Granby to Join with Other Towns on Hazardous Waste Collection

This article was written and reported by Simsbury Patch Editor Jeff Brush.

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

On Saturday, Aug. 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 Granby town website.

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

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”.    

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 Granby 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 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.  

For more information visit the Simsbury Public Works Department website athttp://www.town.simsbury.ct.us/public-works-highway-buildings-grounds or contact the Simsbury Public Works Department at 860-658-3222.