HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) PROGRAM

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Who Can Participate?
Residents and taxpayers in these 24 participating communities may bring 10 gal. or 50 lbs. of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) to the collection site that is most convenient to them.

24 Participating Communities
Alexandria, Andover, Belmont, Bridgewater, Bristol, Center Harbor, Effingham, Franklin, Freedom, Gilford, Gilmanton, Hebron, Hill, Holderness, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Ossipee, 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 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 a HHW collection site?
NOTE: We will not be accepting any universal waste at the 2023 event. However, many transfer stations do take universal waste year round (batteries, fluorescent bulbs, used motor oil, antifreeze). Please check with your local facility!

See below for list of acceptable and unacceptable 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.
 
Click the links below for more information about specific products from the:
HOUSE
drain cleaners
oven cleaners
metal polish
arts & craft paint
NO Acrylic/Latex Paint
photo chemicals
floor cleaners
dry cleaning fluids
YARD & GARDEN
pesticides
herbicides
insect sprays
rodent killers
pool chemicals
muriatic acid
pest control strips
cesspool cleaners
WORKBENCH
rust preventatives
wood preservatives & wood strippers
oil-based paint
paint thinner
solvents
sealants
old chemistry kits
GARAGE
motor oil
radiator cleaners
antifreeze
brake fluid
engine & radiator flushes
gasoline
degreasers
transmission fluid
 
UNACCEPTED ITEMS: We DO NOT take the following items at our annual HHW collections. Click on the underlined items to identify alternative disposal options:

Changes from past collections:
Click on the item to identify alternative disposal options:  

Alternative HHW Disposal Options

WHAT IF I MISSED THIS YEAR'S COLLECTION?

If by chance you missed the event or cannot wait until our next regional HHW collections, here are other disposal options available throughout the year. Underlined entries indicate a link to additional information.

Alternative HHW Disposal Options (flyer)
         

  • City of Keene HHW Collections allows residents from non-participating communities to dispose of hazardous waste for a fee (up to 50 gallons). There are 12 collections scheduled between March and June of each year.​
  • Pemi-Baker Solid Waste District allows non-district residents to drop off HHW for a fee ($31 per unit or 5 gallons of waste). This year's event is scheduled for September 23, 2023 from 9:00 - 12:00 PM at the Plymouth Recycling Center. Non-members must preregister by contacting the North Country Council at (603) 444-6303 x2015 (same number for more information).
  • 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
    • There is a disposal fee of $45 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. Anyone (homeowners and businesses) with 25 gallons or more MUST pre-register.
 
 
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I ATTEND THE HHW EVENT?

Watch the video below to find out!

 

 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 (misc.)
  • 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.