TownDumps

Massachusetts guide

Household hazardous waste in Massachusetts

Most Massachusetts transfer stations refuse everyday household chemicals as a routine drop-off. Towns run scheduled Household Hazardous Waste days, and MassDEP lists some regional and private facilities that accept residents.

Facts checked against Mass.gov and town sources on 2026-11-05.

MassDEP starting points

  • MassDEP's household hazardous products page lists facilities open to all municipalities, member-town sites, and host-town-only sites. Call ahead for items accepted, fees, and hours.
  • Latex paint can often be dried and trashed when fully hardened. Oil-based products usually need an HHW event. See the paint guide.
  • Propane tanks, rechargeable batteries, and mercury products have separate MassDEP notes on the same page.

Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products.

What towns on TownDumps say

  • Amherst - Collection events; motor oil not accepted at station.
  • Attleboro - Paint accepted only on Household Hazardous Waste days (oil paint or aerosol only; no latex). Latex paint should be dried, bagged, and put in trash. Use city HHW events for other hazardous materials.
  • Barnstable - Household hazardous waste is handled at scheduled Swap Shop-adjacent HHW collection dates published with Swap Shop closures. Confirm current HHW event details with Solid Waste at 508-420-2258.
  • Bourne - Bourne ISWM hosts household hazardous waste collection days (regional schedule April through October, dates TBA). Mercury devices for sticker holders via ISWM.
  • Brewster - Waste oil and filters: no charge. Broader HHW via regional Cape collections.
  • Bridgewater - No hazardous waste accepted at the Transfer Station. Use regional household hazardous waste events.
  • Carver - Follow Wareham / regional HHW guidance from Wareham Trash Services.
  • Chatham - Paint Shed and Mercury Shed on site. Regional HHP second Saturday May-October at Harwich Transfer Station.
  • Dartmouth - Not accepted except at specially designated Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District household hazardous waste events. Call District 508-763-5924 for schedules.
  • Dennis - 2026 HHW collections June 6, August 1, and September 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tony Kent Arena, 8 South Gages Way, South Dennis. Check Cape Cod Cooperative Extension for the next schedule.
  • Eastham - Regional Barnstable County / Orleans reciprocal collections; not drop-in HHW at the Transfer Station.
  • Falmouth - Many universal wastes are accepted in marked sheds. Broader household hazardous waste: use regional collection events. Falmouth residents may also use Bourne ISWM as guests for a fee under Bourne's terms.
  • Framingham - Universal waste free during open hours; annual Hazardous Waste Day for broader HHW.
  • Greenfield - Residents call 413-772-1539; paint fees on table.
  • Harwich - Scheduled HHW collections only; confirm with DPW before bringing chemicals.
  • Hingham - Confirm HHW events with Hingham DPW; recycling contamination can reject whole loads.
  • Kingston - No chemicals/HHW at the center. Used motor oil and auto batteries accepted per FY27 rules; regional HHW for other chemicals.
  • Mashpee - Periodic free HHP / textile / shredding and latex paint collection events are posted on the Transfer Station page. Sharps containers via DPW at 350 Meetinghouse Road. Unused prescriptions: Police Station lobby drop box.
  • Middleborough - Seasonal paint collection Apr 1 to Oct 31 (6 gal/day max). Used oil and antifreeze with 5 gal limits. Other HHW banned; Clean Harbors 800-444-4244 for guidance.
  • Needham - Fluorescent tubes free. Other HHW via Paint Days / regional events.
  • Northampton - Limited Locust fees; confirm events.
  • Orleans - Waste oil, antifreeze, gasoline, fluorescent tubes, and auto/boat batteries free per fee schedule; other HHW via regional Cape collections.
  • Plymouth - Confirm mercury, paint, and needle options via town Solid Waste links. Difficult to Manage Waste is a separate pay-by-weight area (508-224-8936). Use regional household hazardous waste events when offered.
  • Sandwich - Not listed as a routine drop-off on the fees page. Use regional household hazardous waste events. Confirm with Sanitation Manager for special collections.
  • Taunton - City Hazardous Waste Days are listed on the collection calendar (for example Saturday August 22, 2026). Not a routine Convenience Center service for full HHW.
  • Wareham - Free disposal on the town's annual Hazardous Waste Day. Not a routine Transfer Station drop-off for hazardous materials.
  • Wellesley - Monthly paint collection Apr-Oct (first Thursday 3-6 p.m.). Next full HHW listed spring 2027.
  • Worcester - Free Household Hazardous Waste Day events typically about four times per year by appointment. See the city Household Hazardous Waste page. Motor oil is not accepted in the cooking oil program.
  • Yarmouth - Unmanaged hazardous wastes are not allowed. Use regional HHW events. Oil and antifreeze drop-off areas are noted in the residential recycle rotary description.

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