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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
Saturday, April 25, 2009 &
Saturday, September 26, 2009
at Marshall Simonds Middle School

The Burlington Board of Health is sponsoring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days on April 25, 2009 and September 26, 2009 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Marshall Simonds Middle School located at 114 Winn Street.

Items To Bring

**NEW ITEM** - Medical Sharps (needles, syringes and lancets) in rigid, puncture-proof containers (i.e. sharps container, sealed bleach bottle or coffee can). See NOTE at bottom of this list.

Aerosol cans - containing chemicals.
Asbestos - small items such as brake pads, ironing board covers and asbestos paper. Material may not exceed 2 square or linear feet and must be wetted, double-bagged & labeled.
Automotive batteries
Automotive products - oil, brake fluid, car wax, gasoline, antifreeze, engine degreaser
Batteries - lead acid, button cell, nickel-cadmium and lithium. Alkaline (A, AAA, C, D, etc.) can be thrown in household trash.
Fluorescent light bulbs - transport in box or case to prevent breakage. Do not tape together.
Glues and adhesives
Hobby chemicals - chemistry sets, solvent based glue, photo chemicals
Mercury containing products-thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent lamps, button cell batteries
Paint - oil-based only
Pesticides - including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizer with pesticides, snail/slug/rat poison
Pool chemicals
Propane tanks – up to 20 pound (gas grill) size only
Thinners and solvents - turpentine, paint stripper, paint thinner, degreaser

**NOTE**During this collection event, the medical sharps collection vendor will have medical sharps containers available for sale ($6.00 each - cash only - EXACT CHANGE ONLY, PLEASE)

Items NOT To Bring

Appliances - contact the Town’s solid waste contractor, BFI, at 800-442-9006 to schedule curbside pickup
Biological or Infectious Waste
Empty paint cans or aerosol cans
Explosives
Floor Tiles
Latex Paint - pour residual paint in a large cardboard box lined with newspaper. If there is more than residual paint in the can, mix with kitty litter to promote hardening. Once paint in can and/or box is dry, place in regular trash.
Oversized amounts - no 30-55 gallon drums or truck loads
Non-hazardous generated wastes
Pathological wastes and medical devices
Radioactive materials
Sand, street sweepings or other absorbent materials
Tires - one rimless tire may be left out for regular trash pickup each week
Unclassified construction materials -asbestos siding, shingles, transite board

Guidelines for Transporting Waste

It is important to remember that proper handling and transportation of hazardous waste can reduce the chance of accidental spills. For your safety and the safety of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Personnel, please adhere to the following protocols:

  • Do not mix products/chemicals together.
  • Keep products in original containers with labels intact, if possible.
  • Label products not in original containers.
  • Place materials in containers or plastic over wrap that does not obscure labels.
  • Leaking or broken containers must be repackaged prior to transport. Make sure all lids, caps and covers are tight.
  • Transport containers in a sturdy cardboard box. Pack so material and containers do not contact or tip into each other.
  • Store products away from the passenger compartment of your vehicle and keep them separate from items you wish to keep.
  • Do not smoke at the collection site.
  • Do not leave your vehicle during unloading of the materials, unless directed to do so.
  • In order to speed the collection process and serve as many residents as possible, containers cannot be returned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will any material be refused? Yes. We reserve the right to refuse any material which is not deemed acceptable by the managing site chemist.
What if I can’t identify a material? Keep materials in original containers when possible. A chemist will help with difficult identifications.
Is there a charge? Not unless you have an unusually large amount of materials to be disposed.
How do I know if a product is hazardous? Look for the words Poison, Danger, Warning or Caution on the packaging label. A hazardous product has at least one of the following properties: toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF…

Household appliances and computer monitors? Household appliances (stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers), computer monitors and televisions will be picked up curbside by the Town’s solid waste contractor, BFI. Call BFI at 800-442-9006 and ask for customer service to schedule a pick up before placing appliances curbside.

Latex Paint?  If paint can contains only a small amount of paint, place can in a secure, ventilated area and remove lid to promote hardening of residual paint. You can also mix in some kitty litter to promote hardening. If more than residual paint is left in can, pour paint in a large cardboard box lined with newspaper. Once paint in can and/or box is dry, throw away with household trash.

Smoke Detectors?  The radioactive source in smoke detectors is so small that it is not considered hazardous and can be thrown away in your household trash. If the battery is non-alkaline (e.g. Nickel-Cadmium or Lithium), recycle it at the Household Hazardous Waste collection event or bring it to the Board of Health office at 61 Center Street.

Construction Materials?  Make sure your contractor removes these materials (pressure treated wood, shingles, roofing material, etc.) when the project is complete. These materials cannot be placed in household trash and they will not be accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Day. If you have these materials, contact a local trash removal company for disposal.

Home Medical Waste?  Unwanted or expired medicines or pharmaceuticals, disposable sheets, medical gloves and soiled bandages should be wrapped well in plastic bags and place in your household trash. Do not pour them down the drain. Individuals who have received cancer treatment drugs or radioactive medicines should follow specific instructions issued by the hospital regarding disposal of radioactive waste materials.

Fire Extinguishers?  The two most common types include dry chemical (sodium bicarbonate or monoammonium phosphate) and carbon dioxide (CO2), both of which are not hazardous.  To empty contents, discharge outside, away from children or pets. Monoammonium phosphate is an irritant to eyes and the respiratory tract. Wear goggles and particulate mask when discharging extinguisher.

Dry chemical extinguishers

  • May be discharged in an area where an acidic fertilizer would be used such as around evergreens. Do not use on lawns.
  • When relieving the pressure (emptying) the container for disposal, review manufacturers' instructions, or, if unavailable, use the PASS technique
    • Pull the pin: this unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher. Some extinguishers may have other seals or tamper indicators.
    • Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the base of the item.
    • Squeeze the lever above the handle: this discharges the extinguishing agent. Releasing the lever will stop the discharge. (Some extinguishers have a button instead of a lever.)
    • Sweep from side to side.
  • After pressure has been relieved (when nothing else comes out) remove the head from the container and place it with scrap metal or in the trash.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers

  • These extinguishers are refillable and should be refilled after each use. Check Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers - Recharging.
  • If the extinguisher becomes defective, drill holes in the cylinder after pressure has been relieved and then place in the trash.
  • Ask fire equipment companies in your area if they will accept used extinguishers (listed in the Yellow Pages).

Very old fire extinguishers

  • Consult fire department. Very old fire extinguishers may contain carbon tetrachloride, a known carcinogen.
  • Take to Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

For information on curbside recycling of plastic, glass, aluminum and newspaper, please contact the DPW at 781-270-1670.

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Board of Health contact:

781-270-1955

Nurses contact:

781-270-1957

Hours:
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8:30AM-4:30PM

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