposal and cannot be thrown in the trash, flushed down the toilet poured down the sink, or buried in yards or fields.

“While they may live under our sinks and in our basements, some household products contain materials that become dangerous when disposed of improperly,” said Christopher Combe, Sustainability Program Specialist for the Township of Langley. “For over twenty years, the Household Hazardous Waste Event has provided Langley residents a convenient option to recycle or dispose of unwanted items in one stop.”

For the second year, the event will take place at George Preston Recreation Centre, located at 20699 - 42 Avenue. During the event, staff will unload waste from vehicles, but only items retrievable from truck beds or vehicle trunks/hatches will be accepted. Items passed through doors or windows will not be accepted, and all liquid items must be in secure containers and cannot be leaking. To help keep the event running efficiently, attendees are encouraged to review the Preferred Packing Order diagram at tol.ca/HHW before loading their vehicles. Walk-ins will not be permitted.

In 2021, just over one-thousand vehicles dropped-off their household hazardous waste. “This is a popular event and line ups can occur,” noted Combe. “Residents are encouraged to skip the line by returning many of their household hazardous waste items to depots and participating retailers throughout the year instead.” Some of the most common items dropped-off at the event, such as motor oil, thermostats and smoke alarms, and small appliances are easily recycled elsewhere, year-round and free-of-charge, thanks to provincial recycling programs. To learn more about items that can be returned all year long and where to bring them, visit tol.ca/takeitback.

As with years past, the event is offered at no charge to residents of the Township of Langley and Langley City, with proof of residency. Additionally, visitors to the event can bring donations of non-perishable food items for the Langley Food Bank.

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection Event, visit tol.ca/HHW.