Towns Organizing Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days

Do you have some old, used paint thinner that is in an old, rusty can, or some chemicals that you just don't know what they are because the labels have peeled off long ago?

Would you like to dispose of these dangerous chemicals safely and in a way that will not hurt the environment?

The Maine Environmental Depot, located in Lewiston, accepts household hazardous waste from any Maine citizen
(link will take you offsite)

One of the best options you have for responsibly disposing of your old, dangerous household chemicals is to hold the chemicals until your city, town, or region conducts a household hazardous waste collection day. Here are lists of cities and towns that will conduct household waste collection days this year or have conducted them in the past. If your town is not on the list for having a collection this year, stay tuned. The town may conduct another collection in the not-too-distant future. See the following link for a list of towns that participate in household hazardous waste collections. (link will take you offsite)

Frequently Asked Questions

What if you do not live in any of these towns?

Most towns limit participation in the household hazardous waste collection days to the residents of their municipality. However, one organization, the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG), allows non-residents to register and dispose of waste during the household hazardous waste collection. A fee of $18 per 5 gallon bucket was charged during the last collection (September 1999) for all non-residents taking advantage of the collection.

Note the word register in the above paragraph. All people, residents and non-residents alike must register for a 15 minute time-slot at AVCOG's collection. It is up to each individual to call AVCOG and register for the collection. As a non-resident you should call to register sometime in August or September. Please mark this on your calendar. You are not likely to see the notices and advertisements and mailings that will be distributed among the member towns of AVCOG, so the date may easily slip by you.

If your town is not on the list, and has no plans to conduct a household hazardous waste collection day, there are companies that will handle this waste for a fee. See the list of hazardous waste transporters for more information.

Also visit the web site of the Maine Environmental Depot. Located in Lewiston, this facility accepts household hazardous waste from any Maine citizen. (link will take you offsite)

What if you are a business or a school or a non-profit organization or some other non-household entity?

Household hazardous waste collections are limited to HOUSEHOLD hazardous waste only. If you are a business or non-household entity that generates hazardous waste then you must dispose of your hazardous waste in accordance with Maine's Hazardous Waste Management Rules. To request the booklet "Handbook for Hazardous Waste Generators" contact the DEP at 287-2651 (1-800-452-1942). If you have any questions regarding the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, then please ask for assistance from a staff person in the Hazardous Waste Program

Would your town like to organize a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day?

The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) has conducted 5 collection days (one each September from 1995 through 1999). They have taken all that experience and turned it into an excellent book titled "Lessons Learned from Four Years of Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collections: 1995-1998". This book is tailor-made for any town or organization planning its first household hazardous waste collection day. To obtain a copy contact either the DEP (Peter Moulton at 287-8161 or 1-800-452-1942) or the State Planning Office (Sam Morris at 287-8054 or 1-800-662-4545).

How are you going to keep this from happening again?

Think before you buy. Ask yourself, "Do I really need this? Is there something else I can use that is less dangerous, less harmful to the environment and to myself?" Check out the Safe Home Program and the fact sheet on household hazardous waste for a list of safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to many potent household cleaners.

If you do need to use an oil-based pain as opposed to a water-based paint, or if you do decide you realy do need paint thinner. Buy only what you need. Try to minimize the amount of material that you will have leftover at the end of the job.

Other DEP related web pages to look at:

Tips for Handling Gasoline

Household petroleum liquids

Note: This list is maintained by the DEP only as a service to citizens calling in and requesting information.

Disclaimer: Although we strive for accuracy in the information we deliver to the public, the DEP cannot guarantee the accuracy of the above list.