HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) PROGRAM
Section Links
- HHW Event Results (2023)
- Lakes Region HHW Collection FAQ's
- Meetings & Event Dates
- Types of Hazardous Wastes - What items are accepted/unaccepted?
- Alternative Disposal Options - What if I missed the event?
- Resource Library (Misc) - links to other waste organizations
Who Can Participate?
Residents and taxpayers in these 21 participating communities may bring 10 gal. or 50 lbs. of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) to the collection site that is most convenient to them.
Participating Communities
Alexandria, Andover, Bridgewater, Bristol, Center Harbor, Effingham, Franklin, Gilford, Gilmanton, Hebron, Hill, Holderness, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tilton, and Tuftonboro
Types of Household Hazardous Wastes
How we dispose of common household products depends on the product's contents and its toxicity to people, animals, and the environment. Some materials, if entirely used, can be placed in the landfill, other items can be recycled, but the majority should be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection site.
Visit the NHDES website for specific information regarding:
paint, batteries, computers and electronics, fluorescent bulbs, mercury devices, and fluorescent lamp–ballast–mercury recycling facilities.
What can I bring to an HHW collection site?
NOTE: We will not be accepting any universal waste at the 2024 event. However, many transfer stations do take universal waste year round (batteries, fluorescent bulbs). Please check with your local facility or use the links below!
Universal Waste Disposal Options (Residential)
Universal Waste Disposal Options (Municipal)
ACCEPTED ITEMS:
The items below are common hazardous products used in the home, yard, and garage. These items can be brought to a HHW collection site for safe disposal.
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Changes from past collections:
- Fluorescent bulbs/tubes
- CFLs
- Batteries (all types)
- Thermometers, thermostats, and other mercury containing devices
- Asbestos
- Propane Tanks - some local transfer stations accept tanks for a fee
- Fire extinguishers (contact your local transfer station or fire department for disposal options)
- Smoke Detectors
- Tires - check with your local transfer station for disposal options
- Acrylic/Latex Paint:
- Paint Calculator
- How to Dry Out Latex Paint for Disposal — LRPC Quick Guide
- Electronics (e-waste):
- Electronic/Appliance Repairs — A list of places to repair/restore, sell, and dispose of your household electronics and appliances in the Lakes Region.
- Electronic/Appliance Repairs — An interactive map of places to repair/restore, sell, and dispose of household electronics and appliances in the Lakes Region (as of July 2020).
- Electronic Waste Brochure
- Medical waste & household sharps:
- National Drug Take Back Day (April & October) | Year-Round Drop-Off Locations
- Visit the "Helpful Links" section of our Solid Waste page for information about household sharps.
Alternative Disposal Options
Alternative HHW Disposal Options (flyer)
- Lakes Region Household Hazardous Product Facility (LRHHPF). A permanent facility in Wolfeboro where all NH taxpayers can dispose of hazardous waste. The facility can also accomodate small businesses by appointment. Open every 3rd Saturday May-October from 8:30AM - Noon.
- LRHHPF BROCHURE (2024)
- There is a disposal fee of $50 for every 5 gallons of waste
- Questions? Contact Sarah Silk (Site Coordinator) at (603) 651-7530 or email sms@metrocast.net
- Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) allows non-residents and businesses to dispose of their waste for a fee. Non-residents must pay a $30 fee to dispose of up to 25 pounds (or 5 gallons). Small businesses can participate, but MUST pre-register 2 weeks in advance to receive a price quote.
- Call (603) 448-1680 or email tjosephson@uvlsrpc.org for more info. Use this link for more information about commercial collections.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I ATTEND THE HHW EVENT?
Watch the video below to find out!
2023 HHW Event Results
Our 2023 Household Hazardous Waste Collection event culminated with a special fall collection on October 7th. In total, we served 1,564 households and diverted approximately 60,000 pounds (30 tons) of HHW from potentially ending up in our landfills, on our back roads, and waterways. Thank you to all our dedicated workers and volunteers for making this event successful.
2023 Participation/Survey Data:
Resource Library
- American Coatings Association - The parent organization of PaintCare, working on paint product stewardship in a number of states.
- Appliances & Electronics Recycling: A Green Guide - When recycling large appliances or electronics, there are certain guidelines that should be followed.
- Call2Recycle, Inc. - Takes rechargeable batteries from toys, tools, and various electronic devices for free.
- Earth911.com - A privately owned, for-profit company that specializes in providing consumers with accessible and actionable recycling information across the country. Their Recycling Directory contains information for recycling over 240 different products, including local drop-off locations, and is free to use.
- NH Department of Environmental Services Hazardous Waste Program - Fact sheets, rules/regulatory, contacts, grants, FAQs, training options, and information for small businesses.
- North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) - Dedicated to pollution prevention and reducing the hazardous components entering municipal streams. The #1 resource for hazardous waste professionals.
- Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) - Responsible for introducing Extended Producer Responsiblity (EPR) policies, programs, and law. In 2022 alone, legislators in 18 states considered 62 unique EPR bills covering 15 different product categories – and five of them became law. Visit their EPR Laws Map for laws by state and by product.
- Rehab the Lab - EPA's web-based toolkit providing for safe chemical management in K-12 schools.
- Community Action Works (fka Toxics Action Center) - Organizers have worked with hundreds of communities across New England to clean up hazardous waste sites, reduce industrial pollution, curb pesticide use, ensure healthy land use, replace dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives, and oppose dangerous waste, energy, and industrial facilities. Contains information on accomplishments, state toxic maps and reports (NH), statistics for action, energy, solid & zero waste, pesticides, sludge, toxics, salvage yards, mold, etc.
- UNH Cooperative Extension - A great place for sound advice on environmentally safe methods of maintaining gardens and lawns.
*Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service.
Part of this material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture.* Lakes Region Planning Commission is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Lakes Region HHW Collections Event
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DATE
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LOCATION
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June 22nd
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Franklin
Public Works @ 43 W.Bow St.
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July 27th
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Gilford
Public Works @ 55 Cherry Valley Rd.
Meredith
Public Works @ 17 Jenness Hill Rd.
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August 3rd
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Bristol
Newfound Regional H.S. from River Rd.
Moultonborough
Public Works @ 68 Highway Garage Rd.
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September 26th*
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Tuftonboro
20 Sargent’s Crossing
(transfer station off NH 171)
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September 28th
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Laconia
Public Works @ 27 Bisson Ave.
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2024 HHW Event Documents
2024 HHW Coordinator Meetings
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6:00 PM
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6:00 PM
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Wednesday, July 10th
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6:00 PM |
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Wednesday, October 2nd
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6:00 PM |
All meetings will be held at the LRPC office in the 1st floor conference room of the Humiston Building, Meredith.
Alternate Disposal Option
Lakes Region Household Hazardous Product Facility Brochure
LRHHPF disposal fee: $50 per 5 gallons
Support the Lakes Region HHW Collection Program
The Lakes Region Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program is funded by annual contributions from participating communities and a grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services.
Lakes Region Planning Commission
103 Main Street, Suite #3
Meredith, NH 03253
*Make sure to write "HHW" in the description line.
Education & Outreach
- Moving or Selling Your Home?
- Green Painting Tips
- Home & Garden Pest Management
- Batteries (storage and disposal)
- Reducing Hazardous Products in Businesses (booklet)
Low Toxic Alternatives
- HHW Alternatives Flipbook (2017 sources)
- DYI Personal Care Products. Recipes for shampoo, conditions, body scrub, deodorant, bug repellant, as well as various resources.
- @HHWHealthyHome YouTube videos for make-your-own:
Questions?
Contact HHW Regional Coordinator:
David Jeffers
djeffers@lakesrpc.nh.gov
(603) 279-5341