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: TBA
Location: 1065 Millbury St, Worcester, MA 01607
Schedule An Appointment
Hazardous Waste Days are typically held once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Appointments are scheduled for a 30 minute timeframe and can be scheduled up to 48 hours before the desired appointment date/time.
What to Bring to the Collection - Old & Unwanted
- Waste Fuels (NO MOTOR OIL)
- Kerosene
- Gasoline
- Engine Degreaser
- Carburetor Cleaner
- Brake Fluid
- Car Wax & Polishes
- Antifreeze
- 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)
- Poisons
- Insecticides
- Fungicides
- Chemical Fertilizers
- Weed Killer
- Mothballs
- No-Pest Strips
- Flea Powder
- Driveway Sealer
- Charcoal Lighter Fluid
- 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
Sharps 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.
Contact Information
Address
Residential Drop-Off Center
1065 Millbury Street
Worcester, MA 01607
Contact
Phone: 508-929-1300
Hours
Varies