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    • Household hazardous waste on Cape Cod: Storage and disposal tips
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    Household hazardous waste on Cape Cod: Storage and disposal tips

    Harry Posted on

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    It can be easy to forget about disposing of household hazardous waste. Cape Cod. These containers of pesticides, cleaners, and oil-based paints often slumber in odd corners of garages, sheds, and basements, saying nothing useful like “hey you, get rid of me safely.”

    Therefore, it is also easy to miss the many disposal opportunities that waste provides. Cape Cod Cooperative Extension during Domestic Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection season ended in October.

    In a phone interview, the extension’s hazardous materials environmental specialist, Kalliope Chute, used a Britney Spears song title to sum up the feeling forgetful Cape residents might have: “Oops!…I Did It Again.”

    However, the extension has recently been useful guide information regarding responsible HHW storage during the off-season as well as off-Cape disposal facilities open at this time of year. Here are some of the options:

    Save your household chemicals until next picking season

    If you haven’t disposed of your HHW this season, “you’re not alone,” Chute said. However, he added that more than 6,800 people participated in the extermination program in 2024.

    According to Chute, the easiest option for most Cape Cod residents is to stick to household chemicals until the next picking season on the Cape. However, it is important to make sure the materials are stored safely.

    HHW products should be clearly labeled and stored in waterproof containers above areas that may be flooded. Chute is particularly cautious about using basements for storage on the Cape, given the possibility of flooding. If you store hazardous items on a shelf, do not place them above eye level to protect your eyes from accidental spills. Keep hazardous materials out of reach of children and pets.

    Bring your hazardous household waste to a “fixed” facility

    While most Cape Codders are content to wait until next year’s collection season, there are times when HHW needs to be disposed of in a more timely manner. Such situations can arise when a home is sold and needs to be thoroughly cleaned, Chute said.

    There are fixed facilities in the state that collect HHW for a fee. A. list of these facilities Available at: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website. The closest facility to Cape Cod is in Braintree, Chute said.

    What is household hazardous waste?

    By Barnstable County Domestic Hazardous Waste Collection programthese are “products and materials that are too toxic to be thrown into our garbage because they could harm you, your family, or the environment.” These include “dyes, chemicals, mercury and marine materials.” These products are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages and sheds. These may include metal polish, oven cleaner, drain opener, paint thinner, pesticides, and even mercury in old thermometers or blood pressure monitors.

    When will the 2025 household hazardous waste collection calendar be published?

    Chute, who will retire at the end of the year, said the 2025 HHW collection schedule will likely be released in February. Collection events are held around Cape Cod throughout the season. Check the Barnstable County website (capecod.gov) for updates. Then, it might make sense to enter the appropriate dates into your phone calendar to avoid missing the pickup boat.

    Eric Williams writes about various ways to enjoy the Cape, weather, wildlife and more. Contact him at: [email protected]. Follow him on X: @capecast.

    Thank you to our subscribers who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a subscription to the Cape Cod Times.Here are our subscription plans.

    Harry
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