If you've been holding onto some hazardous waste in Chatham-Kent, hoping to drop it off in September, you'll have to store it for a little while longer.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is postponing its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day, which is held in partnership with Waste Connections of Canada's Ridge Landfill.
The event -- previously scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2020 -- is being postponed until further notice because of COVID-19 limitations regarding large gatherings.
Last year's event drew more than 1,400 vehicles to three public works garages in Chatham-Kent. A release from the municipality also noted that hundreds more vehicles and residents dropped off used waste oil and were not included in that vehicle count.
The drop-off day has been held since 2001 and offers local residents a chance to safely dispose of household hazardous waste like pool chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, gasoline, paint, oil, batteries, and propane cylinders at designated locations at no charge.
"The situation with COVID-19 is changing and we fully anticipate to hold another event at a future date, but right now our priority must be the protection of the public and employees," said Rick Kucera, Chatham-Kent Manager of Waste and Recycling Services. "We are urging the public to continue to safely store the materials they have until we can establish a new date."
Municipal officials said the event will be rescheduled as soon as it is safe to do so, adding that a public notice with the new date will be provided as soon as possible.
