Household Hazardous Waste
We hold drop-off days for household hazardous waste throughout the year. Scroll down to find our Household Hazardous Waste Day events schedule.
You must be a Boston resident to drop unwanted materials at our Household Hazardous Waste Days. You need to provide a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of residency. We will not accept any waste from businesses. We also reserve the right to reject any materials that do not meet our regulations.
Upcoming events
Events-
Electronic Waste Drop-off and Paper Shredding Pop-up Event
May 7
- When May 07, 2022, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Where
1205 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
United States -
Contact
Public Works
- Email publicworks@boston.gov
- Phone 617-635-4900
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Price
FREE

We accept these materials
Accepted Materials- Antifreeze
- Brake fluid
- Car batteries
- Carburetor cleaner
- Degreasers
- Engine solvents
- Gasoline and kerosene
- Motor oil and oil filters
- Tires (never throw tires out with your regular trash)
- Tire cleaners
- Transmission fluid
- Acids and sulfuric acid, aerosol cans
- Ammonia cleaners, radiator cleaners, rug cleaners, and upholstery cleaners
- Artist supplies and hobby supplies like rubber cement
- Caulk, chemistry set chemicals, pool chemicals
- Driveway sealer, creosote, furnace cement, and roof cement
- Dry-cell batteries, fiberglass resins, and metal cleaners
- Fire starters, flammable liquids, floor-care products, and furniture polish
- Mercury bearing waste from fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, and mercury switches
- Photography chemicals, pool chemicals, propane tanks, and rust preventatives
- Sealant, solvent adhesives, solvent-based cleaners
- Wax stripper and Wood preservatives
- Brighteners
- Chlorine bleach
- Detergents
- Drain cleaners
- Lighter fluid
- Moth balls and crystals
- Oven cleaners
- Rodent killers
- Softeners
- Spray starch
- Whiteners
- Cesspool cleaners
- Fertilizers
- Flammable liquids
- Flea and tick powder
- Fungicides
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- No-pest strips
- Pesticides
- Poisons
- Weed killers
- Paint thinners
- Paint strippers
- Shellacs
- Stains
- Turpentine
- Varnish
Footwear (in pairs):
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Shoes
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Heels (wedges, pumps)
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Flats
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Sandals
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Flip Flops
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Boots (work boots, dress boots, winter boots)
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Sneakers
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Cleats
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Slippers
Clothing:
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Tops (T-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops)
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Sweaters
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Sweatshirts
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Dresses
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Outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers)
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Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts)
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Suits
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Socks
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Pajamas
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Slips
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Bras
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Underwear
Accessories:
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Hats
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Bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes)
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Belts
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Gloves
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Ties
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Scarves
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Bathrobes
Linens:
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Sheets
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Blankets
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Towels
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Curtains/Drapes
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Aprons
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Dish cloths
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Cloth napkins
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Table linens
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Comforters
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Throw rugs
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Placemats
Other:
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Halloween costumes
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Sports jerseys
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Pet clothing
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Canvas
We don’t accept these materials
- Asbestos
- Explosives
- Radioactive material
- Printed circuit boards
- TVs and computer monitors (For these items, schedule a pickup with BOS:311 or place an online request)
- Latex and acrylic paint (Let the paint dry out and set it with your regular trash)
- Medical waste, like prescription pills and medicine (what to do with medical waste)
Keep in mind
- We only take waste from Boston residents. You must provide a photo ID, utility bill, or lease as proof of residency. We will not accept any waste from businesses.
- Latex and acrylic paint are NOT hazardous. Just let the paint dry out in the can and put it out on your trash day, or donate to a local second hand store!
- We offer paper shredding at all of our events. We will shred up to 10 copy paper size boxes or containers of your personal documents.
- We accept all clothing and textiles, including pants, coats, hats, suits, and bags. We accept all textiles that are dry and not moldy. There are certain items that we can't accept.
- You can also recycle electronics at this event. We don't accept commercial electronics from businesses. Learn more about what electronics you can, and can't recycle.
- If you have any questions about our drop-offs, please contact BOS:311.
Paint and Motor Oil Drop-offs
Public Works hosts Saturday swap shops once a month, from May through August, for surplus paint, stains, and varnishes. Residents can also bring used motor oil to this event to be recycled.
PAINT AND MOTOR OIL DROP-OFF SCHEDULE
Safely throw out prescription drugs
The Boston Police Department has anonymous, safe drug disposal kiosks at select district stations. Please leave the medication in its container, and erase any names or prescription numbers. The police don’t accept prescription drugs from businesses. You can drop off old or unused prescription drugs 24 hours a day, seven days a week at these locations:
- District A-1: 40 New Sudbury St., Boston, MA 02114
- District A-7: 69 Paris St., East Boston, MA 02128
- District B-2: 2400 Washington St., Roxbury, MA 02119
- District B-3: 1165 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02124
- District C-6: 101 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
- District C-11: 40 Gibson Street, Dorchester, MA 02122
- District D-4: 650 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
- District D-14: 301 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
- District E-5: 1708 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132
- District E-13: 3345 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
- District E-18: 1249 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02136