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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.

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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
Household hazardous waste, paper shredding, textiles, and electronics drop-off
On May 20

May 20
Household hazardous waste, paper shredding, textiles, and electronics drop-off
On Jun 24

Jun 24
Household hazardous waste, paper shredding, textiles, and electronics drop-off
On Aug 12

Aug 12
Household hazardous waste, paper shredding, textiles, and electronics drop-off
On Sep 23

Sep 23

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): 

  • Shoes 

  • Heels (wedges, pumps) 

  • Flats 

  • Sandals 

  • Flip Flops 

  • Boots (work boots, dress boots, winter boots) 

  • Sneakers 

  • Cleats 

  • Slippers 

Clothing: 

  • Tops (T-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops) 

  • Sweaters 

  • Sweatshirts 

  • Dresses 

  • Outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers) 

  • Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts) 

  • Suits 

  • Socks 

  • Pajamas 

  • Slips 

  • Bras 

  • Underwear 

 

Accessories: 

  • Hats 

  • Bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes) 

  • Belts 

  • Gloves 

  • Ties 

  • Scarves 

  • Bathrobes 

Linens: 

  • Sheets 

  • Blankets 

  • Towels 

  • Curtains/Drapes 

  • Aprons 

  • Dish cloths 

  • Cloth napkins 

  • Table linens 

  • Comforters 

  • Throw rugs 

  • Placemats 

Other: 

  • Halloween costumes 

  • Sports jerseys 

  • Pet clothing 

  • 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)
  • Button Batteries and Household Alkaline Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)

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.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF BATTERIES IN BOSTON

Contact: Public Works

Batteries can cause fires if not disposed of correctly. Here’s how to handle and dispose of each type of battery. 

 

NON-HAZARDOUS BATTERIES

These battery types no longer contain mercury and can be disposed of in regular trash. 

Button: These batteries are about 1/3” across. They are commonly found in hearing aids. 

Traditional Everyday (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V): These batteries are single use, alkaline batteries. 

HAZARDOUS BATTERIES

Please put tape on battery terminals and bring to a local retailer or one of Boston’s Household Hazardous Waste Day’s for proper and safe disposal.

Lithium-Ion Rechargeable: These batteries are typically found in cell phones, laptops, and small power tools. If damaged, they can be extremely flammable. 

Rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D, 9V (Ni-Cad): Please do not put any rechargeable batteries in the trash or recycling. They may contain heavy metals that pose risks to human health and the environment. 

Lithium Primary: These batteries come in a variety of household sizes, including flat nickel-shaped batteries that may not be labeled as lithium. Do not put lithium batteries in the trash or recycling as they can be flammable when damaged or defective. Please put tape on terminals and handle with care. 

Lead Acid Automotive or Sealed: These batteries are commonly found in vehicles, lawnmowers, and some power tools. Leaking lead acid batteries are considered hazardous waste and should be handled with caution. 

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

Recycling paint and motor oil information

BOS:311

BOS:311
All BOS:311 requests Improper storage of trash barrels Overflowing or Unkempt Dumpster Request a bulk item pickup Request recycling and yard waste stickers Schedule a special collection item for pickup

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 
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