Bucks County Senator Steve Santarsiero, D–10, has joined with two area legislators — one Republican, one Democrat — to propose a change in funding for county disposal of hazardous household waste.

The bill they introduced increased the limit on matching funds that each county may receive from $100,000 to $250,000.

Their intent is to ease residents’ burden in safely disposing of materials such as oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries, and motor oil.

“Our counties are taking the lead on collecting millions of pounds of household waste annually, but some counties, like Bucks County, are only receiving a fraction of the cost back,” said Sen. Santarsiero.

“It is in the best interest of our communities to dispose household hazardous waste properly to protect our environment. Raising the cap on the reimbursement will allow the counties spending the most to offer more services to their residents,” he concluded.

Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie believes the proposal will produce long-term benefits.

Counties currently receive a state funding match of up to $100,000 to help with the cost of collecting household hazardous waste. The proposed 150 percent cap increase to $250,000 would require no increase in this funding, given recent annual expenditures by counties on this program.

More information on this proposal is online.