Household Hazardous Waste, Mercury, Batteries and Medication Disposal

Household Hazardous Waste

  • Place accepted materials in cardboard box.
  • Keep items in original packaging
  • Improper disposal of hazardous waste materials can react, explode or create toxic fumes, contaminate soil and ground water, and endanger the health & safety of people & animals.

Materials accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Day (September):

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Mercury-Containing Products

Mercury is an element that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly.  Mercury won’t harm you or the environment as long as it stays inside the product and is handled properly when you are finished with it.

 

1.) Never throw glass thermometers, old thermostats, or  fluorescent lamps in the trash.

2.) Store mercury-containing products in a safe place, such as an unbreakable plastic container, away from children and pets.

3.) Dispose of these products safely. 

Fluorescent Lamps

All fluorescent lamps contain mercury. Even the energy compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain a very small amount of mercury. Please bring all types of fluorescent lamps to the Transfer Station. Fluorescent lamps should be given to attendants for proper storage.

Other Mercury Containing Products

Other products, such as barometers, blood pressure units, flow meters, cooking thermometers, mercury switches, and button cell batteries may contain mercury. Mercury containing devices may be brought to Household Hazardous Waste Day, once a year in September.

Battery Disposal

Nickel-cadmium rechargeable-batteries exist in many sizes and shapes marked RECHARGEABLE-some may be built into rechargeable appliances. NiCad contains cadmium, a metal that is toxic to humans when inhaled or ingested. Recycle Do Not dispose of in the trash.

Button batteries (small, round, silver-colored, used in watches and hearing aids): Many button batteries contain mercury, a metal that is toxic to humans when inhaled or ingested. Many stores selling watches or hearing aids will accept spent button batteries. Do not dispose of in the trash. Hold for Household Hazardous Waste Day

Lithium batteries (AA, C, 9 volt and button; mainly used in computers and cameras) Lithium is reactive with water, and has caused serious fires. Hold for Household Hazardous Waste day. Do not put in trash.

 

Unwanted Medication

Police Department will take your prescriptions 24/7
They do not accept needles - Board of Health collects needles

Expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications from households should never be disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or a drain. Although this method of disposal prevents accidental ingestion, it can cause contamination to the aquatic environment because wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove many of these medications.