Ocean County will collect household hazardous waste at five different sites throughout the county on five different dates beginning Oct. 4. “This program helps keep hazardous materials out of the waste stream and helps protect Barnegat Bay,” said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the county’s recycling program. “We are pleased to offer this program to our residents and encourage its use.”

Locations, times and dates for the fall program are:

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 4, Manchester Township Public Works Garage, Route 70;

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 5, Lakewood Township Public Works Yard, America Avenue, Lakewood;

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 6, Toms River Township Recycling Center, Church Road, Toms River;

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 12, Lacey Township Recycling Center, Municipal Lane, Lacey Township, and

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 13, Stafford Township Public Works Garage, Hay Road, Stafford Township.

To register for the Manchester or the Lakewood township sites call 732-367-0802; for the Toms River site call 732-506-5047, and for the Stafford and Lacey township collection sites call 609-978-0913. Registration is required as is proof of residency.

“Earlier this year we collected almost 123,000 pounds of household hazardous waste over five days,” Lacey said. “This keeps our environment safe and allows homeowners to rid their homes of materials that could be dangerous.”

Materials accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites are: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.

Lacey noted that residents also have the opportunity to drop-off used paint for recycling year-round at 10 different recycling centers throughout the county.

Residents can access the Ocean County Paint Management Program six days a week by visiting the recycling centers in the following municipalities: Brick Township, Berkeley Township, Little Egg Harbor Township, Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River and Lacey townships, along with the county’s Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood and the Southern Recycling Center in Stafford. Paint is collected Monday through Fridays at the public works garages in Seaside Park and Tuckerton.

“These recycling programs help keep our environment clean,” said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little. “Public participation is key when it comes to taking care of our waterways, our streams and our land.”