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Community Corner

Household Hazardous Waste Collection


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, October 19 from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  The event will be held at John F. Kennedy High School (422 Highland Avenue) in Waterbury.  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 Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley 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 for the first time. 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:  oil- and latex-based paints and stains, thermometers and thermostats containing mercury, drain and oven cleaners, upholstery cleaners, wood cleaners, strippers and varnishes, pesticides, poisons, pool and photo chemicals, automotive cleaners and fluids, grease and rust solvents, aerosols, and metal polishes.

Items that will not be accepted include: auto batteries, motor oil, propane tanks, compressed gas cylinders, asbestos, smoke detectors, explosives, radioactive or medical waste, grout, joint compound, and empty containers of any kind. The contractor reserves the right to reject additional materials.

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.

Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle and information will be given on how to dispose of them.  For further information, please contact your town representative listed below:

Beacon Falls: (203) 729-6978      Public Works Garage
Bethlehem:    (203) 266-7677     Town Hall 
Middlebury:    (203) 577-4170      Daniel Norton
Naugatuck:    (203) 720-7073      Sheila Baummer
Oxford:          (203) 888-7716      Wayne Watt
Southbury:    (203) 262-0622       Jeannette Kilcourse 
Thomaston:   (860) 283-4030      Glenn Clark
Waterbury:    (203) 574-6857      Bureau of Refuse
Watertown:   (860) 945-5240      Roy Cavanaugh
Woodbury:    (203) 263-3633       Margaret Warner

 
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