Waste

Place empty aerosol cans in the trash.

These can be disposed of safely in your trash.

These are seasonally compostable. Drop them off for free (to Worcester residents) at one of the drop-off locations:

• Millbury Street - Next to the VFW Post.

• Chandler Street - In the parking lot across from Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium.

• Clark Street - Near the East Mountain Street intersection.

It's illegal in Massachusetts to put clothes in the trash! When possible, try to mend and repair clothes. Places like the Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness have Fix It Fridays courses to help you learn how to repair. If you have more clothes than you need, try some of the below options:

• If they're in good shape, sell them (via places like Facebook Marketplace, ThredUp, Depop, or Mercari). 

• Alternatively you can donate them to thrift stores like Abby's House or use Helpsy, which has partnered with the city of Worcester to offer clothing pickups from your home. 

• You can also do a clothing swap with friends or organize one for the community (places like The Thicket organize clothing swaps every now and again). 

• As a last resort, you can donate these items to places like Savers and Goodwill, but the EPA estimates that 84% of donated clothing ends up in landfills and incinerators.

There are four Hazardous Waste Days a year where hazardous waste can be dropped off to be disposed of safely. You can also schedule an appointment. See here for what is accepted.

These are not recyclable. :-( Some ideas below:

• Donate them to a local pet shelter, such as Worcester Animal Rescue League.

• Mail them to Matthew 25: Ministries to be reused for medical aid.

• Use them to propagate plant cuttings.

• Store things in 'em (especially good for going in purses or for travel), like:

  • bandaids

  • bobby pins and hair clips

  • Christmas ornament hooks

  • coins

  • cotton swabs

  • roll of dog poop bags

  • wired headphones

  • jewelry

  • nails

  • paper clips

  • razor blades

  • seeds

  • tacks

  • toothpicks

Expired or unused medicine should not be flushed, poured down the drain, or thrown in the trash.

Take unwanted prescription drugs to a permanent waste medication kiosk near you. These kiosks are usually located at your local police station, hospital, clinic or fire station. You can also take them to a local collection point on the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

See Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs for additional information.

Do not put syringes in the trash!!! 

Locations for Safe Syringe Disposal in Worcester:

Contact the Needle Disposal Site in advance to determine restrictions and disposal schedules:

• AIDS Project Worcester (484 Main Street | 508-755-3773)

• Edward M. Kennedy Community Health (19 Tacoma Street | 508-852-1805)

• City of Worcester, Division of Public Health (25 Meade Street | 508-799-8531)

• Family Health Center (26 Queen Street | 508-860-7750)

• Worcester Senior Center (128 Providence Street | 508-799-1232)

Mail-Back Options:

If you can't visit a drop-off center in Worcester, consider using a mail-back service. They provide a variety of container sizes and prepaid mailing cartons. Massachusetts recommends these services:

• Medasend: 800-200-3581

• Stericycle: 800-355-8773

• Sharps Compliance, Inc.: 800-772-5657

How to Dispose of Used Syringes:

Used syringes and other sharps should always be placed in a sharps container and disposed of safely - either at a local drop-off site or in a mail-back program. Do not clip, bend or recap needles. Always keep sharps and containers away from children and pets.