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Reminder!! Street Cleaning Operations Underway  (7/3/2008)
Residents of the Peninsula are reminded to observe parking restrictions in effect for street cleaning. Fail to do so could result in the towing of your vehicle. More

Want to Receive Important Construction Announcements from the City of Portland?  (2/27/2008)
Interested in finding out about major construction projects in the City of Portland before you find yourself in a long line of traffic? E-mail us to be added to the subscriber list More

Find Your Trash and Recycling Day  (2/23/2007)
Have a question on when your trash or recycling is picked up? More

household hazardous waste program

Beginning on July 5, 2008, residents with and e-card will be able to dispose of hazardous waste at the Riverside Recycling Facility. Our new permanent collection facility will be open every Saturday from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM to facilitate convenient disposal of potentially hazardous items found in the home, workshop or garage. Portland e-card holders may dispose of, for free, up to 10 gallons of HHW with a maximum of TWO visits (i.e. two visits of a gallon each or one visit with ten gallons would use up your card for the year). Unfortunately, we cannot accept hazardous waste from businesses.

How will the drop-off program work?

  1. Prepare your household hazardous waste for drop off.  When preparing hazardous items for disposal at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, be sure that liquids are in sturdy leak-proof containers with caps or lids. Use the original container whenever possible. Secure breakable or loose items inside boxes or bags. Do not mix items together. Be careful that no items spill or break when they are in your vehicle.
  2. Bring your items to Riverside Recycling, 910 Riverside St. on Saturday between 7 AM and 4 PM. When you arrive at the facility, stop at the attendant’s booth and speak with the staff. Present your e-card.
  3. Follow any directions you receive at the attendant’s booth and proceed to the facility. When you pull up at the HHW facility, stay in your vehicle. The HHW staff will assist you with removing your items.

The following are items commonly found in Portland homes that can be disposed of as part of the City of Portland’s household hazardous waste program.  

Cleaning Products

  • Oven cleaners
  • Drain cleaners
  • Wood and metal cleaners and polishes
  • Toilet cleaners
  • Tub, tile, shower cleaners
  • Bleach (laundry)
  • Pool chemicals

Indoor Pesticides

  • Ant sprays and baits
  • Cockroach sprays and baits
  • Flea repellents and shampoos
  • Bug sprays
  • Houseplant insecticides
  • Moth repellents
  • Mouse and rat poisons and baits

Automotive Products

  • Motor oil
  • Fuel additives
  • Carburetor and fuel injection cleaners
  • Air conditioning refrigerants
  • Starter fluids
  • Automotive batteries
  • Transmission and brake fluid
  • Antifreeze

Workshop/Painting Supplies

  • Adhesives and glues
  • Furniture strippers
  • Oil or enamel based paint
  • Stains and finishes
  • Paint thinners and turpentine
  • Paint strippers and removers
  • Photographic chemicals
  • Fixatives and other solvents

Lawn and Garden Products

  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Fungicides/wood preservatives

Miscellaneous

  • Batteries
  • Mercury thermostats or thermometers
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Televisions and computer monitors
  • Driveway sealer

 

Other Flammable Products

  • Propane tanks and other compressed gas cylinders
  • Kerosene
  • Home heating oil
  • Diesel fuel
  • Gas/oil mix
  • Lighter fluid

(Riverside Recycling Facility currently accepts items in red text during regular operating hours)

Please do not bring latex paint to the drop off program.  It is not considered hazardous waste.   Instead, let it harden in the can and put it in your regular trash for curbside pickup.  Also, do not bring explosives, ammunition or medical waste.  If you have questions about a specific item please e-mail us at recycling@portlandmaine.gov or call 797-6200.

Want to learn more about purchasing cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternatives to household hazardous waste?
Do you want to save money and be more ecologically friendly at the same time? Click here to learn more about alternatives to household hazardous waste.

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