As springtime brings warmer weather, area residents may turn their attention to cleaning out garages, sheds and other storage areas on their properties.

When discarding stored items, residents must now observe new prohibitions on curbside disposal of hazardous waste and old electronics items.

Items such as cleaners, batteries, electronics and chemicals may not be tossed in with the regular trash. They must be discarded at designated sites.

Hazardous waste

Northampton County will host a hazardous waste drop-off event 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 1.

At this time, residents may take their discarded household hazardous waste items to the Northampton Community College campus in Bethlehem Township. Items accepted include adhesives, aerosol cans, antifreeze, automotive fluids and cleaners, batteries, compressed gas, fluorescent lights, combustible fluids, fire extinguishers, herbicides and pesticides, household cleaners, products containing mercury, oil-based (not latex) paint and stains, pool chemicals and thermostats.

Latex paint is not accepted because it is not considered hazardous and may be put out for regular garbage pickup.

This collection event is open to Northampton County residents only. A photo ID or recent utility bill will be accepted as proof of residency.

Enter from Green Pond Road and follow the signs to the drop-off area.

An additional hazardous waste drop-off event will be held Oct. 12.

Lehigh County has not scheduled a hazardous waste collection. According to county General Services Manager Tim Bollinger, a county program in effect until 2010, "fell down to the bottom of the priority list" with budget cutting.

He suggested residents with questions call him at 610-782-3073 for recommendations about where to take hazardous waste such as paint, used motor oil and antifreeze.

"Latex paint is not considered hazardous," he said. "You must dry it out first and leave the lid off so the refuse hauler can see it's hardened," he said. Cat litter can absorb the moisture, or residents can use a commercial product for hardening paint, he said.

Bollinger has provided residents the phone numbers of places that will accept some hazardous waste for a fee, and suggests that people change their purchasing habits so to avoid having to dispose of a large number of items.

"Ultimately, it's affecting the environment," he said.

Electronics disposal

The Borough of North Catasauqua will host a drop-off for any type of electronic items on Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at their borough public works building on Main Street.

There is no charge for discarding electronics or electrical appliances with the exception of refrigerators or other items containing freon, for which there is a $15 fee.

Lehigh County will host an electronics recycling event on Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at three locations: at the LCCC back parking lot in Schnecksville; at the Olympus world headquarters at the corporate park near the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley; and at the Lowe's Home Depot on Eighth Avenue in Bethlehem.

This recycling program, called Anything With A Plug Event, accepts all electronics and appliances, including window air conditioners and humidifiers, but does not include full-size refrigerators.

In Hanover Township, Lehigh County, a FreeCycle site opened recently, where residents may drop off old computers, electronic games and appliances.

Located at 1120 S. 25th St., it is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the third Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to noon.

While there is a $20 fee for disposal of refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers and dehumidifiers, there is no charge for leaving other items.

Electronics include alarm clocks, answering machines, recorders, calculators, telephones, cellphones, pagers, copiers, DVD players, electronic keyboards, electronic games, iPods, headphones, movie projectors, microphones, televisions, typewriters, VCRs and video game systems.

Appliances include bread machines, coffee makers, washing machines, clothes dryers, curling irons and other hairstyling tools, microwave ovens, Panini irons, popcorn makers, portable heaters, toasters and toaster ovens and waffle irons.

Computer items include laptops, network towers, servers, keyboards and accessories, modems, monitors, desktop printers, webcams and mice.

Also, compact discs, DVDs, floppy disks, CD players, cameras, cords, cables and wires, VHS tapes, fans, fitness equipment, grills, power tools and weed trimmers.

For nonhazardous items that may be of use to others, residents may wish to consider donating them to an area thrift shop or taking them to the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore location at 1053 Grape St., Whitehall, open for drop-off of acceptable items Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.