NEDT Admin, Author at NEDT

Everything You Need to Know About Hazardous Battery Disposal

March 29, 2021 By NEDT Admin Leave a Comment

Our world runs on batteries, from the ones in our cars to those in our smartphones. Most people only think of them when they run out, but we should all think about how to handle and dispose of them to keep ourselves and our homes safe. Today, we’re going to look at household battery disposal, how to handle and store them, what hazardous household waste they can contain, and where you can dispose of them.

Automotive Batteries

In New England, cold weather can make short work of automotive batteries for unwary drivers. Regardless, we all go through car batteries as they lose charge. If you do have to handle one, make sure to do so with acid-resistant rubber or leather gloves. Keep sparks, flames, and metal objects away from batteries, and cover any removed battery’s posts with electrical tape.

Do not throw car batteries in the trash, as they contain lead and sulfuric acid. Most vehicle battery retailers will accept used batteries when purchasing a new one. If your waste management company has a recycling center or a community household hazardous waste event, they usually take these there.

Household Batteries

Car batteries may be the biggest, but you likely have dozens of batteries at home of various shapes and sizes, many of which contain hazardous materials. Make sure to know how to deal with consumer batteries of all kinds.

Alkaline batteries: Most non-rechargeable batteries in the US today are alkaline batteries. These are safe to dispose of in the trash. They tend to leak potassium hydroxide once they lose charge. This can damage electronics and burn skin, so inspect batteries before handling them.
Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries: Commonly known as “rechargeable batteries” or NiCads, these batteries can be loose or built into electronics. They contain the hazardous metal cadmium and should not be thrown in the trash.
Lithium batteries: Found in computer and camera electronics, including smartphones, lithium is a hazardous substance that is reactive to water and can cause fires. Do not throw them in the trash.
Button batteries: These small batteries are often found in small devices like watches and hearing aids. Many button batteries contain mercury and should not be thrown in the trash. Many stores that sell those small products will accept spent button batteries.

For all batteries that can’t be disposed of in the trash, they should be stored safely in a secure, dry place out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure the container is non-metal and vented, and avoid mixing different kinds of rechargeable battery types. Store until the next available disposal event or take them to your local disposal center.

Here at the NEDT Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers, we believe that through knowing your disposal options and doing your research, we can all have safer, greener lives. If you’d like to learn more about how to deal with common household hazardous waste, check out our Fact Sheets. If you need help disposing of your household hazardous waste, find your closest location or contact us for pick up!

Small Business Hazardous Waste: MA’s VSQG Requirements

March 15, 2021 By NEDT Admin Leave a Comment

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) requires all businesses that generate hazardous waste to properly manage, store, and dispose of them. The issue comes with scale: while large businesses can have the budget to use the required hazardous transportation and disposal companies, small companies that only produce a handful via cleaning solvents, oils, inks, paints, acids, or alkalines can’t afford those same costs. This is where MA’s Very Small Quality Generators (VSQG) program comes in, which allows for a significant reduction in cost for small MA VSQG generators when using NEDT’s Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers for the disposal of hazardous wastes.

Know the VSQG Requirements and Get Registered in MA

Does your MA business qualify as a VSQG? Here are the basic requirements:

Hazardous Waste Per Month: Generates less than 220 pounds (about 27 gallons) of hazardous waste or waste oil per month and no acutely hazardous waste.
Total Hazardous Waste Cap: May accumulate up to 2,200 pounds (about 270 gallons) for an indefinite period of time.

Getting Registered for MA’s VSQG Program

You’ll need to visit the MassDEP Hazardous Waste Generation & Generators page and obtain an EPA ID via the online myRCRAid portal (RCRA is the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) to start the VSQG process. You can find more information, including wait times, on the above page.

Know the Self-Transport Limits and Stay Safe!

Once you’ve got your VSQG registration, you can start to self-transport your hazardous waste to a certified disposal or recycling facility. Make sure to follow these requirements:

Keep a copy of your VSQG registration in the vehicle.
Transport no more than 55 gallons of hazardous waste at one time.
Do not transport incompatible wastes (such as alkaline cleaner and battery acid) together.
Keep all waste in sealed and labeled containers secured to the vehicle.

You also have to adhere to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Massachusetts Department of Public Safety (DPS) shipping restrictions and container, label, placard, and permit requirements. In the event of a spill, you need to call the MassDEP’s Emergency Response line at 1-888-304-1133. Learn more about the reporting thresholds here.

Before Your Self-Transport, Contact Your Disposal Facility

While self-transporting costs significantly less and allows you to transport on your own schedule, don’t forget to contact your disposal or recycling business first before loading up. Depending on what you have and quantities, certain restrictions may apply or materials may not be accepted. Make sure to know before you go!

Through our Small Business Quick Serv Program, NEDT Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers accept commercial hazardous waste from MA very small quantity generators (VSQG) that are registered with the Mass DEP and have a valid EPA ID number. Call NEDT at 1 (866) 769-1621 prior to delivering your materials as important restrictions apply. Learn more about what we accept and where we are located. If you’re an SQG or LQG business, reach out to us on our commercial site.

What Are My Options for Disposing of Household Products?

February 26, 2021 By NEDT Admin Leave a Comment

When you encounter a product you can’t pour down the drain or throw in the garbage to dispose of it, chances are you’ve got a hazardous household product. Depending on where you live, you’ve got different options. Below are the most common ways homeowners dispose of hazardous products they accumulate, including helpful links for Massachusetts residents for disposing of household products.

City and County Household Disposal Events

Many cities and county municipalities host events for disposing of household hazardous waste. These usually occur once or twice a year with set drop-off points. These can generally be found on your city’s website under their trash and recycling programs. Many have a restricted list of what they’ll accept or have weight limits, so make sure to review it ahead of time.

For residents of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has put together this page with handy links for city and town websites: https://www.mass.gov/lists/massachusetts-city-town-recycling-links

Note that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, many events have been canceled until further notice.

Charity and Non-Profit Donation Programs

If you’ve got products that you don’t want but are still usable, such as CRT monitors, cleaning supplies, or construction materials like paint, you might check in with your local charities and other non-profits. Each program will take only certain things, but they can often help with pickup. Make sure everything you’re looking to provide is still safe for use.

For Massachusetts’ residents, MassDEP has put together a list of non-profit donation and reuse programs here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/donation-reuse

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilities

If you can’t wait for the next community events and have waste that can’t be donated, it’s time to turn to garbage and disposal facilities.

The Local Dump: While some products can be disposed of at home in the garbage, most “hazardous” household waste are products that can’t be thrown away. While larger items can be taken directly to your city’s dump, if it’s hazardous, it will be turned away.
Disposal Programs: While it varies from city to city, some waste management companies also provide hazardous disposal services. These are usually on certain days, have restrictions, and have additional costs.
Disposal Businesses: Residential hazardous disposal businesses are rare, but it’s always worth looking into them for increased convenience, including hours, pick-up services, and expanded lists of what they accept.

NEDT’s Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers came out of the desire to provide alternatives to the often complex and rare opportunities for residents to get hazardous products out of their homes. Our tagline is “Because Household Hazardous Waste Shouldn’t Be Difficult,” and we stand behind it. Learn what we accept and our locations and times, and make sure to reach out if you have any questions.

Mercury and Other Hazardous Metals Used in Household Lighting and Electronics

February 15, 2021 By NEDT Admin Leave a Comment

Thankfully, there are very few hazardous substances with which residential consumers come into contact in the United States. A combination of regulation, safety measures, and standards of technology keep most safe. However, when certain household products are mishandled or disposed of improperly, they can lead to risks. Household lighting and electronics can contain mercury and other hazardous heavy metals: learn more about which to watch out for and how to handle them. [Read more…]

What to Do to Have Fewer Hazardous Products at Home

January 29, 2021 By NEDT Admin Leave a Comment

Whether they are sitting out in the garage, stuffed in the spare room, or hiding under the sink, we’ve all got both products and waste that we know is dangerous and not easily disposed of. For many of our visitors to the NEDT collection centers, all they needed to hit the goal of fewer hazardous products at home is a little push. We hope this post is the little push for you. [Read more…]