Long lines for hazardous waste

Wareham residents had a once-a-year opportunity to dispose of hazardous household waste the morning of Saturday, Oct. 21. 

Those who took advantage of the opportunity had to wait almost two hours in their cars at the Wareham Municipal Maintenance building. 

The Household Hazardous Product Collection Day, sponsored by the Town of Wareham, offered the chance to dispose of household products with hazardous materials in them. The event occurs on an annual basis. 

A wide range of common household products qualify as 'hazardous', including ammonia cleaners and bleach, paint thinner, products containing mercury, over the counter medicines and fire extinguishers.  

Staff members with the municipal maintenance department also said the event was busy. The line was backed up all morning, and the event was busier than the one held last summer, said one worker.

Trident Environmental Group provides hazardous waste management and other services and worked with the Town of Wareham on the day’s collection.

"Sometimes we've gotten grenades. People bring in flares, things they shouldn't," said one Trident worker, speaking of other events she had attended. The Wareham hazardous waste day didn't have any items of that nature, consisting mostly of the more normal sorts of household hazardous objects, she said. 

She added there was a lot of trash per car at the Wareham event, contributing to the long lines.