Community Corner

Simsbury to Host Household Hazardous Waste Collection Following MDC Price Increase

Simsbury, Canton, Avon, and Granby to collaborate on Hazardous Waste Collection this year.

Written by Jeff Brush 

The towns of Simsbury, Avon, Canton, and Granby will host their own Household Hazardous Waste Collection this summer after the Metropolitan District Commission announced a fee increase for the service this year.

On Saturday August 17 residents of all towns can bring hazardous items to the Simsbury Public Works facility at 66 Town Forest Road in Simsbury from 8 a.m. to noon, according to the town website.

Simsbury residents can no longer take hazardous items to the MDC.

“Managing our own collection will result in a significant savings to our residents and allows the Towns to have better control over the collection process,” said Simsbury Director of Public Works, Tom Roy.  Simsbury anticipates holding collections on a semi-annual basis, in the spring and fall in 2014. 

The town also lists the following frequently asked questions:

What items are acceptable to bring to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection?

  • Fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Batteries - common household batteries including rechargeable batteries (excluding car batteries)
  • Lawn Care Chemicals – fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
  • Switches or Items Containing Mercury – thermometers, thermostats, motion detectors
  • Household cleaners – acids, adhesives, aerosol cans, ammonia, drain cleaner, disinfectants, moth balls, etc.  
  • Chemicals from the garage or workshop - antifreeze, ant/bug spray or bait, brake fluid, old gasoline, oil based paint, lighter fluid, polyurethane, pool chemicals, road flares, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, wood stain, etc.
What items are not acceptable?
  • Ammunition and/or Explosives (including gunpowder) - Call your local Police Department.
  • Asbestos
  • Business Waste – this collection is only for residential waste
  • Car Batteries
  • Cement
  • Electronics
  • Empty Containers  - A container is considered empty when no more than one inch or 3% (by weight) of material is left in the container, these can be disposed of in the regular trash.
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Freon
  • Marine Flares – Pyrotechnic flares cannot be accepted at the Collection because they are categorized as explosives.
  • Ice Melt – Ice melt is not hazardous and can be disposed of in the regular trash.
  • Latex Driveway Sealer (Genite) – Driveway sealer is not hazardous; solidify then throw in the regular trash.
  • Medicine/Drugs/Needles/Syringes
  • Propane Tanks for Gas Grills
  • Appliances
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Tires
  • Used Oil & Oil Filters  
How can I get rid of latex paint? 
  •   You can either bring your paint to the household hazardous waste collection or because latex paint is non-hazardous, you can dry the latex paint and put it in your regular trash. Mixing sand or kitty litter into the paint will accelerate the drying process. Once the paint is dry you can throw the can, with the lid off, into your regular trash.    *If your paint was made prior to 1992, it may contain mercury or lead and should be brought to a household hazardous waste collection. Please mark the container “Pre 1992 Paint – May contain lead or mercury”.    
How do I dispose of old electronics? 
  • Simsbury’s bulky waste facility, located at 77 Wolcott Road will accept old electronics (televisions, computers, monitors, etc.) during their normal operating hours (Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00pm) at no cost to the resident.     
What can I bring to a collection? 
  • In general, products that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive, such as: chemicals, cleaners, batteries (not car batteries), CFLs, gasoline, insecticides, oil paint, wood stain, turpentine…. Please check our website for a more complete list.  
Can I go to any collection? 
  •   No, this year residents of Simsbury can only participate in the collection being held in Simsbury on August 17, 2013 at 66 Town Forest Road in Simsbury between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon.    We hope to have two collections next year.   
How do I dispose of unwanted medications? 
  •   Unwanted medications can be disposed of in the lobby of the Simsbury Police Station at 933 Hopmeadow Street.  
How do I dispose of Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs? 
  •   Home Depot and many of the larger hardware stores now accept unbroken CFLs at the returns desk of local stores. CFLs can also be brought to Household Hazardous Waste Collections.  
How do I dispose of my air conditioner? 
  •   Simsbury’s bulky waste facility, located at 77 Wolcott Road will accept air conditioners during their normal operating hours (Wednesday and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)  Fees are posted on the Town’s web site and a permit is required. 
For more information visit the Public Works Departmet website athttp://www.town.simsbury.ct.us/public-works-highway-buildings-grounds or contact the Simsbury Public Works Department at 860-658-3222. 


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