Household Hazardous Waste Day

Many household items contain hazardous substances that pose health and environmental risks. These substances can leach into the ground water if poured down the drain, thrown in the trash or dumped directly onto the ground. At our collection day, hazardous household products will be sorted by category, properly packed in drums by a licensed hauler, and disposed of by the method appropriate to the category. The expense of holding a collection day is considerable, please be discriminate about what you bring to be packed and hauled away. You are encouraged to use up the material according to directions or give the unwanted portion to a friend.

• Read labels on all products: reduce use of products whose labels contain these words: Caustic, Combustible, Corrosive, Flammable, Oxidizer, Poison, Toxic, Caution, Danger, and Warning.
• If possible, substitute a natural or non-hazardous product or practice; for example, use of biodegradable or low phosphate cleaners; or use rechargeable batteries instead of the disposable kinds.

• Oil based paints, stains & varnishes (NO LATEX PAINT WILL BE ACCEPTED), paint thinner, solvents & strippers, wood preservatives, solvent adhesives, and roofing tar.
• Waste fuels (NO MOTOR OIL WILL BE ACCEPTED); kerosene, gasoline, engine degreaser, carburetor cleaner, brake fluid, car wax and polishes, and antifreeze.
• Poisons, insecticides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, weed killer, mothballs, no-pest strips, flea powder, driveway sealer, and charcoal lighter fluid.
• Rubber cement, airplane glue, fiberglass resins, photo chemicals, chemistry sets, furniture polish, floor & metal polishes, oven, toilet & drain cleaners, rug & upholstery cleaners, spot remover, septic tank degreasers, swimming pool chemicals, and aerosol cans (NOT EMPTY, dispose of empty cans in the yellow city trash bag).
• Limit of 25 gallons or 25 pounds.

• LATEX PAINT can be disposed of safely in the trash. Pack the can with crumpled newspaper to absorb the remainder or allow this paint to dry out. Then secure the lid and place in yellow city trash bag.
• EMPTY CONTAINERS are not hazardous and must be disposed of in your yellow city trash bag.
• WASTE MOTOR OIL - Since 1973, the Massachusetts Used Oil Return Law requires that each motor oil retailer establish a storage unit and accept used oil from customers presenting proof of purchase. A retailer is obliged to accept, free of charge, up to 2 gallons a day from any one customer.
• SMOKE DETECTORS should be returned to the manufacturer for proper disposal.
• Commercial or Industrial Wastes from businesses or contractors.
• Ammunition, Fireworks, Explosives
• Household batteries like: A, AA, C, and D. These can be disposed of safely in your trash bag.
• Prescription Medicines/Syringes
• Pesticides Containing 2-4-5T, Silvex
• Penta Brand Wood Preservatives
• Radioactive Wastes
• Tires
• Asbestos
• Compressed Gas Cylinders (Propane Tanks)
• Infectious & Biological Wastes
• Shock Sensitive Materials

We have listed materials that will not be accepted. We also reserve the right to refuse unidentified materials and large amounts of hazardous waste.