Special Collections – Latex Paint / HHP / Document Shredding

Latex Paint Collection

There are 6 latex paint collection days planned for 2024.   We’ll be collecting on the First Saturdays from May to October: May 4, June 1, July 6,  August 3, September 7 and October 5.  This is one week AFTER Household Hazardous Waste collection in April and three weeks BEFORE our last Household Hazardous Waste collection in October.   Once left with us, the paint may be put out for reuse, dried up and disposed of or sent out for recycling.

Read below if you wish to dry this up on your own.  Check with your trash hauler to determine if the lid needs to be off or on the can once the paint is dried up.

Pricing below.

We will accept latex, acrylic, or water-based non-alkyd paints in their original containers.  Do not consolidate paints.  All containers must have the original, readable label.  If they are not labeled, in a different container than the original or otherwise not readable, please bring them on Hazardous Waste Days.

How do I know if it’s water or oil-based?

Water-based paint

• will have “latex,” “water-based,” or “acrylic” on the label
•  cleans up with just soap and water
• if none of these words are found, we must assume it is oil-based

Oil-based  paint

• will have “oil-based” or “alkyd” on the label
• it may also say “flammable” or “combustible”
• cleans up with paint thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits, or solvent
• NOTE: Latex Alkyds are considered oil-based due to the addition of the alkyd

If you cannot read the label, it has no label, or the paint has been consolidated or is not in the original container, we must assume it is oil-based. You can bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste collection.

The paint may be put out for reuse or recycled.   If its not usable it will be disposed of properly.   Please help us make this effort a success by not bringing any hazardous waste (oil or alkyd paint) or unreadable paint cans on these non-HHP days.

NOTE:  You can save some money and dry paint yourself by doing the following: 

• Pour a thin layer on something waterproof and leave to dry.   Warm sunny days speed this along.
• Mix in an equal amount of kitty litter and leave it to dry.   A week or two often is enough for a fairly full can.   
• Other mix ins we’ve tried: sawdust or shredded paper.  These work slower than kitty litter. 

Once dried, you can put the dried paint into your regular trash.  There is nothing ‘hazardous’ in the dried latex paint.  

Household Hazardous Products (HHP)

HHP Flyer – English (pdf)       HHP Flyer – Spanish (pdf)

 

HHP ONLY events

Saturdays: April 27 and October 26, 2024 from 9am to 1pm.    The rest of the site (including the building) will be closed.  Only residents of the 7 member towns may bring HHP.  Please have an ID ready.

 

Household Hazardous Products (HHP)   Pricing

Minimum Fee	Up to 3 Gallons or Pounds	$30
Half Load	>3 to 10 Gallons or Pounds	$60
Full Load	>10 to 25 Gallons or Pounds	$100

If you have more than 25 gallons/lbs or a highly toxic/dangerous item, please contact us via the website or call (978) 464-2854 and tell us:  1. What you have;  2. How much;  3. Container sizes so we can advise you on how to pack safely and schedule a time for you to bring it.

 —> Do not bring Latex or Acrylic paint to HHP days unless it is Alkyd.   You can dispose of non-Alkyd, dried latex paint cans in your regular trash or bring it to us on Latex collection days for reuse and recycling.

—> Do not mix items.   Leave in the original container if possible.  

 —> Please pack items so they can be easily assessed/counted at Check In.   All containers assumed full.

 —> All materials must be placed in your trunk, truck beds or back cargo area. Materials will not be taken from vehicle interiors and no materials may be handed out the window.

—> Containers will not be returned. They are deemed contaminated by whatever you brought in. Plan ahead to gather plastic totes or cardboard boxes you will not want back.   Pour gasoline into another safe container if you want to keep your gas cans.

 —> We cannot accept waste from commercial businesses. Please use personal vehicles for transportation to avoid misunderstanding. If we have reason to suspect the material is from commercial use, we have the right to refuse to accept it.

 —> On these 2 extra Saturdays, the rest of the site is CLOSED.

ALWAYS ACCEPTED ON NON HHP DAYS:  Universal Hazardous Waste items such as fluorescent light bulbs and tubes; household batteries and thermometers and thermostats may be dropped off in Center Circle any day that the site is open to the public.   Car batteries, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, electronics and appliances with refrigerants may be dropped off in the North 40 any day that the site is open to the public (there is a fee for some of these items). You do not have to store those items for an HHP collection day.

OTHER OPTIONS:  Motor Oil – check with your DPW or any local garage.  They may take it for no fee.   Full or nearly full containers of paints, cleaning agents, paint strippers, sealers, varnishes etc – try ReStore or post online for free.

NEVER ACCEPTED: Prescription medicines, sharps/needles, ammunition, explosives or flares. (Check your town’s websites for information on where to bring them in your town) We also do not accept radioactive material or waste containing PCBs.

 

Document Shredding

 

Document Shredding –  There are 3 dates planned for confidential document shredding in 2024: May 18, 2024, August 17, 2024, October 19, 2024.   On these Saturday’s the rest of the site will also be open as usual.

Please bring ONLY confidential documents to be shred so we don’t run out of space in the truck.   Please recycle non-confidential materials (envelopes, folders, inserts) in your regular curbside recycling or in our Mixed Paper Recycling container in Center Circle on any day that we are open.

The first 2 boxes are free.