HARTFORD, Conn. – Nearly 2,500 area residents brought household hazardous waste (HazWaste) to the Metropolitan District Commission’s (MDC) spring series of eight collections throughout the region.

            “This is an impressive number, and each week we receive thanks from customers who appreciate the fact that the MDC provides a safe and  convenient way to dispose of their household hazardous waste,” said Albert F. Reichin, MDC Chairman.

            Even if residents missed the eight collections held this spring, they have the opportunity to participate in any of the 12 collections scheduled for this fall, beginning September 6 in Bloomfield. Collections will continue every Saturday through September and October, in addition to a collection on Sunday, October 26, in Bloomfield. (The fall schedule is attached.)

            The average household has up to 10 gallons of hazardous waste, ranging from antifreeze, oil-based paints, paint strippers and disinfectants, to oven cleaners, herbicides, insecticides, moth balls and lighter fluid.  If not disposed of properly, they can pose serious health risks if touched, smelled or accidentally swallowed. Improperly disposing them down the drain, ground or in the household trash can be damaging to the environment.  Nearly half of all households with children under 5 years of age have at least one pesticide within easy reach.

            Residents of these towns can participate in any MDC HazWaste collection: Ansonia, Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, Cromwell, Derby, Durham, East Granby, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Granby, Haddam, Hartford, Middlefield, Middletown, Newington, Portland, Rocky Hill, Seymour, Simsbury, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.

            Summer is a good time to sort through the hazardous waste found in your home, basement or garage. Put the containers in a sturdy cardboard box, and store away from any heat source, water, children or animals. On collection day, put the box or boxes in the trunk of your car and bring it to the collection site. Staff will remove the HazWaste for you.

Cars per Collection – Spring 2003
Date                 Town                             Cars

May 3               Farmington                    362

May 3               Newington                     330

May 10             Enfield                          376

May 10             Hartford                          96

May 31             Windsor                        391

June 7               Hartford                        108

June 14             East Windsor                240

June 21             Wethersfield                  557

Total:                                                2,460                             

Go to the 2003 MDC Fall HazWaste Collection Schedule

(All collections are from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

RESIDENTS OF ANY PARTICIPATING TOWN CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY MDC SPONSORED COLLECTION DAY*

*  2003 Participating Towns:  Ansonia, Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, Cromwell, Derby,

    Durham, East Granby, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield,   

    Farmington, Granby, Haddam, Hartford, Middlefield, Middletown, Newington, Portland,

    Rocky Hill, Seymour, Simsbury,  West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor,

    Windsor Locks         

(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility)

A non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929, the MDC supplies water and sewer services to its eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor.  The MDC also supplies treated water to the Town of Portland and portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor and Farmington. 

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