Saturday is Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Before hazardous waste makes it down the drain, Peabody will host its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday.

Peabody residents can dispose of their waste in an environmentally friendly manner from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Services located at 50 Farm Ave. Residents are allowed to dispose of 25 gallons, or 25 pounds, of waste. Residents will be charged $20 per household and the fee is payable by check to “City of Peabody.” The City also will collect electronic items for an additional fee of $20 per item.

Peabody hosts the event to keep hazardous waste out of the sewer system, Sharon Cameron, the director of Health and Human Services, said.

“Hazardous waste imposes a risk to groundwater or any other sensitive environmental area,” she said. “Most of the collected waste is incinerated which is a better way to dispose of the products.”

Hazardous waste includes materials such as oil-based paints, stains and varnishes, paint thinners, lighter fluid, gasoline, transmission fluid, car polishes, swimming pool chemicals, insecticides, weed killers, moth balls, household cleaners and polishes and much more. Visit the City of Peabody website for a full list of hazardous materials.

Residents should leave their latex paint at home because it’s not considered a hazardous waste and can be disposed of in a regular trashcan, Cameron said.

Essex County works together to dispose of hazardous waste. Residents from surrounding communities are invited to drop off their hazardous waste from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be required to pay the full fee of $19 for up to 3 pounds/gallons of waste, $24 for up to 10 pounds/gallons or $46 for up to 25 pounds/gallons of waste.

The next hazardous waste drop-off date will take place on June 25 at Stoneham High School, 179 Franklin St.