Household Hazardous Waste

Regional Household Hazardous Waste and Paper Shredding Events 

The City of Middletown works with the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments to offer opportunities for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste.  Collection days are usually held in the the spring, summer and fall.  Middletown residents can attend these events at no charge.  

If you are interested in volunteering at one of these events, please contact RiverCOG directly at 860-581-8554 or email jehlemeyer@rivercog.org.

2023 Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collections (9am - 1pm) 

2023  HHW Events are held 9am - 1pm 

April 22, 2023 in Clinton: Clinton Public Works Garage, 117 Nod Rd., Clinton, CT
May 6, 2023 in East Hampton: East Hampton Water Pollution Control Authority, 20 Gildersleeve Dr., East Hampton, CT (just off Route 66)
June 17, 2023 in Old Lyme: Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, 49 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT
July 22, 2023 in Cromwell: Woodside Intermediate School, 30 Woodside Rd., Cromwell, CT
August 19, 2023 in Essex: The OLD HHW Facility, 11 Dump Rd., Essex
September 16, 2023 in Middletown:  Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Rd., Middletown, CT
October 21, 2023 in Haddam: Haddam Elementary School, 272 Saybrook Rd., Higganum

Please email the City Recycling Coordinator if you have questions.


Acceptable Items

Items accepted at a HHW Collection include: 

  • Adhesives
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Ammonia
  • Ant Sprays
  • Artists Paints
  • Brake and Transmission Fluids
  • Charcoal Lighter Fluid
  • Cleaning Solvents
  • Epoxy Products and Glues
  • Floor Care Products
  • Fungicides
  • Gasoline and Diesel
  • Herbicides and Insecticides
  • Kerosene
  • Mercury and Mercury Switches
  • Mercury Thermostats
  • Moth Balls
  • Oil and Latex-Based Paints
  • Oven and Drain Cleaners
  • Paint Strippers and Thinners
  • Pesticides
  • Photographic Chemicals
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Rechargeable Batteries
  • Turpentine
  • Wood and Metal Polishes
  • Wood Preservatives

Unacceptable Items

Items not accepted at a HHW Collection include:

  • Ammunition
  • Biohazard
  • Business Waste (Unless Prior Arrangements Are Made for Small Businesses)
  • Car Batteries
  • Cement
  • Electronics
  • Empty Containers of Any Kind
  • Explosives
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Freon
  • Ice Melt
  • Marine Flares
  • Medical Waste
  • Medicines
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Tires
  • Used Oil

Common Items We Are Asked About - 


Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries (regular household batteries) can be brought to the Household Hazardous Collections for recycling. Alkaline batteries do not contain mercury but can be recycled through the collections. Alkaline batteries can also be brought to the Recycling Center (in the electronics container) or the 2nd floor of City Hall for recycling. 

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be brought to:
Roybal Fire Equipment
33 Forest Street
Middletown, CT
Phone: 860-347-2189

Fluorescent Bulbs

Most fluorescent bulbs also contain mercury and should be disposed of properly. Compact fluorescent bulbs can be brought to Home Depot or Lowes for recycling. The Middletown Recycling Center and Russell Library also accept them. Long fluorescent tubes from residences can also be brought to the Recycling Center or to a Household Hazardous Collection Day for safe disposal.

Paint

Latex and oil-based paint can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection day. Unopened cans of latex paint can be donated to non-profit organizations, such as Oddfellows Playhouse or Habitat for Humanity. Check with the local organization for acceptance and drop off instructions. 

The State of Connecticut passed Public Act 11-24, An Act Establishing a Paint Stewardship Program, in 2011. This legislation establishes a paint stewardship program for managing unused and unwanted latex and oil based paint. In accordance with this Act, Ace Hardware on South Main Street and Sherwin Williams Paint Store on Route 372 in Cromwell have initiated programs to take back oil based and latex paint for recycling. Contact these stores directly for their specific requirements for drop off. For more information on paint recycling, check out the PaintCare website.

Unused Medication

Unused medication should not be flushed down the drain.  EVER.  The Middletown Police Department offers an unused medication drop off in its lobby or the Middletown Health Department offers unused medication disposal bags.   

You can also watch for a Drug Take Back Day, which is held in various locations in April and October. 

More information can be found here.  

Waste Oil 

Waste Oil is not accepted at the City Recycling Center.  In 2018, it was contaminated with PCB's and it was very costly to remove and dispose properly.   Waste oil is accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collections or can be brought to some local retailers (PDF) for recycling. 

Hazardous Waste type Items Accepted at the City Recycling Center

Certain other items are accepted on a regular basis at the City Recycling Center. These include:

  • Antifreeze
  • Electronics
  • Freon Containing Items (Refrigerators, Air Conditioners)*
  • Alkaline batteries 
  • Lead Acid Batteries
  • Tires*

* These items have a fee associated with them.  For more information on Household Hazardous Waste email the City Recycling Coordinator.


Updated March 2023