Household Hazardous Waste Collection In Town Of Wakefield Is Scheduled For August 29

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

August 25, 2020

Did you know that many products found in your home are potentially hazardous substances? On Saturday, August 29, the towns of Wakefield and Reading will co-host a hazardous waste collection event at Wakefield High School located at 60 Farm Street. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., residents can bring approved materials for safe and proper disposal. A driver’s license or other government-issued identification will be required to show residency.

For the safety of staff and guests, please wear a face covering and remain in your vehicle. Items will only be accepted from pickup truck beds, trunks, and the back of SUV’s. Items from the seat areas of vehicles or materials handed to workers will not be accepted. Containers, including gas containers and storage totes, will not be returned.

Due to their chemical nature, hazardous substances can poison, corrode, explode, or ignite easily when handled improperly. It is illegal to dispose of household toxins in the trash, storm drains, in the ground, or down the drain. This event will allow the community to discard these items properly.

What to bring to the event:

• From the house: Drain cleaners, oven cleaners, furniture polish, metal polish, arts and crafts supplies, photo chemicals, floors cleaners, window cleaners, dry cleaning fluids, and radiator cleaners.
• From the garage: Car tires, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid, wax polish, engine and radiator flushes, and transmission fluid.
• From the yard/garden: Pesticides, herbicides, insect sprays, rodent killers, pool chemicals, muriatic acid, no-pest strips, and cesspool cleaners.
• From the workbench: Rust preservatives, wood preservatives, wood strippers, oil/lead-based paint, paint thinner, solvents, degreasers, and sealant.

What not to bring to the event:

This event cannot accommodate disposal of the following materials: Commercial waste, latex paint, propane tanks, televisions and CRTs, asbestos, ammunition, biologically active, radioactive, or explosive materials, lithium batteries, trash (will be taken by regular weekly trash pickup), septage (must be removed by licensed hauler), recyclables, organic peroxides, smoke detectors, motor oil, PCBs, fire extinguishers, gas cylinders, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, leaves, grass clippings, and brush.

If you have any questions about the event, or materials that will be accepted, connect with our Department of Public Works at (781) 246-6301.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.