What is a Household Hazardous Waste Drop- off Day?

A household hazardous waste drop-off day is a community sponsored chance for residents to properly dispose of toxic materials. To protect public health and the environment, certain wastes should not be put in landfills or incinerated with ordinary household trash. Due to their toxicity or potential for pollution of groundwater and air, these materials should be collected and disposed of separately. Simply collect the materials around your home and transport them to the collection site. Follow the instructions posted in this flyer.

Note: the official flyer is available here as Household Hazardous Waste Flyer 2009 (2).pdf from the official town site.

For quick and convenient reference, most of the flyer's text is reproduced below.  Please access the official flyer for correct formatting and full content.  Any errors in transcription are the sole responsibility of Westborough.com.

What is Hazardous Waste?

Many of the common products that we use daily in our kitchen, bath, yard, garage, and basement can pose a hazard if handled and/or disposed of improperly. Improper handling or disposal of household hazardous waste can cause respiratory problems, burns, poisoning, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. They can also be harmful if swallowed, absorbed through the skin, or through the inhalation of vapors. Household toxics may be ignitable, corrosive, explosive, poisonous, or have other or a combination of dangerous properties.

Until the early 1980's practically all of this waste was thrown out along with ordinary household trash. For the most part, this material was deposited in landfills which had no lining or leachate collection systems. With the emergence of public awareness about hazardous waste in general, people began to realize that household hazardous waste poses as much of a threat to the environment as does industrial waste.

Contamination of our water and natural resources is a very real threat from the improper disposal of household hazardous wastes. Toxics that are drained on the land or rinsed down the drain, enter into groundwater sources or treatment plants and leach fields, which are incapable of handling these products. The result is eventual contamination of our water supplies with disastrous consequences.

DIRECTIONS TO THE DPW FACILITY

From the center of Town, at the rotary:

Milk St. (Rte. 135 West), past Rte.9, take the first right on Oak St. (Courthouse on corner), DPW is down 2 miles on the left.

OR:

East Main St. (Rte. 30 East), left on Lyman St., over Rte. 9, first left on Chauncy St. (Lake Chauncy on corner), DPW is down 1 mile on right.

COMMON QUESTIONS

1. Will any material be refused? Yes. The contractors reserve the right to refuse any material which is not deemed acceptable by the managing site chemist.

2. What if I can't identify a material? Keep materials in the original containers when possible. A chemist will be present to help with difficult identification.

3.            Will I have to wait in line? Yes. Expect a wait. The DPW gate will open at 7:30 am. Please do not arrive before 7:30 am. The gate will close promptly at 12 noon.

4. Will I be charged a fee? No, unless you have an unusually large quantity from one household. Contact Health Director Paul McNulty before September 24, at 366-3045, for details.

5. Do I have to prove I live in Westborough? Yes. Bring your driver's license.

6. Are businesses excluded from participating? Yes. Only household hazardous waste will be accepted, because its disposal is banned from the solid waste Transfer Station, with a few exceptions, such as Latex Paint. All commercial waste is banned from the Town Transfer Station.

7. Can I bring a neighbor's materials?

Yes. Bring a list of the neighbor's materials, and include their name, address, and phone number.

8. Should I bring empty or nearly empty containers?

No. It is o.k. to put these in your regular trash. Please do not bring empty containers to the collection day.

Please remember, the "best" method of disposal for paints, solvents, cleaners, unrestricted pesticides, hobby supplies, pool chemicals, auto supplies, etc., is proper use. If these types of products are not banned, restricted, or outdated, use according to their label instructions or give to a neighbor to use.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIES

Brake & Transmission Fluid Antifreeze

Car Cleaners & Wax Motor Oil

Engine & Radiator Flush Vehicle Batteries

Gasoline / Diesel / Kerosene Engine Degreaser

PAINTS & SOLVENTS

Oil Based and Latex Paint Wood Strippers

Lead / Mercury Paint Spray Paint

Turpentine & Paint Thinner Adhesives

Cleaning Fluids Spray Lubricants

Wood Preservatives & Stains Driveway Sealant

UNRESTRICTED PESTICIDES

Flea Control Products Herbicides

Fertilizer w/Pesticides Fungicides

Ant & Roach/Wasp Spray Insecticides

Snail / Slug / Rat Poison No-pest Strips

Houseplant Insecticides

HOBBY SUPPLIES

Chemistry Sets Photo Chemicals

Silk Screen Inks / Solvents Rubber Cement

Shellac & Lacquer Pool Chemicals

Solvent Based Glue Muriatic Acid

Gun Cleaning Solvents Propane Tanks

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS & MISC.

Drain / Oven / Floor Cleaners Spot Remover

Arts & Crafts Supplies Moth Balls

Moth Balls Dry Clean Fluid

Furniture & Metal Polish Dyes

Old Pills / Medicine All Batteries

Fluorescent Lamps Cosmetics

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