What to do with Specific Items
If you are unsure about how to recycle or dispose of a particular chemical, material or product, please see:
► MassDEP Guide to Safely Managing Hazardous Household Products
You may also want to check out Programs or Events in Your Community or Find a Collection Facility Near You below, or visit the Beyond the Bin Recycling Directory, to learn more about where you can dispose of hazardous household wastes.
Programs or Events in Your Community
To learn more about local hazardous household product collection sites or events - including days and hours - contact your community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. For contact information: Zoom in ( + ) on the map below, click on the icon for your city or town, and follow the link. Or see: Massachusetts City & Town Recycling Links
Find a Collection Facility Near You
The facilities listed in the tables below have been approved by the MassDEP to accept common household items that contain toxic chemicals and need to be handled properly.
Call facilities or check their web sites for complete lists of items accepted, fees, and days/hours of operation.
If there is no collection center near you, see Programs or Events in Your Community to learn about local recycling or disposal opportunities.
Open to Residents of All Municipalities
| Community | Facility | Telephone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braintree | Clean Harbors Inc. | 781-380-7177 | Private facility, open to all municipalities. Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, March through November, and by appointment. |
| Sutton | New England Disposal Technologies Inc. | 866-769-1621 | Private facility, open to all municipalities. Open 20 Saturdays and 100 weekdays per year, and by appointment. |
| Westfield | New England Disposal Technologies Inc. | 866-769-1621 | Private facility, open to all municipalities. Open year-round on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
Open to Residents of Member Municipalities
| Community | Facility | Telephone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable | Transfer Station | 508-420-2258 | Barnstable and Yarmouth residents. |
| Devens | Devens Regional HHW Facility | 978-501-3943 | Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Shirley and Townsend residents on the first Wednesday and following Saturday of each month, March through December. |
| Greenfield | Transfer Station and Water Pollution Control Plant | 413-772-1539 | Greenfield and Leyden residents. |
| Harwich | Transfer Station | 508-430-7558 | Brewster, Chatham and Harwich residents. |
| Lexington | Minuteman HHW Center | 781-698-4522 |
Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Chelmsford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Waltham and Watertown residents. Fees apply to residents of other municipalities. Open eight weekend days per year, April through November. |
Open to Residents of Host Municipality
| Community | Facility | Telephone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline | Recycling Center | 617-879-4908 | Brookline residents only whenever the Recycling Center is open. |
| Brockton | Recycle Depot | 508-580-7827 | Brockton residents only, Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Halifax | Recycling Center | 781-293-1732 | First Saturday of the month. |
| Nantucket | Department of Public Works |
508-228-7244 |
Nantucket only. Monthly collection 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, third Saturday of the month, April to December. |
| Newton | Resource Recovery Center |
617-796-1471 |
Newton residents only on Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., mid-May through mid October, and four Saturdays per year. |
| Norfolk | Recycling/Transfer Station | 508-528-4990 | Norfolk residents only, Wednesdays (11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., April through September; 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October through March) and Saturdays (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). |
| Somerville | Department of Public Works |
617-625-6600 ext. 5070 |
Somerville residents only on the second Saturday of the month, April through December. |
| Springfield | Hazardous Waste Collection Depot |
413-787-7840 |
Springfield residents only. |
| Sturbridge | Recycling Center |
508-347-2504 |
Sturbridge residents only on the third Saturday of the month, March through November. |
Recycle Fluorescent Bulbs & Mercury Products
Mercury is a natural heavy metal that is toxic to people and wildlife. It is found in fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, thermostats, and a range of other products.
Use MassDEP's interactive map to find nearby locations where you can safely dispose of mercury-containing products.
Additional Resources
Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs
It isn't a good idea to keep medications that aren't useful anymore. Disposing of these drugs will keep them away from people who shouldn't take them.
Use the interactive map below to find a kiosk in your area for disposing of expired or unneeded prescription drugs. Zoom in ( + ) and click on icons for addresses.
Note: Municipalities and organizations wanting to host one-time collections or permanent kiosks need to apply for a MassDEP waiver first.