New Bedford Hosting Hazardous Waste Drop-off

If you're like me, when you hear the words "hazardous waste," you think about deep-state federal government workers wearing head-to-toe biohazard suits.

You'd probably never even guess that it is far more likely than not that you have hazardous waste somewhere in your home. You are probably not more than 50 feet away from some sort of hazardous waste.

If you've ever done any painting at your home and have leftover oil-based paints, you have hazardous waste. For me, I always confuse which gasoline I mixed with two-cycle oil for something like a weedwhacker or a small boat engine. Or, you may have lost track of the age of the fuel in the gas can in the garage.  All of these are examples of hazardous waste. You simply can't throw them away or dump them in your backyard or into the drains on the street.

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The good news is that New Bedford is hosting a hazardous waste event for residents of Dartmouth, Freetown and New Bedford.  It's happening Saturday, May 14, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Boulevard, New Bedford.

Examples of accepted waste include oil-based paints (latex cans can be dried out and thrown away in normal trash collection), paint thinner, pesticides and old gasoline.  You'll want to arrive at the drop-off with the household hazardous waste in the trunk, pickup truck bed, or back of an SUV.

Do not bring anything that is accepted at your transfer station including antifreeze, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury-containing devices, motor oil, propane (or other) tanks or cylinders, TVs, or computer monitors.

Freetown residents with questions about what is accepted at the transfer station can call (508) 644-2202, extension 3.

The maximum amount of household hazardous waste you can bring is 25 gallons or 25 pounds. Collection is for households only -- no businesses, schools, or contractors.

For more information, contact the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org or by phone at (508) 979-1493.