BERRIEN COUNTY — Berrien County residents can bring unwanted household chemicals and electronics to Silver Beach County Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, for recycling and safe disposal. Silver Beach is located at 101 Broad St., below the bluff in St. Joseph.

Accepted household chemicals include auto liquids, yard and garden chemicals, cleaners, pool chemicals, solvents, oil-based paint, stain, and most other paint products, expect for latex paint which will not be accepted. Also accepted are household and auto batteries of all sizes, fluorescent light bulbs, and home medical waste including pills and sharps.

Unwanted pills should be taken out of the original pill bottle and combined together in a sealable bag. Medical sharps/needles must be brought in a puncture proof container, such as a ridged plastic bottle or tub. No loose sharps will be accepted. 

Latex paint, or water-based paint, will not be accepted at this community event. Latex paint can be recycled at Ace Hardware in St. Joseph and Stevensville for a small fee, latex paint can be dried out and placed in with regular curbside trash. To quickly dry out latex paint, mix in latex paint drying powder that can be found at most hardware stores mix in kitty litter or other non-toxic material to help speed up drying time.

Donations are accepted to offset the collection, transportation, and processing costs of the household chemicals.

Green Earth Electronics Recycling will be collecting electronics such as computers, monitors (fee applies), TVs (fee applies), small and large appliances, dehumidifiers, window air conditions, DVD/VCR players, phones, power tools, or any household item with a cord or items that run on batteries. The fee of $10/computer monitor and $20/television is due at the event. Other electronics are accepted at no cost to the resident.

More information can be found at berriencounty.org, click Recycling Services or call Jill Adams at (269) 983-7111 x8234. The event is coordinated by the Berrien County Parks Department.