How should HHW be disposed?
Proper disposal of HHW is very important. Improper disposal of HHW can cause problems for the entire community. Wastes can be explosive or highly flammable. Hazardous wastes can also be corrosive. One of the worst ways to dispose of hazardous materials is to “just dump them down the drain.” Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to handle hazardous wastes nor are home septic systems. Disposing of hazardous wastes in a landfill causes groundwater and surface water pollution. Homeowners are advised to wait until their community has an HHW Collection. Many communities host a one-day collection event or collect HHW ongoing during certain times of the year. For information on HHW collections in your area, please contact your community’s Recycling Coordinator (PDF) or visit Earth 911. Some items can be properly disposed of without waiting for a community collection. For disposal options for many HHW or Hard-to-Manage wastes, visit MassDEP’s Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Hou
