Tomorrow is last call for residents looking to properly dispose of computer screens, microwaves, air conditioning units, propane tanks, solvents, cleaners and other hazardous materials.
Tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., rain or shine, the town is holding its annual Recycling and Hazardous Waste Day, at the Winter Street landfill.
The Hazardous Waste Day, held once a year, gives residents an easy and cheap way to properly dispose of these items.
Recycling officials are hoping residents take advantage of the event, but also hope residents begin taking a more aggressive approach by not purchasing some of these hazardous materials at all.
Recycling Coordinator Doris Burtman said yesterday it is getting more and more expensive for the town to hire contractors to properly dispose of hazardous materials and she hopes residents are beginning to change their purchasing habits.
"I hope residents take a minute or two to re-evaluate the kinds of cleaners they use and other items that are considered hazardous and whether or not they want to buy those items or have them in their home," Burtman said yesterday, adding that many people don't realize the toxic chemicals that are in every-day cleaners, waxes, solvents, pesticides and polishes.
Burtman said it's important that residents know that taxpayer money pays for the disposal of hazardous items, which provides an even bigger incentive to go green.
"It's really becoming unsustainable," said Burtman, who said the prohibitive cost is one reason the town only has one hazardous waste day a year.
Many items will be taken for free, but some like tires, Freon units, propane tanks have fees. TVs and computer monitors can be thrown out during the year, but it costs $25 for residents to get a sticker from Town Hall to get a curbside pick-up. Tomorrow, residents will be charged $10 for those items.
Selectwoman Helen Donohue said that should encourage residents to start cleaning out any appliances, televisions and other items that carry a fee.
"That's important that people know it will cost more if they try to get rid of it later," said Donohue.
Burtman also encouraged residents to bring any items containing mercury such as old thermometers or thermostats since the state is putting a major emphasis on getting mercury out of the waste stream.
"Once it gets in the air, it gets everywhere into the water supply and into food, so it's not just an environmental issue, it's a public health issue," said Burtman.
Items that will not be accepted include: latex paint, anything containing asbestos, radioactive materials, PCBs and explosives.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
