Household Hazardous Waste

Since 1989, the Regional Water Authority has been operating HazWaste Central to properly dispose of household hazardous waste like pesticides and toxic cleaners from residents for free, and from small businesses by appointment, to prevent them from contaminating our drinking water. 

They are open on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm from mid-May through October and are located at 90 Sargent Drive in New Haven (Long Wharf).

For more information and a listing of acceptable material please click here.”Safe & Free Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste for more information and a listing of acceptable materials.

Paint Recycling

In July 2013, a new Connecticut law requiring the recycling of postconsumer architectural paint went into effect.  Under the new program, the paint industry has set up drop-off sites throughout the state where consumers can take their unwanted paint. At this time the Transfer Station does not accept paint.  Unwanted paints/stains can be brought to HazWaste Central at 90 Sargent Drive in New Haven, or to one the drop off locations listed below. 

Please check the PaintCare website for additional locations and a list of acceptable materials. 

Local PaintCare dropoff sites include:

Prescription Drug Disposal

Most drugs can, and should, be thrown out in with your household trash.  Please read the following information from the US Food & Drug Administration on "How to Dispose of Medicines Properly".

There are a small number of medicines that the Food and Drug Administration recommends be flushed as they may be especially harmful (or fatal) if used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed.  Here is a list of such medicines.

Waste Oil

The Transfer Station offers a tank for disposal of used motor oil.  “Used motor oil” includes crank case oil and other types of oils, such as transmission fluid, power steering fluid and hydraulic fluid. These oils may come from any type of motorized vehicles, including cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, lawn care vehicles, and snow blowers. “Used motor oil” does NOT include other vehicle fluids, such as antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, or fuels (including gasoline and diesel fuel).  It also does not include used oil that is generated through the maintenance of commercial vehicles. 

Batteries

The town recycles rechargeable batteries along with its other electronic waste at the Transfer Station.
Alkaline batteries (typical single use batteries) do not contain heavy metals and can be disposed of in your regular household trash.  
Car batteries and other large storage batteries are not accepted at the Transfer Station.   They should be returned to any store which sells them. 
 

Mercury Thermostats

Mercury is a heavy metal that can accumulate in living tissue. Exposure to mercury, when released into the environment through spills or incineration, can be toxic to humans and wildlife, or cause other health effects such as neurological and reproductive disorders.  In order to increase the recovery of mercury thermostats, in 2012 the Connecticut legislature passed Public Act 12-54, AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MANUFACTURER MERCURY THERMOSTAT COLLECTION AND RECYCLING PROGRAMS. The law requires manufacturers to establish a collection system for the recovery of mercury thermostats. Under the provisions of that law, manufacturers, wholesalers and qualified contractors, demolition contractors, and every person each have responsibilities under the law.

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) is a non-profit organization established in 1998 by the manufacturers of mercury thermostats. In response to the law, the TRC has set up a program to recover and recycle mercury thermostats using a network of collection sites, primarily wholesalers that carry thermostats.  Please visit the TRC Webpage for a current list of local dropoff locations at http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/statelaws/connecticut   Or bring your mercury and mercury containing products to HazWaste Central.