Canton to Hold Hazardous Waste Collection After Split from MDC

Time to gather up all those old paint cans, half-empty chemical bottles and anything else that's lying around in preparation for the hazardous waste collection day.

Rising fees for MDC collection days prompted town officials to opt out of the MDC collection days and as a result, residents can no longer bring items to MDC hazardous waste days, according to a release on the town's website. Instead, the towns of Avon, Canton, Simsbury and Granby are jointly offering a collection day at the Simsbury Public Works Facility at 66 Town Forest Road, Simsbury on Aug. 17.

“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 Canton’s Director of Public Works, Robert J. Martin.

The collection will run from 8 a.m. to noon and will be open to all residents from Simsbury, Avon, Canton and Granby. 

The usual guidelines for what is accepted are the same for the town collection, but residents with specific questions may check the Public Works web site or contact the Canton Public Works Department at 860-693-7863.

The town also lists the following commonly asked questions: 

1.          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.

2.          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

3.          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”.

4.          How do I dispose of old electronics?

Canton’s Transfer Station, located at Ramp Road will accept old electronics (televisions, computers, monitors, etc.) during their normal operating hours (Tuesday thru Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30pm) at no cost to the resident. 

1. What can I bring to a collection?

In general, products that are toxic, flammable, or corrosive, such as: chemicals, cleaners, batteries (not car batteries), CFLs, gasoline, insecticides, oil paint, wood stain, turpentine.

1. Can I go to any collection?

No, this year residents of Canton 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. 

1. How do I dispose of unwanted medications?

Unwanted medications can be disposed of in the lobby of the Canton Police Station at 45 River Road.

1. 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.

1. How do I dispose of my air conditioner?

Canton’s Transfer Station, located at Ramp Road will accept air conditioners during their normal operating hours (Tuesday thru Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)  Fees are posted on the Town’s web site and a permit is required.