The average household in the US contains 15 pounds of hazardous products such as pesticides, cleaners, paints, and other chemicals. Using and disposing of these products properly is crucial to maintaining the health of our bodies and our environment. The best approach to managing hazardous products in the home is to:
- minimize the use of hazardous products and look for safer alternatives,
- read labels carefully,
- buy only what you need,
- use according to directions,
- store products safely, and
- use up the products or share what is left over.
The Newton Resource Recovery Center holds Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events by appointment on the first Saturday and the third Thursday of each month. Call the City’s customer service at 617-796-1000 to schedule an appointment. You must be a Newton resident. (Proof of residency is required.) No more than 5-gallons of a single material and no more than 12-gallons total. Examples of accepted materials:
- filled aerosol cans
- adhesives, glues, resins
- cleaners, spot removers, polishes
- oven, drain toilet cleaners
- hobby/artist supplies
- moth balls
- flea collar products
- fuels, gasoline, kerosene
- engine degreaser, brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, car polish
- pool chemicals
- pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, weed killers
- poisons
- oil-based paints, wood preservatives, paint strippers/thinners, solvents/varnishes, sealants
- nail polish and nail polish remover
- lighter fluid
Some products, which may have been considered hazardous in the past, can now be disposed of with the regular trash. These include:
- Alkaline batteries made since 1994 (AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt)
- Smoke detectors
- Latex paint (dry it out with sand or kitty litter, or purchase a hardener from a hardware store) OR bring usable (less than 3 years old) paint to the Latex Paint Exchange Shed at the Newton Resource Recovery Center
- Soiled bandages in plastic bags, securely fastened
- Driveway sealer (latex or oil based, with lid off)
Private Sector HHW Drop-Off Collection Options
If you are unable to attend Household Hazardous Waste events held at the Resource Recovery Center, you will need to contact a licensed Hazardous Waste handler.
- Clean Harbors accepts Household Hazardous Waste year-round for a fee at 1 Hill Ave, Braintree, MA. Call 781-380-7175 for drop off rates, specific dates, and times.
- New England Disposal Technologies drop off centers in Sutton and Westfield accept HHW from residents for a fee.
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