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Household Hazardous Waste
Did you know the average household generates more than 20 pounds of household hazardous waste (HHW) per year? As much as 100 pounds can accumulate in the home, often remaining there until the residents move out or do an extensive cleanout. HHW poses safety and environmental concerns in our community. These toxic materials can catch fire or explode if not managed properly causing physical injury to residents, first responders, and solid waste operators. If poured down drains, flushed, or illegally dumped they can contaminate wastewater treatment systems, water supplies, and other natural resources.
Each year AVCOG organizes a regional HHW collection program. In 2022, 35 communities provided resources to assist their residents in the proper disposal of these materials. Together we diverted 40,620 pounds of hazardous waste in 2022, which was the highest in the past seven years!
On the third Saturday of each month May through October Maine residents or property owners can bring HHW to the Environmental Depot located at 424 River Road in Lewiston from 8:00 - 11:45 am. In addition, residents of participating towns listed below have access to six additional one-day HHW satellite collection sites throughout Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties, open 9:00 am-Noon.
2023 HHW schedule
| 5/20 | Lewiston Depot* | 7/15 | Lewiston Depot* | 8/26 | Bethel Transfer Station |
| 6/10 | Mexico Region 9 School | 7/22 | Norway Transfer Station | 9/9 | Wilton Transfer Station |
| 6/17 | Lewiston Depot* | 8/5 | Rangeley Transfer Station | 9/16 | Lewiston Depot* |
| 7/8 | Carrabassett Valley Transfer Station | 8/19 | Lewiston Depot* | 10/21 | Lewiston Depot* |
All others: 9:00 am – Noon – open to participating town residents only.
Participating vs Non-Participating Towns
The following towns are participating in the HHW regional program. Some towns have set a unit limit per household, and will charge $33/unit if you exceed the limit. Residents from towns not participating will be charged $40/unit. Payments may be made in cash or check made payable to AVCOG. See below for the definition of a unit.
| Town (Unit Limit) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover (2) | Hanover (5) | Minot (2) | Roxbury (5) |
| Auburn (10) | Jay (5) | Newry (5) | South Paris (2) |
| Bethel (5) | Kingfield (3) | Norway (2) | Buckfield (2) |
| Byron (5) | Leeds (2) | Oxford (1) | Weld (3) |
| Carrabassett Valley (NA) | Lewiston (2) | Otisfield (2) | West Paris (4) |
| Dixfield (5) | Livermore (2) | Paris (2) | Wilton (10) |
| Eustis (NA) | Livermore Falls (5) | Peru (5) | Woodstock (NA) |
| Farmington (NA) | Mechanic Falls (2) | Rangeley (NA) | Sumner (2) |
| Greenwood (NA) | Mexico (5) | Rumford (5) | |
| *Depot access only* | |||
| Sabattus (2) Hartford (3) |
Unit = 5 gal. or 20 lbs.
- One unit is up to 5 gallons of liquid waste; or 20 pounds of dry waste. A combination of liquid and dry waste (i.e. 2.5 gallons of liquid and 10 pounds of dry).
- One smoke detector may be substituted for one unit.
How Can My Town Sign Up?
Town administrators can sign up online or send in this Participation Form by March 17th to avoid a $50 late fee. For more program details please see our 2023 HHW Factsheet.