S.T.O.P. program comes to Long Beach

Spring is here and that means it’s time to safely dispose of your household chemicals, paint, fertilizers and other harmful household products. The S.T.O.P. — Stop Throwing out Pollutants --program in the parking lot behind City Hall on April 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“While the EPA seeks to find more information about the level of contaminants in our waterways, we need to take preventative measures to reduce pollutants now,” said City Manager Charles T. Theofan. “We can all do our part by bringing harmful household contaminants and discarded drugs to the S.T.O.P. site on April 18.”

This year the Long Beach Police Department will participate in the program with “Operation Prescription Medication/Drug Drop Off,” collecting prescription and over-the-counter medications that people wish to discard. “Any persons participating in the drug collection will remain anonymous, and no questions will be asked,” said Commissioner Thomas Sofield Sr.

S.T.O.P. does not accept electronics such as radios, computers and the like. Those items can be dropped at the “Big Blue” receptacle in front of the Recreation Center on Magnolia Boulevard at the bay. For further information on the S.T.O.P. program, please call S.T.O.P. at the Town of Hempstead at 378-2200. For a complete list of items that can be brought to S.T.O.P., log onto www.longbeachny.org.