Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection on April 22
A Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection Day is scheduled for the towns of Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, and Woodbury for Saturday, April 22 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The event will be held at the Southbury Town Hall, 501 Main Street South. The collection starts promptly at 8:00 A.M. There is no need to line up before 8:00 A.M.
There is no charge to residents. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill, or other identification, is required for entrance. The event is sponsored by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and participating towns.
Household hazardous wastes are any wastes produced in the home that are poisonous, flammable, reactive, or corrosive. These wastes are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. The goal of the program is to keep potentially hazardous waste out of local landfills and sewers, providing extra protection for wetlands and waterways. In addition, residents may now bring latex (water-based) paint to the collection event. While not considered hazardous waste, the latex paint will be accepted as part of a new statewide paint product stewardship program.
Examples of wastes that will be accepted include: Mercury and Mercury thermometers, Drain & Oven Cleaners, Upholstery Cleaners, Poisons, Insecticides, Wood Cleaners, Aerosols, Metal Polishers, Pool & Photo Chemicals, Automotive Cleaners & Fluids, Grease & Rust Solvents, Alkaline Batteries, and Fluorescent Bulbs.
Up to 50 lbs. of residential waste will be accepted per vehicle. Residents should leave materials in the original container whenever possible. When arriving at the collection site, residents are asked to stay in their cars at all times. Trained waste handlers will remove materials from the cars.
Beginning July 1, 2013, Connecticut instituted a statewide paint recycling program known as PaintCare. PaintCare provides free recycling of architectural paint by placing a small fee on newly purchased paint. Acceptable paints will be collected at HHW events.
Acceptable Paints: Interior and exterior architectural paints, latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel, deck coatings, floor paints, primers, sealers, undercoatings, field and lawn paints stains, shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component), waterproofing sealers (except tar or bitumen based), metal coatings, rust preservatives. Containers larger than 5 gallons will not be accepted.
Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle and information will be given on how to dispose of them.