Hazardous Waste
It is important to handle, store, and dispose of hazardous waste safely, not only to protect yourself, but to protect the environment as well. The Town of Foxborough Department of Public Works (DPW) offers a household hazardous waste day, typically twice a year (Fall and Spring) to residents as a way to safely dispose of any hazardous waste one may have at their residence. This bi-annual event is well-advertised via local newspapers, social media, flyers, and message boards around town. Please visit the DPW Trash & Recycling page for more information and the next event date.
The Highway Department will not accept latex paint during the Hazardous Waste Day. Latex paint is non-hazardous and can simply be hardened and then placed in your regular trash for residential pickup. Oil based paints, thinners or stains on the other hand, CAN be brought to the Foxborough Highway Department on Mondays (excluding holidays) between the hours of 8:00am to 3:00pm.
Have old batteries? That's a tricky one! DEPENDING on the type of battery, you can dispose some in the household trash! Visit the DPW's Trash & Recycling page for more info!
For additional information on hazardous waste found in your home (including proper battery disposal), visit the MA Department of Environmental Protection household hazardous page.
Need to dispose of hazardous waste immediately? Find a Collection Facility Near You and see a list of private disposal facilities open to all municipalities as well as what they'll accept and proper disposal procedures.
Contaminated Sites
Do you know of a property that is contaminated and would like to learn more about the chemical(s) spilled and the cleanup that's occurring on the site? There are over 44,000 hazardous waste sites in Massachusetts. You can look up any of these sites using the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Waste Cleanup database portal.
Public Health Statistics
Visit
Massachusetts Environmental Public Health Tracking for Environmental and Public Health Statistics in your Community.
Biomonitoring
Environmental chemicals are all around us and IN us! They can be found in our air, water, foods, soil, and some consumer products. A small amount of chemicals is expected to be seen in the human body. The Massachusetts DPH, in conjunction with CDC, is working to evaluate the exposure of environmental chemical exposures in Massachusetts and how these may affect the human body. This is called Biomonitoring, learn more and be sure to check out the Biomonitoring Fact Sheet.
Environmental Health
The
Massachusetts Bureau of Environmental Health is the division that oversees programs related to the prevention and outreach of environmental concerns.
Some topics of interest may include:
Mercury
DO NOT PUT ITEMS CONTAINING MERCURY INTO THE TRASH!!!
All mercury bearing items (fluorescent bulbs, thermometers, etc.) may be brought to the Highway Garage during their normal business hours.
What do you do if there's a mercury spill?
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DO NOT PANIC!
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DO NOT ATTEMPT TO VACUUM or SWEEP the mercury up.
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VENTILATE the area - Open Windows and Doors.
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CLEAR THE AREA - Do not allow people to walk through the contaminated area.
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DO NOT dispose of mercury DOWN THE DRAIN.
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For step by step instructions on how to contain/clean up a mercury spill, please see the following links...
When in doubt or have health concerns, call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 (TTY: 1-888-244-5313)