Frequently Asked Questions
Air Conditioners | Automotive Products | Containers | Electronics | Fees | Fluorescent Bulbs | HHW Basics | HHW Collection Event
Mercury Thermometers | Paint | Styrofoam | Volunteers
Can I Bring an Air Conditioner to the HHW Collection?
Air conditioners contain refrigerant gases that need to be purged and collected prior to disposal of the air conditioning unit. Due to the unique nature of these appliances, we cannot accept them at hazardous waste events. Contact your local Department of Public Works or Transfer Station to see if they will accept these appliances. Local retail appliance stores may also accept air conditioners for a fee.
Where can I dispose of used motor oil?
As long as the motor oil is not mixed with other automotive products (such as gasoline or antifreeze) many local service stations will accept it for free or for a small fee. In addition, many local transfer stations collect used motor oil during normal business hours.
Can I get my containers back after the waste contents have been disposed of?
Yes, just let the individual who will be removing materials from your vehicle know which containers you would like to keep.
Should I bring empty bottles/cans/containers that once held HHW to the collection?
If the container is truly empty, you can dispose of it with regular household trash and you do not need to bring it to a HHW collection.
What kinds of electronics can I bring to the collection?
A full list of electronic items that are accepted at the collection events can be found here, as well as the fees that will be charged per item. Some local transfer stations also accept electronics.
If I am only bringing electronics, do I have to pay the HHW user fee?
If you are not bringing any household hazardous waste, you do not have to pay the HHW user fee. The individual fees per electronics item will still apply. See our electronics fee schedule for the per item amounts.
What happens to my electronics when they are recycled?
In order to be recycled most electronic equipment needs to be disassembled. Its contents are then sorted into recyclable commodities, such as ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, precious metals, glass, and plastics. Potentially re-usable components, such as toner and power cords, are tested to see if they function. If they do work they are reused; otherwise they are recycled.
Is my personal information safe when I recycle a computer or laptop?
Identity theft and protection of proprietary data is a huge concern to both individuals and businesses. ALL data-containing devices such as hard drives found in PC's, laptops, servers and other storage devices are destroyed by RMG, the electronics recycling vendor that operates at our HHW events. After the hard drive is removed from the unit they are fed into a shredder which is equipped with 4 cutting shafts, two motors, and a stainless steel sizing screen which ensures that the material is reduced to 3/4" minus.
Why can’t I just throw my electronics out with my regular household trash?
Electronic devices like televisions and monitors are considered hazardous waste due to the high amounts of Lead and Zinc they contain. They can only be property handled and recycled by breaking down and separating their hazardous materials and components.
In addition, under House Bill 1455 it is illegal to dispose of video display devices in New Hampshire landfills and incinerators as of July 1, 2007. Video display devices include televisions, computer monitors, liquid crystal displays, and plasma screens larger than 4 inches on the diagonal. The disposal ban helps to encourage the recycling of electronic waste and eliminate a large source of lead from disposal facilities. It is estimated that monitors and TVs contain an average of 4 pounds of lead each.
What is the fee to attend a HHW Collection?
There is a $10 user fee/vehicle that covers up to 10 gallons or 20 pounds of waste per household. Residents who bring more than this amount of waste are encouraged to make a donation to the program to help offset the additional costs.
There is also an addition fee for bringing electronics. Prices vary by item, but most common household electronics are $5. Click here for a complete price list. If you are only bringing electronics to an HHW Collection you do not have to pay the $10 user fee. However, if you are bringing electronics as well as other household hazardous wastes, you do need to pay the $10 fee in addition to the electronics charges.
Why is there a fee to participate in the HHW collection? Don’t I already fund the program with my tax dollars?
The NRSWMD receives a majority of its funding through municipal tax assessments, however, the safe disposal of HHW is expensive, and the municipal assessments do not cover all the costs of the program.
Is there a reduced fee for bringing only a few items? What about a senior discount?
Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to reduce fees beyond the standard $10 price. We do recommend that you “wastepool” with friends or neighbors to maximize your user fee and reduce vehicle trips to the event.
What forms of payment do you accept for HHW user fees and electronics?
Both types of fees can be paid for by either cash or check. Checks for the $10 HHW fee should be made payable to the NRSWMD (Nashua Region Solid Waste Management District). Checks for recycling electronics items should be made payable to RMG.
Where can I safely dispose of fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs?
In the past year, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has partnered with Ace and TrueValue hardware stores on a take-back program for fluorescent bulb recycling. New Hampshire residents may bring up to six linear, compact, or circular bulbs to participating Ace and TrueValue stores to be recycled for free. Click here for details. Fluorescent bulbs may also be brought to our household hazardous waste collections, but we encourage you to keep our costs (and yours!) down by participating in the free State program.
If compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and are hazardous to the environment, why use them?
While compact fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury and therefore require special care in their disposal, they can use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times as long. The EPA Energy Star program estimates that if every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with an Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 800,000 cars. Click here for more information on compact fluorescent bulbs and the Energy Star program.
How can I identify hazardous materials in my home?
When you see the words “caution,” “poison,” “warning,” or “danger” on a product label, you are dealing with a potentially hazardous material that cannot be disposed of as regular waste.
These products often have one or more of the following properties:
Flammable ~ easily ignited or set on fire
Corrosive/Caustic ~ can cause burns or destroy living tissue through contact
Explosive ~ may explode if exposed to heat or pressure
Toxic ~ may cause injury or death if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin
Why can’t I dispose of household hazardous waste in the same manner as my regular trash?
Household hazardous wastes need to be treated differently than regular waste items because they contain chemicals or have properties that are hazardous to human health or the environment if not managed properly. Improperly disposed of materials (such as dumping down the toilet, drain, or storm sewer) can damage sewer treatment plants or private septic systems. Materials may flow directly into streams and ponds, which are common sources of drinking water. Materials that are incorporated into the solid waste stream with regular trash can commingle, ignite, and explode.
How can I reduce the amount of household hazardous waste in my home?
First, get familiar with labels and their code words. Products that include “flammable, corrosive, explosive, or toxic” in their labels are likely hazardous, as are most aerosol products. Products that would not be considered hazardous often have the word “nontoxic” included on the label. Purchase nontoxic substitutes when possible and stay away from hazardous items. Click here for alternatives.
When no substitute product is available, purchase only the quantity of product that you need to complete the job at hand. If you end up with leftover product despite your best intentions, donate it to a friend, relative, or community group that might need the item for their own purpose.
Who operates the household hazardous waste collection?
The Nashua Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) organizes and staffs the household hazardous waste collection program on behalf of the Nashua Regional Solid Waste Management District (NRSWMD), which was formed in 1998 specifically to deal with the problem of how to safely and legally dispose of household hazardous waste. The NRSWMD is comprised of the towns of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham, and Windham.
Why doesn’t my town accept household hazardous waste at the landfill / transfer station?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is different than regular trash and requires specific handling and disposal techniques to ensure that it is safely managed. When improperly handled HHW can be the cause of explosions, fires, or toxic releases that threaten air, water, or soil quality and therefore deserves special attention and regulation. State and federal laws prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste in municipal landfills, and even regulate the transport of such wastes when they occur in large quantities or are industrially produced.
As a result, it can be very expensive to safely dispose of HHW, so few municipalities have the facilities, training, or funding to host their own collections or to process materials on site. By teaming up, municipalities are better able to afford to offer collection events.
When is the next scheduled HHW collection event?
Click here to view this season’s schedule of HHW collection events.
Where are the household hazardous waste collections held?
Collections are held at 6 Riverside Street in Nashua with the exception of the May 1 2010 event, which is held at 289 South Street (Rt 13) in Milford.
How much waste can I bring to a collection?
The $10 user fee covers up to 10 gallons (liquid) or 20 lbs (dry) of waste per vehicle.
How should I package my items for the collection?
Materials should be kept in their original containers with original labels, if at all possible. Make sure that caps and lids are secure, and place any items at risk for tipping or spilling in an upright cardboard box lined with a garbage bag to protect against any leaks or spills. Since many chemicals have noxious odors, we recommend that materials be kept in the trunk or rear of the vehicle, rather than in the passenger compartment, out of direct sunlight. Do not store materials in a very hot or very cold vehicle! Also, it is best to leave small children and pets at home when bringing your items to the collection. Smoking will not be permitted once inside the facility gates.
Why do I have to fill out a survey to participate in the HHW collection?
The data allows us to apply for grant monies to help fund the collections. The survey also help us objectively evaluate our collection program and identify any areas that need improvement. The survey is easy to complete and does not ask for personal or incriminating information. You can view and fill out the survey ahead of time by clicking here, and bringing the survey with you to the collection event.
Are there other locations in the State of NH where household hazardous waste collections take place?
The NH Department of Environmental Services compiles information on all of the household hazardous waste collections taking place throughout the state. Click here for detailed site information. If you are moving soon and can't make any of these collections, we recommend talking to friends or neighbors about their willingness to “store” HHW materials on your behalf until they can take them to a regularly scheduled event. If this is not an option, you can contact disposal vendors directly who might be willing to pick up the materials from you, though it will likely be expensive.
What should I do with a broken mercury thermometer?
A broken mercury thermometer can be brought to the hazardous waste collection event, however, great care should be taken in cleanup and transport of the mercury due to the toxicity of mercury vapors. Make sure to double-wrap the mercury-containing elements in plastic so that vapors cannot leak out. Label the container with a description of the materials contained, making sure to note the presence of liquid mercury. Click here for detailed instructions on how to clean up small mercury spills.
How do I determine if my paint is latex?
Latex paints are water-based and are very common for indoor and even outdoor painting applications. Latex paints can be cleaned with just soap and water. Check the label for the words “latex” or “acrylic” to ensure that it is latex. If the cleaning instructions call for either mineral spirits or paint thinner, it is not latex paint.
Why can’t I bring latex paint to the HHW collection or throw it out with my household trash?
Latex paint is hazardous in its liquid form, but not when it is dried and solid. In order for us to keep costs down (the events each cost over $15,000 in disposal fees alone) we require participants to handle latex paint in the most cost-effective way possible, which is to dry it out and dispose of it as non-hazardous material. In many cases, you will still have to bring dried-out latex paint to your landfill or transfer station separately rather than packaged with your household trash.
What is the easiest way to dispose of my latex paint?
The easiest way to rid your home of unwanted paint (or other household hazardous waste) is to donate it to a friend, neighbor, or community group who could use it. But if donating it or using it up yourself is not an option, it is easy to safely dispose of latex paint when it is dried.
For cans that are less than ¼ full, simply pop the lid and let air dry in a well-ventilated location. If you have cans that are almost full, line a cardboard box with a plastic trash bag, and pour up to an inch of paint in the bottom of the bag. Let air dry, or add some paper shreds, kitty litter, sawdust, or Speedy Dry to the paint to speed up the drying process. When the paint is crisp dry, you can repeat the process by adding layers of paint and absorbent material. Then bring the dried paint and dry cans to your landfill or transfer station for disposal. For more information see our paint primer.
How can I safely dispose of lead paint chips?
Lead paint, in either dried or liquid forms, cannot be disposed of with your regular trash. Provided that it is a relatively small quantity (one or two small bags or pails) you can bring lead paint chips to an HHW collection. When remodeling, remember to minimize the risk of lead poisoning, especially if the paint is chipping or pealing. Never dry-sand, dry-scrape, or burn lead paints and consider hiring a certified professional contractor to remove and safely dispose of lead-based paint.
Do you accept styrofoam peanuts or packing materials?
Styrofoam is not accepted at HHW collections since it is not acutely corrosive, toxic, flammable, or reactive in its normal form. However, that doesn’t mean Styrofoam is good for our environment. It can pose significant risks to fish and wildlife when they try to ingest these products and it takes a very long time to biodegrade.
Styrofoam is difficult for municipalities to handle as a recyclable material because it is bulky and hard to store. No municipal facilities in the NRPC region are currently able to recycle Styrofoam materials.
Many packaging companies (UPS, Mailboxes etc.) gladly take packing peanuts and Styrofoam materials for reuse. Give your local packaging store a call to see what their policy is. If you have some storage space, keep these materials for reuse yourself. You can also contact the parent company when you receive a new item that is packaged in molded Styrofoam bricks (like a DVD player, or coffee maker) to see if the materials can be mailed back for reuse. Finally, avoid Styrofoam altogether and instead opt for more environmentally friendly cornstarch peanuts (they simply dissolve away in water) or paper shreds.
I care about pollution and waste issues; can I volunteer at one of the HHW events?
Our events depend upon the dedicated efforts of our wonderful volunteers, and we’d love for you to be one of them. Please contact Minda Shaheen if you are interested in volunteering.
Links
Nashua Regional Planning Commission
9 Executive Park Drive, Suite 201
Merrimack, NH 03054
Phone ~ 603.424.2240 | Fax ~ 603.424.2230