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Haulers

Household hazardous waste day for Watertown residents

A hatchback trunk loaded with sealed paint cans and a battery in a plastic tub

The Nov 15 event

The city page lists Thursday Oct 22 as passed and Sunday Nov 15 as remaining. It is open only to member towns: Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Lexington, Lincoln, Waltham and Watertown. Stay in your vehicle, put items in the trunk (not the back seat), and bring ID. No fee is stated on the city page. The facility is closed in winter, so if you miss Nov 15 you wait until spring. Waltham's page lists the same facility with other details, including that registration can close at noon the Friday before or at 600 cars.

What to bring and what to leave

Typical items are oil-based paint, solvents, pesticides, antifreeze, gasoline, auto batteries and pool chemicals. Water-based (latex) paint is not accepted, and dried latex can go in the trash. Pack containers upright and sealed in a plastic tub so nothing rolls in the trunk. Keep products in the original labelled containers. Fluorescent bulbs and mercury items have a separate year-round option at the Watertown Recycle Center. Check each product against the facility's list before loading the car so you do not make the trip for nothing.

What a hauler cannot take

Paint, solvents and batteries do not belong in a hauler's load, so set them aside. If a garage cleanout turns up cans of old stain, set them aside before the crew arrives so the pickup price stays at the item rate. A quarter trailer is $209, which is a poor use of space for hazardous cans anyway. The city's own bulky pickup does not cover hazardous products either, so a garage with old cans needs this one trip. Registration is online, and residency proof is required.

Getting to the Minuteman event

  1. Register online

    Pre-registration with the Minuteman facility is required before the date.

  2. Gather proof of residency

    Bring ID plus something showing your Watertown address.

  3. Pack the trunk

    Sealed, labelled containers upright in a tub; nothing on the back seat.

  4. Arrive 9am-2pm on Nov 15

    Stay in your vehicle; staff unload.

  5. Take latex paint elsewhere

    Let it dry out and trash it, or give unopened cans away.

Local resources in Watertown

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Quick answers

Where is Watertown's hazardous waste day held?

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At 60 Hartwell Ave, Lexington, at the Minuteman facility.

Is there a fee?

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The Watertown page states none; confirm when you register.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Watertown before you go.

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