What am I supposed to do with...?

• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

• TVs and electronics

• Latex paint, driveway sealer

• Construction and bulky waste

• Alkaline and Rechargeable Batteries

• Automotive batteries

• Smoke detectors

• White goods

• Road flares

• Asbestos

• Fire Extinguishers

• Home medical waste

• Radioactive trash

I have all sorts of stuff, and just want someone to take it away ...

 These companies handle many of the following items and more, and recycle/reuse to the max:

If your town doesn't offer regular collection of these items (usually for a fee),

• contact The CREW at pickup@recyclingelectronics.com ($29-79) or 781-834-9606 for pickup,

•  go to CRT Recycling for Brockton drop off and special collection information  ($0-20/unit)

• Waste Management Recycle America accepts Sony, LG, Zenith and Goldstar TVs, electronics and appliances at no charge at its Taunton facility, 330 E. Brittania St., 508-821-4444.  Other brands are also accepted, for a fee. www.wm.com/WM/takeback/sony/index.asp

Latex paint and driveway sealer are not hazardous. (just messy)

If you can't use it up or give it away, then remove lid, air dry or absorb with cat litter or paint hardener, and dispose with trash.

Non-rechargeable Alkaline Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V) are not hazardous.     Dispose with trash.

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation recycles the following hazardous battery types commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys:

�       Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd),

�       Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)

�       Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and

�       Small Sealed Lead* (Pb)

• Conway Scrap Metal, 36 Vincent St., Whitman 781-447-2534 (paying $4/each in 8/2007)

• Spiegel South Shore Scrap, 175 E. Ashland St., Brockton, 508-897-0008

• many service stations also accept

• Brockton Iron and Steel, 45 Freight St., 508-586-4640, or

• Spiegel South Shore Scrap, 175 E. Ashland St., Brockton, 508-897-0008

Asbestos has 2 forms. 

Materials containing friable asbestos crumble by hand pressure when dry, and may be found in such materials as old pipe insulation.  It should be removed and disposed by an asbestos abatement professional.  Small quantities (up to a garbage bag)may be wetted, double bagged and brought to an HHP collection.

Nonfriable asbestos, found in such materials as roofing, siding and flooring, should be handled by a demolition contractor or brought to Waste Management's Turnkey Landfill in Rochester NH.  Call  603-330-2134.

• Brockton Iron and Steel, 45 Freight St., 508-586-4640, or

• Spiegel South Shore Scrap, 175 E. Ashland St., Brockton, 508-897-0008

• May infect other people who come in contact with trash or recycling.
• Unwanted or expired medicines or pharmaceuticals could be harmful to children or adults. Unused pharmaceuticals found in the trash may be stolen for unregulated use.

• Do not put prescription medicine down the drain.  Antibiotics poured down the drain kill beneficial microbes in septic and wastewater treatment systems.  All medicines can contaminate waterways in sewered communities.

• Keep sharp objects such as needles, syringes, and lancelets in secure containers out of the reach of children. Do not use glass. See Proper Use and Disposal of Needles and Syringes (Mass DPH)

• By law, once a prescription has been issued, the pharmacy cannot take it back. Remove from container to prevent identification and place in the trash, unless it contains radioactive isotope.

• Needles may not be disposed in the trash or recycling, as they pose a serious safety hazard for sanitation workers and facility operators.  Disposal instructions may be found at  Used Needles Here Please, or ask your pharmacist.

  The SSRC is working on other options through the member towns and local pharmacies. 
• Place disposable sheets, medical gloves and soiled bandages in plastic bags and securely fasten before you put them in the trash.

Radioactive trash

                                                                            (use 24# paper or heavier)

Kitty litter, diapers, tissues and other absorbents that have touched fluids from patients or pets undergoing nuclear medicine treatment are RADIOACTIVE

Segregate for 90 days before disposing in the trash, or flush if small and biodegradable.

DON’T LET YOUR TRASH SOUND THE ALARM!

Detection of any amount of radiation in the trash causes the following chain of events:

•     the entire 20-ton load is rejected at the disposal facility (SEMASS)

•   driver & vehicle are detained for hours while Mass. DPH is notified

•   the driver must return to town with the load

•   a radiation consultant and hauler sift through the load to attempt to identify the source and type of radiation

•   if the source can’t be identified, the container is reloaded and quarantined for up to three months, until the consultant determines it to be acceptable at SEMASS

•   cost to taxpayers, ratepayers, or the individual can exceed $1,000