A Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection Day is scheduled for the towns of Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, and Woodbury Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at Shepardson Community Center at 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury. Collection will start at 8 a.m. There is no need to line up before then.
There is no charge to residents. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill or other identification, is required for entrance. The event is sponsored by the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley and participating towns.
Household hazardous wastes are any wastes produced in the home that are poisonous, flammable, reactive or corrosive. These wastes are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. The goal of the program is to keep potentially hazardous waste out of local landfills and sewers, providing extra protection for wetlands and waterways. In addition, residents may now bring latex (water-based) paint to the collection event for the first time. While not considered hazardous waste, the latex paint will be accepted as part of a new statewide paint product stewardship program.
Examples of wastes that will be accepted include oil- and latex-based paints and stains, thermometers and thermostats containing mercury, drain and oven cleaners, upholstery cleaners, wood cleaners, strippers and varnishes, pesticides, poisons, pool and photo chemicals, automotive cleaners and fluids, grease and rust solvents, aerosols and metal polishes.
Items that will not be accepted include: No auto batteries, No motor oil, No propane tanks, No compressed gas cylinders, No asbestos, No smoke detectors, No explosives, No radioactive or medical waste, No grout, No joint compound, No lead paint chips, and No empty containers of any kind. The contractor reserves the right to reject additional materials.
Up to 50 lbs. of residential waste will be accepted per vehicle. Residents should leave materials in the original container whenever possible. When arriving at the collection site, residents are asked to stay in their cars at all times. Trained waste handlers will remove materials from the cars.
Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle and information will be given on how to dispose of them. For further information, Middlebury residents can contact Daniel Norton at 203-577-4170.
Other town representatives are:
Beacon Falls: 203-729-6978, Public Works Garage
Bethlehem: 203-266-7677, Town Hall
Naugatuck: 203-720-7071, Public Works
Oxford: 203-888-7716, Wayne Watt
Southbury: 203-262-0622, Jeannette Kilcourse
Thomaston: 860-283-4030, Glenn Clark
Waterbury: 203-574-6857, Bureau of Refuse
Watertown: 860-945-5240, Roy Cavanaugh
Woodbury: 203-263-3633, Margaret Warneraniel Norton
