Town of North Reading, MA - Disposing of Other Materials

Appliances	See “White goods”
Batteries	* Car batteries - Automotive batteries are collected during the Special Collection Day. * Household batteries (alkaline and heavy duty) - Standard household batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) can now be thrown in the trash. They used to contain added mercury, but no longer do. * Rechargeable batteries (NiMH and Ni-Cad) - Nickel-metal-hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) are collected during the Household Hazardous Waste Day. * Button batteries - Button batteries, found in hearing aids, watches, and calculators, contain mercury; take them to the Board of Health or bring them on Household Hazardous Waste Day.
Christmas trees	Leave your Christmas tree on your curb on trash day during the first full two weeks after Christmas.
Mercury	North Reading's Board of Heath (at Town Hall) accepts mercury thermometers, some thermostats, button batteries, and other sources of mercury.
Monitors and TVs	Computer (PC) monitors and televisions, which contain lead and may not go in the trash, can be picked up by special arrangement. Call JRM Hauling to schedule a collection.
Oil	Used oil is collected at the Spindler DPW Complex on the last Saturday of each month from April through November.
Paint	* Oil-based paint – Oil-based paint is collected during the town’s Household Hazardous Waste Day. * Latex paint – Latex paint cans can be thrown in the trash once dry. First leave the cans open in a safe place to allow the liquid to evaporate. Adding cat litter can speed the process.
Smoke detectors	Smoke detectors can go in the trash (remove the battery first). Some smoke detectors have radioactive sensing devices, but with only very low amounts of radioactivity.
Television sets	See “Monitors and TVs”.
Propane tanks	Propane tanks are collected during the town's Special Collection Day.
Tires	Tires are collected during the Special Collection Day.
White goods	If the white goods -- refrigerators, stoves, freezers, or air conditioners -- are still usable, see the Re-Use Alternatives page for disposal options. If not, they are too big to go in the trash, but can be picked up by special arrangement; call JRM Hauling to schedule a collection.
Yard waste (grass clippings and leaves)	You can take your yard waste (no brush allowed) to the Drop-Off Recycling Center at the Spindler DPW Complex on Chestnut Street, open on Saturdays from April through November, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring it loose or in biodegradable bags -- no plastic bags.
Other household hazardous waste	See the page on Household Hazardous Waste Day.