When cleaning out garages and sheds, understanding the proper methods of disposal for what you may find keeps you, your loved ones, and the environment safe. Many communities host Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events where residents can bring items such as old gasoline, oil-based paints, stains, thinners, lithium-primary batteries, elemental mercury, and mercury-containing products such as a thermometer, thermostat, or barometer. Towns may have pre-registration requirements and restrictions on volume or specific items, so please call ahead to be sure that your items will be accepted.
If your community does not host a HHW collection event or if the date has passed,
New England Disposal Technologies, Inc. (NEDT) accepts household hazardous wastes at their Sutton location. They can be reached at 866-769-1621.
Clean Harbors in Braintree also is open to the public and can be reached at 800-424-4424.
Latex paint is a common item that is typically NOT accepted at HHW events.
Latex paint cans that are empty or almost empty can be dried out and then disposed of in the trash. Full cans newer than ten years can be donated by reaching out to neighbors, listing on Facebook Marketplace or a local
Buy Nothing group or brought to select
Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Recycling latex paint is also an option.
ReColor Paints has various collection sites and drop off locations across the state and in certain situations, may be able to pick up large quantities. They can be reached at 833-732-6567.
According to the
RecycleSmartMA Recyclopedia, empty paint cans and empty spray cans should be discarded as trash. The searchable Recyclopedia has helpful disposal information for many other types of items that you may find in your garage, shed, house, or yard.
The
Center for EcoTechnology (CET) partners with Covanta to keep mercury and other difficult to manage items out of the waste stream. CET is an environmental nonprofit that helps businesses and people save energy and reduce waste. Covanta’s Energy-From-Waste facilities in Rochester and Haverhill generate enough electricity to power over 100,000 homes with clean renewable energy.
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Please contact Samantha Salvatore at
[email protected] with any questions