Published:
Residents Encouraged to Take Advantage of Free Recycling Events in Peekskill and Rye on Nov. 1 and Nov. 7
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) are reminding residents that the final two Household Recycling Day (HRD) events of 2026 will take place in Peekskill and Rye this November. The events offer a convenient way to safely dispose of household chemicals, electronics, unwanted medications and other materials that require special handling and should not go in regular household trash.
The Household Recycling Day (HRD) events will take place on:
- Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Charles Point Resource Recovery Facility, 3 John Walsh Blvd., Peekskill
- Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Playland Park, 1 Playland Parkway, Rye
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “We all have things sitting around our homes that we are not quite sure how to get rid of, whether it is old paint, electronics or household chemicals. These recycling events give our residents an easy way to dispose of those materials safely and responsibly. It is a simple but important step we can all take to protect our environment and keep potentially harmful materials out of our regular waste stream. I want to thank our Department of Environmental Facilities for continuing to make these services available to residents throughout Westchester County, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of these last two events of the year.”
Residents may experience extended wait times. Those who wish to avoid long lines or cannot attend are encouraged to schedule an appointment at the County’s Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF), located at 15 Woods Road on the Grasslands Campus in Valhalla. The H-MRF accepts the same items as HRDs and is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can schedule an appointment or learn more at Environment.WestchesterCountyNY.gov/facilities/h-mrf or by calling the Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425.
At the events, residents can dispose of properly labeled household chemicals, tires, scrap metal, electronics, appliances and other household materials. Document shredding and safe disposal of expired or unwanted medications will also be available. Residents should place items in their trunks or back seats and remain in their vehicles while staff unloads materials in the designated drop-off area.
Generally, the following items are accepted for safe disposal or recycling:
- Properly labeled household chemicals, such as:
- Household cleaning products
- Most automotive fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, but not motor oil)
- Flammable liquids (kerosene, butane, lighter fluid, turpentine)
- Metal, jewelry, and furniture polishes and waxes; wood preservatives
- Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides
- Photographic and swimming pool chemicals
- Batteries – only vehicle, rechargeable, or button cell
- Textiles- footwear, clothing, linens, leather, and handbags
- Latex and oil-based Paint, wood stains
- Fluorescent light bulbs & CFLs
- Fire extinguishers
- BBQ propane tanks (up to 20 lbs.)
- Mercury containing devices (thermometers and thermostats)
- Electronic waste (TVs, computer monitors, and towers)
- Expired or unwanted medications, both OTC and prescription
- Personal documents for shredding (limit of four (4) file-size boxes per household)
- Tires (with or without rims) up to four per household
Items not accepted include non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries, motor oil, smoke detectors, cell phones, explosives, including flares, fireworks, ammunition, construction debris, and hypodermic needles. Waste from businesses, schools, and institutions will not be accepted.
For more information on what to bring to these events, visit Environment.WestchesterCountyNY.gov or call the Recycling Helpline: (914) 813-5425. Residents can also follow the Department of Environmental Facilities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestchesterCountyDEF for updates on programs and events.
