Household Hazardous Waste
2024 CAPE COD HHW COLLECTION SEASON HAS ENDED. 2025 WILL BE POSTED EARLY SPRING.
There are many everyday products used in homes and small businesses that are dangerous to people, pets, first responders, and drinking water if thrown away in the regular trash. Household Hazardous Waste Collections allow you to dispose of these toxic products safely and easily.
Click image to download off-season flyer.
Did you miss your town’s collection?
If you missed out on your town’s collection you can attend any other Barnstable County HHW collection for a fee + registration form. Please click here for our non-resident form and registration as well as fee pricing. *YOU MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO ATTENDING YOUR CHOSEN COLLECTION*
Waste should be audited before coming to a collection. It is important for homeowners to know how to identify and dispose of hazardous products. Before coming to the collection, follow these simple instructions on how to conduct a Household Hazardous Products Audit (click here).
What Small Businesses Need to Know
Registration is required. Contact Kalliope Chute at least 2 weeks ahead of collection date to register and discuss the type and quantities of materials you plan to bring. (Note: Barnstable County’s contractor cannot accept acutely hazardous materials). Upon registration, we will send you a bill of lading and the fee for disposing materials.
Disposal fees are the same as the cost paid by the town. No additional fees or markups are added.
Links to Additional Information
DEP Summary of Requirements for Small Quantity Generators of Hazardous Waste
What To Expect At A Collection
Upon entering the collection site, you will be greeted, given educational materials, and asked if you have mercury to recycle.
You will be asked if you have mercury to recycle.
Survey and Sort: While HHW staff members sort your waste, a six question survey will be given. This is an anonymous survey used for administrative and statistical purposes only.
Collection: After being surveyed and sorted, you will be directed to the unloading station where your waste is then collected by the contracted hazardous waste hauler. Residents are asked to stay in their vehicles throughout the entire process.
How Do I Dispose Of…
We know, this is confusing! It is common for residents to bring non-hazardous wastes, such as latex paint, water-based stains and finishes to the collections. These ARE NOT accepted at collections as you can dispose of these products yourself. To dispose of these items, pour over cat litter to absorb liquid and throw away; or dry out and throw in the trash. Still confused? Click below for a breakdown of the most common products and items we get questioned about.
It’s important to know that latex paint is not hazardous and is not accepted at HHW Collections. Click here for Cape Cod’s 2024 Latex Paint Take Back Day.
Additional Resources
New England Disposal Technologies, Inc. (NEDT) has opened a Household Hazardous Products Collection Center in Sutton, MA. This collection site, permitted by the MassDEP, is available to accept waste materials from households located in any community in the Commonwealth. The facility provides a safe hazardous products management option for Massachusetts residents who many have missed their local collection, or do not want to wait for their next scheduled local collection. Click here for additional information.
- Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facilities in Massachusetts
- Common Household Hazardous Products
- Use, Storage, and Disposal of Household Cleaning Products
- Stain Removal
- 10 Ways to Find Safer Cleaners
- Disposal of Smoke Detectors
- Click here to find a list of manufacturers that take back smoke detectors
- Visitor’s Guide to Recycling on Cape Cod
- Sack the bag!
Off-season Options
The Barnstable County HHW Collections only operarate from April to October, but you do have options for disposing of your household hazardous waste during the off-season.
Click here to download Off Season Household Hazardous Waste Options
New England Disposal Technologies, Inc. (NEDT) has opened a Household Hazardous Products Collection Center in Sutton, MA. This collection site, permitted by the MassDEP, is available to accept waste materials from households located in any community in the Commonwealth. The facility provides a safe hazardous products management option for Massachusetts residents who many have missed their local collection, or do not want to wait for their next scheduled local collection. Click here for additional information.
Click Here for Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facilities in Massachusetts