Pollutant dropoff planned in N. Hempstead

North Hempstead plans to hold its first Stop Throwing Out Pollutants -- or STOP -- event of the year on Saturday.

Residents can drop off a variety of items at Michael J. Tully Park, in New Hyde Park, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The town, which has been collecting pharmaceuticals for three years, said it has diverted more than 3 tons of unwanted drugs from landfills and drinking water. Supervisor Jon Kaiman said in a news release that the town “recognizes the potential dangers of the improper disposal of household products.” Through the STOP event, he said, “the closer we come to our goal of changing the nature of garbage.”

Among the items the town will accept: television sets, computers, aerosols, household chemicals, disinfectants, fertilizers, household chemicals, and light bulbs. Latex and water-based paints will not be accepted, town officials said, but oil-based paints will be taken.

Residents also can shred and dispose of personal documents and credit cards for free.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, a youth mentoring organization, is partnering with the town, and plans to have a truck accepting clothes, toys, electronics, scooters and luggage, among other items.