Household Hazardous Waste Day

The City of Worcester holds two annual drop-off days specifically for household hazardous waste. The program is free for Worcester residents to participate. Household hazardous waste drop-off is by appointment only on the dates below. We will only accept waste from Worcester residents and proof of residency is required. We reserve the right to refuse unidentified materials and large amounts of hazardous waste. Limit of 25 gallons or 25 pounds.

Date/Time of Next Hazardous Waste Day: Saturday March 15th, 2025 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: 1065 Millbury St, Worcester, MA 01607

Hazardous Waste Day Appointment

What to Bring to the Collection - Old & Unwanted

• Car-Related Materials

  Waste Fuels (NO MOTOR OIL)

  Kerosene

  Gasoline

  Engine Degreaser

  Carburetor Cleaner

  Brake Fluid

  Car Wax & Polishes

  Antifreeze

• Household Materials

  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

  Aerosol Cans (NOT EMPTY, dispose of empty cans in yellow city trash bag)

• Lawn & Garden Materials

  Poisons

  Insecticides

  Fungicides

  Chemical Fertilizers

  Weed Killer

  Mothballs

  No-Pest Strips

  Flea Powder

  Driveway Sealer

  Charcoal Lighter Fluid

• Oil-Based Paint Materials

  Oil-based paints, stains & varnishes (NO LATEX PAINT)

  Paint thinner, solvents & strippers

  Wood Preservatives

  Solvent Adhesives

  Roofing Tar

What Will Not Be Accepted?

• 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
• 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

Safe Needs and Syringe Disposal

Many Worcester residents use syringes to manage a variety of health conditions at home, such as diabetes, allergies, multiple sclerosis and others. To protect residents, sanitation workers and the environment, it is necessary to safely dispose of needles, syringes and lancets (sharps).

Locations for Safe Syringe Disposal in Worcester

Contact the Needle Disposal Site in advance to determine restrictions and disposal schedules:

• AIDS Project Worcester
  484 Main Street
  508-755-3773
• Edward M. Kennedy Community Health
  19 Tacoma Street
  508-852-1805
• City of Worcester, Division of Public Health
  25 Meade Street
  508-799-8531
• Family Health Center
  26 Queen Street
  508-860-7750
• Worcester Senior Center
  128 Providence Street
  508-799-1232

Mail-Back Options

If you can't visit a drop-off center in Worcester, consider using a mail-back service. They provide a variety of container sizes and prepaid mailing cartons. The State recommends these services:

• Medasend: 800-200-3581
• Stericycle: 800-355-8773
• Sharps Compliance, Inc.: 800-772-5657

How to Dispose of Used Syringes

Used syringes and other sharps should always be placed in a sharps container and disposed of safely - either at a local drop-off site or in a mail-back program. Do not clip, bend or recap needles. Always keep sharps and containers away from children and pets.

Do Not Put Syringes in the Trash

Disposing of needles in anything other than a safe needle disposal container is against the law and could result in fines. Throwing needles in the trash or recycling bins can risk the health and safety of the public and City workers.

Tips Regarding Hazardous Waste

Reduce household hazardous waste by avoiding products whose labels contain these words: Caustic, Combustible, Corrosive, Flammable, Oxidizer, Poison, Toxic, Caution, Danger, and Warning. Substitute a natural or non-hazardous product or practice.

Substances can leach into ground water if poured down the drain, thrown in the trash or dumped directly onto the ground.