Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is the most toxic component of the waste stream.  It is important to make it easy for residents to manage it properly, especially when they are moving!  “The improper use of household hazardous products, using too much, or not following written precautions, can have relatively minor effects or more serious effects; ranging from eye and throat irritations, headaches, dizziness and nausea, to more serious effects such as skin rashes, burns, liver or kidney damage, cancer, birth defects and even death.  The improper disposal of waste through household or storm drains can result in costly disruption to the wastewater system, serious injury to waste handlers and the contamination of local air and water resources.  Once in these waters used motor oil, antifreeze and other wastes, even in small amounts have a profound effect on the animals that live there.  In many cases, using non-toxic alternatives and appropriate disposal options will resolve many threats created by household hazardous waste.  Using alternatives to household chemicals will result in a safer home and environment at a fraction of the cost, since alternatives are nearly always less expensive.  Properly using and disposing of the household chemicals you do use will not only protect the environment, but will help save the cost of environmental clean-ups as well.  For products where non-toxic alternatives are not available, read the label and try to choose products with a CAUTON label over those with WARNING or DANGER.  To avoid the need for disposing of unwanted or unusable portions of a hazardous product, buy only as much as you need.”

The Wayland Board of Health has been holding HHWD in Wayland twice a year to collect these hazardous wastes, a service that is free to residents.  Wayland Health Department and DPW staff have been working with MassDep, who has organized a reciprocal arrangement which has been endorsed by the Wayland Board of Health.  There are now 7 towns that have joined the reciprocal HHWD arrangement.  A listing is provided below with the schedule of upcoming HHW dates on the reciprocal arrangement schedule.  If you are a Wayland resident and you would like to attend a HHW event being held in another town you can now attend the event and pay the vendor onsite.  Having multiple options in addition to the main HHW event in one’s own city/town will be very helpful.  A reciprocal HHW arrangement provides this service to our residents at no additional cost to the town and makes the town DPW eligible for additional grant funds from DEP through the Recycling Dividends Program (RDP).  It is a recognition program for those who have implemented the “best practices” in waste reduction.

Clean Harbors, CVCC, and Stericycle (formerly PSC) are each willing to help their customers participate in this type of program.  How it will work:

• Each town will advertise with a listing of the event dates, locations, and any requirements.
• Non-residents will pay at the time in cash or by check or credit card depending on the preference of the contractor. The table below shows type of payments accepted.

HHWD Events that are now open to Wayland residents are listed below.  Please note the date and times for each event.

• Payment: These events are open to Wayland residents on a fee-basis.  You will be asked for payment at the event based on the amount of material you bring.  Please bring the appropriate form of payment indicated in the Notes column of the table below.  Pricing is based on the host town’s contract and will be determined by the contractor. As an example, some contractors charge $35 for the first 12 gallons (liquid or dry equivalent) or $60 for 12 – 25 gallons.
• Identification: You will be asked to show identification confirming you are a resident of YOUR TOWN.

**Facts about HHW from the MWRA, “A Healthy Environment Starts at Home.”   This page also includes information on handling of various types of waste, and alternatives you can use in their place in the future.  (PDF version online here)

If you need help:

If Wayland residents have a large amount of hazardous waste that they have questions about, the Health Department in collaboration with the Fire Department can assist residents in determining which products are accepted at HHWD.  For residents who need help with this process, the Fire Department is willing to conduct a site visit to help residents with questions such as; what can be taken to HHWD, is it safe to bring to HHWD, can it be stored safely and other questions.  Residents should reach out to a neighbor or friend for transporting the products safely to the HHWD event.  For assistance please email us at:  dledwell@wayland.ma.us