HOWELL – The receiving of waste oil at Howell’s recycling yard has been discontinued effective until further notice. Municipal officials said residents may take waste oil to the Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Shafto Road in Tinton Falls.
The township stopped accepting waste oil on June 6. Township Manager Brian Geoghegan explained why the service was discontinued.
“Unfortunately, for the third time over about (18 months), someone has dumped contaminated waste oil. The first two times, the waste oil was found to have PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
“This (third) time there was what is believed to have been a flammable contaminant. We are awaiting lab results to confirm that. However, each time this occurs, the township is required to have the waste oil tanks cleaned, at great expense, and (incurs) the disposal cost of the hazardous material,” Geoghegan said.
He said the cost to Howell has reached about $30,000.
“As of right now, we have suspended accepting waste oil at our facility. We are contemplating the costs and if we will resume this service in the future,” Geoghegan said.
He informed the members of the Township Council and the public of the decision at the June 11 meeting of the governing body.