Brookline Department of Public Works Offers Household Hazardous and Universal Waste Disposal Opportunities

BROOKLINE — The Brookline Department of Public Works (DPW) would like to share several opportunities offered to residents to safely dispose of household hazardous and universal waste throughout the Town.

Beginning May 6, Brookline’s Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Facility, 815 Newton St. (Brookline Transfer Station), will be open every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 28. This free service is available to all Brookline residents with proof of residency, such as a government-issued ID, utility bill, lease agreement, or similar documentation.

“We are excited once again to offer this valuable service to help the residents of Brookline safely and responsibly dispose of hazardous materials from their households,” said Erin Chute, Commissioner of Public Works. “We’ve handled over 3,700 individual resident drop-offs at the Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Facility since 2022 and look forward to offering this essential service again this year at no additional cost to residents.” 

The Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Facility accepts a wide range of items, including lightbulbs and CFLs, batteries, oil-based paints, mercury-containing products, fuels, and garden fertilizers.

All collected materials are either recycled or disposed of safely. Please note that certain items are not accepted, including latex or acrylic (water-based) paints, asbestos, infectious or biological waste, prescription medications, sharps, and commercial hazardous waste.

Additionally, the only bulk items accepted are tires, electronics, and small appliances. Residents who receive municipal trash service can schedule and pay for curbside pickup of other bulk items, such as furniture, mattresses, and large appliances, by visiting www.brooklinema.gov/Bulky. A full list of accepted and non-accepted materials is available at www.brooklinema.gov/HazardousWaste.

Facility Safety Guidelines
To ensure the health and safety of residents and DPW staff, all visitors must follow these guidelines:

• Keep products in their original containers; products in non-original containers will not be accepted.
• Never mix hazardous materials, as this can cause dangerous reactions.
• Transport all items securely in the trunk of your car or the bed of your truck.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times while at the facility; DPW staff will remove the materials for you.
• Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited at the facility.

The Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Facility is an outdoor facility and may be closed or have altered hours due to inclement weather. These closures will be shared on the DPW webpage, DPW social media, and the We Recycle Brookline application.

Additional Universal Waste Disposal Locations:

• Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St. From May through October, residents can drop off the following items during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.): single-use and rechargeable batteries, filled aerosol cans and lightbulbs (up to 50 inches long)
• Brookline Public Works Town Hall Office, 333 Washington St., 4th Floor, accepts single-use and rechargeable batteries year-round during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.).
• Brookline Public Works Municipal Service Center, 870 Hammond St., accepts single-use/rechargeable batteries and lightbulbs by appointment only. Appointment hours: Mondays (12 – 3 p.m.), Wednesdays (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.), and Fridays (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.). To schedule an appointment, please contact Michael Alexander-Doyle, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, at madoyle@brooklinema.gov.

For more information on household hazardous waste programs, visit www.brooklinema.gov/HazardousWaste.