Waste Management & Recycling Program

Household Hazardous Waste

We are striving for all Maine citizens to reduce Household Hazardous Waste and to participate
in Household Hazardous Waste collections.

Persistent toxic metals and chemicals in hazardous waste items in our home and garage pose a serious threat to the health of children, adults, animals, and the environment when poured in drains, septic tanks, and in the trash, and subsequently incinerated at local municipal waste incinerators. Hazardous materials that are not separated and handled properly generate air,
water, and land pollution. See our Household Hazardous Waste Links for more information.

Household Hazardous Waste One-Day Collections

See a list of household hazardous waste collection days in your area.

Maine's Environmental Depot Maine's first permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site is in Lewiston. Check out their Website! Read Their Flier and See What They'll Accept
Compact Fluorescent Recycling Program Efficiency Maine launched a statewide CFL bulb recycling program. You can now bring your used (unbroken) CFL bulbs to any participating store for free recycling. Note: CFL bulbs must be recycled and cannot be disposed of in the trash because they contain small amounts of mercury. Or you can contact your local transfer station or municipal office to see if they accept these bulbs for recycling. An Excel spreadsheet (sheet 3) that lists the public facilities is available on the Department of Environmental Protection's website.
See what Household Chemicals are in Your House Take a virtual tour and see where chemicals are commonly found in your home
Safer Alternatives The Naked Truth Project - learn more about the chemicals in your body, on your body, and in your home and what you can do about it. Safer Alternatives for Household Product - a brochure created by AVCOG to help you find alternatives to chemicals.
Help Yourself To A Healthy Home Online University of Wisconsin's Healthy Home Web tool provides information on using, storing, reducing, disposing, and handling hazardous items from households.
Common Heavy Metals and Chemicals Information on mercury, lead, and other common toxins, written by Kids Against Toxins
Household Hazardous Waste Video Informational Video by Sarah Wojcoski, a recycling coordinator with the communities of Saco and Scarborough. Funded by the Maine State Planning Office. Contact Us for a copy.
Proper Handling of Household Hazardous Waste Information from Mass DEP on proper handling of common household hazardous waste.