Household Hazardous Waste Collection Information

Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be in Spring 2024

Did you miss this year's event --- not to worry, Westford participates in reciprocal hazardous waste events with other Towns --- read below for information on other options for safely disposing of hazardous waste including dates for Household Hazardous Waste events held by neighboring Towns.  Also, check out the WRC "How to Recycle Most Everything" document available by clicking HERE.

Other Options for Safely Disposing of Hazardous Waste

Westford residents also have access to the following options for safely disposing of Household Hazardous Waste.

  1. Participate in other regional town HHW collections.  The 2023 calendar is published: Click this LINK for a list of other towns' Hazardous Waste Collections that are open to Westford residents.
  2. Clean Harbors in Braintree, Massachusetts (781-380-7177)
  3. NEDT in Sutton, Massachusetts (866-769-1621)

At this time, non-member Towns (the Town of Westford is not a member community) cannot utilize services at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Regional Facility in Lexington, MA to dispose hazardous household waste until further notice. For questions you may contact them at (781) 274-8334.

General Information on Household Hazardous Waste

DEP Hazardous Waste Regulations, 310 CMR 30.104: "Household Waste means any waste materials generated in the normal course of household activities..."  Examples include:

General Household Materials

  • Acids (corrosives)
  • Aerosol cans (excluding empty cans)
  • Art supplies
  • Batteries - Alkaline batteries manufactured before 1994 and all NiCad, button, zinc and lithium batteries  **
  • Chemistry set chemicals
  • Fiberglass resins 
  • Furniture, floor, metal polishes and strippers 
  • Hobby supplies (rubber cement, airplane glue etc.)
  • Mercury containing devices (switches, thermostats, fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent bulbs (energy efficient bulbs), broken fluorescent bulbs, thermometers, blood pressure equipment)
  • Moth balls/crystals
  • Oil paint and paint thinners, varnish, stain and shellac (no Latex Paint is allowed)
  • Paint Strippers
  • Photography chemicals
  • Rug and upholstery cleaners
  • Solvent adhesives
  • Turpentine and other paint solvents
  • Wood preservatives   Bathroom Products
  • Hair dye
  • Nail polish remover
  • Toilet cleaners 

Laundry Materials

  • Brighteners
  • Chlorine bleach 
  • Spot removers 
  • Spray starch 
  • Whiteners

Kitchen Materials

  • Drain cleaners 
  • Lighter fluids 
  • Oven cleaners 

Lawn and Garden Materials

  • Cesspool cleaners (corrosives) 
  • Flammable liquids/Gasoline 
  • Flea and tick powders 
  • Fire starters 
  • Fungicides 
  • Herbicides 
  • Insecticides 
  • No-pest strips 
  • Pesticides 
  • Poisons 
  • Pool chemicals 
  • Propane tanks, empty or partially empty, up to 20 lbs*, ** 

Automotive Products 

  • Antifreeze 
  • Batteries (autos, motorcycles, etc.)*, **
  • Brake fluid 
  • Carburetor cleaner 
  • Radiator flush
  • Solvents and degreasers 
  • Tire cleaners 
  • Transmission fluid 
  • Waste fuels (gasoline, kerosene, etc.)

*May be additional cost. Contact community for more information.

 Do Not Bring:

  • Ammunition, Fireworks, Explosives 
  • Asbestos 
  • Commercial hazardous waste 
  • Construction waste/building materials  
  • CRT’s, CPU’s, computer monitors, television sets etc.  
  • Empty aerosol cans 
  • Fire extinguishers 
  • Gas cylinders
  • Infectious or biological wastes - medical waste can be dropped off on scheduled collection days
  • Latex Paint - dried out latex paint can be disposed of with your regular trash curbside
  • Medicines or syringes - medical waste can be dropped off on scheduled collection days
  • Motor oil (please bring to the AutoZone on Drum Hill Road in Chelmsford or other location that accepts used motor oil)
  • PCB’s
  • Propane tanks  
  • Radioactive materials 
  • Smoke Detectors 
  • Tires