PITTSFIELD – The first residential household hazardous materials collection day for the town of Pittsfield will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Transfer Station. Residents must sign up in advance to recycle their materials by contacting Don Chute, recycling and transfer station coordinator, at 487-3361.

By speaking with Chute, which is a requirement of the program approved by the state and the Clean Harbors contractor, residents can learn the specific types of materials to bring as well as a designated time to arrive at the transfer station.

Materials that can be recycled include such items as alkaline, lead-based and latex paints, old fire extinguishers, fertilizers and pesticides, old style cleaners, petroleum distillates and thermometers. Chute recommends that residents bring their materials in a pick-up truck, if available, and pack the materials by category in a box with crumpled paper so that the materials cannot move around.

The collection day is part of a supplemental environmental project approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. According to town manager Kathryn Ruth, “We believe this program will be of great benefit to the town of Pittsfield as we will be getting hazardous materials out of people’s households and raising residents’ awareness of the dangers of these materials and how to handle them,” she said.

Ruth also said that future collections, which would be yearly, may be part of a regional effort and moved to a collection facility elsewhere in the county.

Flyers giving details on the collection day have been sent to all households, and additional copies are available at the town office. For more information, contact Chute at 487-3361.