New Canaan To Hold Household Hazardous Waste Day Event

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan residents eager to properly dispose of items such as gasoline, aerosol cans and more can do so at an upcoming event in town.

On Sept. 10, the town will hold a household hazardous waste day event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Street entrance of the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

In a news release, town officials described household hazardous waste as "any improperly discarded product that can be classified as toxic (poisonous), corrosive, flammable or reactive (explosive)."

These products can be found in most homes, garages or workshops and, when improperly disposed of, can poison people and animals and pollute homes and natural environments, town officials said.

Reading label precautions can identify many of these products, with the following words being good identifiers: poison, corrosive, toxic, volatile, flammable, caution, danger or warning.

The following items will be accepted during the event:

• Oil based paints
• Stains and varnishes
• Wood preservatives
• Paint strippers/thinners
• Aerosol cans
• Adhesives
• Fuels/Gasoline/Kerosene
• Engine cleaner
• Brake fluid
• Car wax, polishes
• Driveway sealers
• Roofing tar
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Insecticides, pesticides
• Chemical fertilizers
• Weed killers
• Moth balls
• Flea control products
• From the house:
• Rubber cement
• Fiberglass resins
• Photo chemicals
• Chemistry sets
• Furniture polish
• Floor and metal polish
• Oven cleaners
• Drain and toilet cleaners
• Spot removers
• Rug and upholstery cleaners
• Fluorescent light bulbs

The following items will not be accepted:

• Latex paints
• Empty containers
• Commercial generated wastes
• Radioactive wastes/Smoke detectors
• Biological wastes
• Explosives
• Ammunition
• Tires
• Asbestos
• Prescription medicines/Syringes
• Oil and antifreeze
• Car batteries
• Dry cell batteries
• Propane tanks

Those who attend the event are asked to have their driver's license or registration readily available. Commercial loads will be accepted.

To transport these materials safely, residents are asked to bring materials in original containers securely closed, pack containers in sturdy and upright boxes padded with newspaper if necessary.

Never mix chemicals together or smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials, according to town officials. Leaking or broken containers must be contained.

Residents are also asked not to leave their vehicle unless instructed to do so, town officials said.