Alphabetical Listing

APPLIANCES: see bulky items

BATTERIES

Alkaline & Carbon-Zinc ("Heavy Duty") Place these with normal household trash. 

Other Batteries All of the batteries listed below need to be treated as hazardous waste and can be brought to Town Hall where a permanent battery disposal box is located, saved for the next hazardous waste disposal day, which is held yearly or accepted by the seller of the replacement battery.  Notice of hazardous waste disposal day will be posted in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on the Tyngsboroughma.gov web site and on Channel 8. 

Rechargeable Batteries:  Nickel-Cadmium Batteries and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) (commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular & cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, remote control toys)

For additional information log onto www.rbrc.org (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation). 

Button Cell Batteries Most small, round "button cell" type batteries contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium or other heavy metals as their main component. These materials leak in landfills, can enter the water table, and are even worse when incinerated. Many shops that replace watch and hearing aid batteries will accept your batteries for recycling at no charge.

Automotive batteries Automotive batteries contain lead. Lead is both toxic and valuable; in the US over 95% of all automotive batteries are recovered and recycled. Virtually any place that sells batteries will take them back.  

BICYCLES

Pedals for Progress ships bikes to developing countries around the world.  Their plan is that they try to get community organizations to do a one-time (or once yearly) collection rather than have a donor site.  If you belong to a church, Scout group or similar group that wants to do this, there is contact information at their web site to help you set it up. www.p4p.org, or call 908-638-4811.  Bikes not Bombs at 59 Armory Street in Roxbury, 617-442-0004 does similar work.

BOOKS

Consider donating books to the Friends of the Tyngsborough Public Library for their annual fall (October) and spring (June) Book Sales.  Text books older than 5 years, Readers Digest Condensed books, and magazines cannot be accepted.  Encyclopedias older than 10 years are also not accepted. Books that cannot be sold are donated to “Hands Across the Water", a group that sends used books to needy countries for reuse.  Books can be dropped off at the Library during regular Library hours 6 weeks prior to the book sales.  If you don’t want to hold onto the books until the next book sale, consider donating them to Lowell Wish.

 

BUILDING MATERIALS/HOUSE FIXTURES
(Also see “Construction & Demolition” category below)

The Building Materials Resource Center (BMRC) (Roxbury, MA. 617-442-8917, www.bostonbmrc.org) accepts donations of reusable building material and house fixtures, providing a pick-up service with two weeks notice.  Types of items collected are kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom vanities, sinks, faucets, tubs and enclosures, windows (no lead paint), doors (interior, exterior, storm), dimensional lumber, moldings, plywood and sheet rock (full sheets), flooring (hard wood, sheet vinyl, ceramic tile), carpeting and carpet tiles, electrical light fixtures, and electrical equipment. 

The Center distributes these goods to needy homeowners and nonprofit organizations.  Contributing items to the BMRC also eliminates the environmental impact of disposal and saves the town on trash removal fees.  Request that your contractors consider BMRC when disposing of excess building materials.  Donated items are tax deductible.

Habitat for Humanity (will pick up – not all leftovers can be re-used)  Greater Lowell office mailing address is PO Box 1783 Lowell, MA 01853-1783 Phone: (978) 454-1046  E-mail: hfhgl@att.net

CARPETING

To dispose at the curb:  Cut into 4 foot lengths, tie into rolls 12 inches or less in diameter, and no heavier than 50 pounds. Carpet pads may be put in bags.  Or, ask the seller of your new carpet to remove the old carpet and pad.

CELL PHONES (see ink cartridges/cell phones)

Tens of millions of cellular telephones are put in boxes every year and are never used again. Not only are phones are useful, but they also contain toxic materials. They should be recycled.

Donate a Phone: Call to Protect Aids in the fight against domestic violence. Wireless phones are reprogrammed with emergency phone numbers and redistributed free of charge to victims in need. Local drop off locations are:
  • Hudson NH, WAL-MART
  • THE BODY SHOPPE in Pheasant Lane Mall
You can also mail the phone (battery & charger accepted) to:

CALL to PROTECT
c/o Motorola
1580 E. Ellsworth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Or log on to www.donateaphone.com for a complete list of local drop off locations.  When purchasing a new phone your new cell phone provider should have a recycling receptacle for your old phone.

CLOTHING

  • Evangelical Congregational Church Thrift Store, 25 Kendall Rd., Tyngsboro, 978-251-9837.
  • Lowell Wish Project, 1A Foundry Street , Lowell , MA (off Plain Street ), 978-441-9474
  • Suitability, 319 Central Street, Lowell, 978-934-8898.  Women’s work-appropriate clothing.   Suitability provides clothing for women coming off welfare returning to the work force.  Call before going. 
  • Sylvia's Haven, Fort Devens, 978-772-0925.  Clothing for homeless women and children. 
  • Local Drop Boxes are located at: Saint Mary Magdalen Rectory, Mobil on the Run, Corner of Dunstable and Westford Roads (diagonal from Flints Corner), Pines Restaurant (near Ayottes), Staples parking lot on Daniel Webster Hwy. in Nashua, between the DCU Credit Union and McDonalds in Hudson , NH
  • St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, 701 Merrimack St., Lowell, 978-453-7750.
COMPUTERS & COMPONENTS

Call Appliance Recyclers at 1-877-228-2898.

Contact a nearby TV repair shop, electronics retailer or electronics recycling company to see if they accept computers, televisions, and other electronics for recycling from residents and small businesses. (For a listing of electronics recyclers, consult the electronic equipment section of the Recycling Services Directory on the DEP web site at www.mass.gov/dep/recycle.  Computers may also be disposed of at Tyngsborough’s annual hazardous waste disposal day for a small fee.  Notification will be posted in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on the Board of Health portion of www.tyngsboroughma.gov web site and on Channel 8.

Microseconds, 291 South Broadway, Salem, NH 03079 MicroSeconds buys most PC compatible equipment that is relatively current, clean and in good working order. They pick up computer equipment, and offer equipment disposal. Simply bring your equipment in - no appointment necessary. If it is not possible to bring your equipment in or you have a large amount of equipment please call 603-894-1993 or email info@microseconds.net

Consider donating your computer. Visit the following web sites for details:

www.sharetechnology.org Connects computer donors and non-profit donation seekers throughout the country.

www.charityamerica.com  Unites donors and businesses with qualified charities from across the nation.

www.kidsource.com Kidsource’s Computing EDGE program helps match needy schools with excess, unused or obsolete computer equipment donated by individuals or corporations.

www.pcsforschools.org The Computers for Schools Association maintains a web site to assist you in donating your computer to schools.

www.cristina.org The National Christina Foundation accepts donated computers to give to people with disabilities.

www.wastecap.org Helps businesses identify outlets for used computer equipment.

www.electronicycle.com Located at 461 W. Broadway, Gardner, MA Phone: (978)-632-7666. Electronicycle, Inc. accepts TVs, computers, audio and almost any consumer electronics product for processing.

Construction & Demolition Debris
(Also see “Building Materials/House Fixtures” category above)

Take to:

C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580 (also accepts metal)
E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002.

OR call companies listed in Yellow Pages under "Rubbish & Garbage Removal," OR have contractor remove.

Only occasional, small amounts of construction debris will be collected at the curb.  The following are not collected at the curb, except as noted:

ASPHALT, GRAVEL, STONE - This is not collected at the curb.  Take to:  ABC Recycling, Rte. 110, Dracut, 978-475-8153

BRICK, CONCRETE - This is not collected at the curb. Take to:

ABC Recycling, 479 Broadway Rd., Dracut, 978-475-8153
E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002
J. R. Pacella Development Corp., 49 N. Main St., Westford, 978-692-3532
FIBERGLASS INSULATION - This is not collected at the curb. Have contractor remove, or take to: C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580 or E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002.

PLASTER, WALLBOARD - This is not collected at the curb. Have contractor remove, or take to: C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580 or E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002.

RAILROAD TIES - These are not collected at the curb. Take to: C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580

ROOFING & SIDING SHINGLES - These are not collected at the curb. Have contractor remove, or take to: C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580 or E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002 (no asbestos shingles).

WOOD FENCING, WOOD PIECES Take to C. J. Mabardy, Cambridge, 617-354-7580 or E. L. Harvey & Sons, Westborough, 800-321-3002.

CLEAN CONSTRUCTION WOOD (unpainted, untreated) to:
B. M. C. Corporation, 1079 South St., Tewksbury, 978-667-2171.  They also accept logs, stumps (large quantities), brush, grass (no charge), leaves and pallets.

Kaknes Wood Products & Landscape Supply, Inc., 218 New Boston St., Woburn, 781-933-3818.  They also accept brush, grass, leaves and pallets.

PAINTED OR TREATED WOOD: Dispose at curb: Cut into 4 foot lengths, tie securely into bundles no heavier than 50 pounds.

 EYEGLASSES

Collected eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and measured to determine the correction. Available glasses are cataloged in a computer database, and matched to people with need. Another option is to have your old glasses tinted to turn them into sunglasses.

The Lions Club accepts eyeglasses and provides drop off locations at the Tyngsborough Post Office, the American Legion Post 247 at 80 Pawtucket Blvd, or the Multi-Service Center at 180 Lakeview Ave. all are in Tyngsborough. 

Pearle Vision Center (in Tyngsboro 978-649-3880) and For Eyes (in Nashua 603-888-8700) also collect glasses chain-wide.
  
Mail old glasses to:  New Eyes for the Needy 549 Millburn, PO Box 332, Short Hills, NY 07078. Accepts scrap metal frames in any condition, unbroken plastic framed glasses, non-prescription sunglasses, any precious metal scrap like broken jewelry and monetary donations.

HOME FURNISHINGS

Take furniture, tabletop appliances & other household goods in good condition (not ripped or in need of cleaning or repair) to a charitable organization listed in Yellow Pages under: "Social & Human Services,” such as:
  • Evangelical Congregational Church Thrift Store, 25 Kendall Road, Tyngsboro, 978-251-9837
  • Lowell Wish Project, 1A Foundry Street , Lowell , MA (off Plain Street ), 978-441-9474
  • St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop: 701 Merrimack St., Lowell, 978-453-7750; furniture pick-up: 800-675-2882
  • Sylvia's Haven, Fort Devens, 978-772-0925. Household furnishings (including toys) for homeless women and children.
  • Mission of Deeds, furniture pick-up, 781-944-9797
  • Mass Coalition for the Homeless (will pick up) 617-737-3430
  • Salvation Army furniture pick-up: 781-231-0803.
  • The Household Goods Ministry at www.hgrm.org
  • You may also try Marty’s Bargin Center, 17 Parham Rd, 978-649-5662.

JUNK

At Your Dispos-ALL www.atyourdisposall.com of Wilimington, MA will remove all kinds of junk from homes, apartments, condominiums, construction sites, and barns - including yard debris. Call 1- 800-JUNK-IT-0 or book on-line (save $15). Service representatives provide exact, itemized pricing including labor, weight and dumping fees. Junk is removed and recycled or sent to a transfer station and/or donation facility.

METAL ITEMS, VEHICLE PARTS

Call Appliance Recyclers at 1-877-228-2898.

Vehicles (boat, car, trailer, truck) can be donated to the National Kidney Foundation, 800-488-2277 (some restrictions apply; may qualify for a tax-deduction)



There are several companies that will pay you for your scrap metals including gas grills, gutters, plumbing parts, swimming pools. You can find them under “Scrap Metals” in your yellow pages. One company is:

Granite State Salvage Company, Inc., 31 Dracut Road , Hudson , NH , (603)882-9325. They will take any metal item you have, including appliances (except refrigerators) and hot water tanks. If a magnet sticks to the item they will take for free; if a magnet doesn’t stick, they will pay you for the weight of the item.

MERCURY THERMOMETERS AND THERMOSTATS

You can bring your mercury thermometer or thermostat to the Board of Health office at the Tyngsborough town Hall. Thermostats will be properly disposed of as hazardous waste by the town.   

MOTOR OIL

Used motor oil contains heavy metals and other toxic substances and is considered hazardous waste.  Each year do-it-yourself oil changers improperly dump MORE oil than the tanker Exxon Valdez spilled into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. 

Motor oil must never be dumped in storm drains. Storm drains flow untreated waste into rivers, lakes or oceans.  Your quart of oil DOES make a difference – don’t dump it. 

Recycling used motor oil is easy.  According to Massachusetts State Law, any business that sells motor oil must take it back - with a receipt!  Or, save for Tyngsborough’s annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day (held usually in the spring).  Notification of the date will be announced in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on the Board of Health portion of tyngsboroughma.gov and on Channel 8. 

NEEDLE DISPOSAL (MEDICAL)

Medical needles are STRICTLY prohibited from regular waste disposal.  Used needles can be kept in a sealed coffee can or laundry bottle.  These can be brought to the annual Board of Health rabies clinic (typically held in the spring or the Flu Clinics in the fall. Watch Neighbor to Neighbor or Channel 8 for details.  For further information or questions please contact the Board of Health at 978-649-2300 x118.

PACKING MATERIALS
(Styrofoam, peanuts, bubble wrap)

The Postal Center in TJ Maxx Plaza, Tyngsboro will accept clean Styrofoam, bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts.  A Mail Boxes, Etc. store will also accept these items.
PAINT

Latex Paint Not considered hazardous waste.  Let dry out or use kitty litter to absorb liquid then put can in with metal recyclables.  You may also purchase a latex paint hardener at some local home improvement, paint or hardware stores or contact Boston Renovation at (978-988-1177) or visit their web site at www.restorationproducts.com.  Within 15 minutes of application, the paint turns into a cottage cheese-like substance and hardens entirely by the next day.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Oil-Based Paint Save for hazardous waste collection day. Notification of the date will be announced in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on Channel 8, and on the Board of Health portion of tyngsboroughma.gov.

PROPANE GAS GRILL/HELIUM TANKS

Bring to Tyngsborough’s yearly household hazardous waste collection day, and your tank will be recycled for a small fee. Notification of the date will be announced in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on the tyngsboroughma.gov web site and on Channel 8.   Or, check with the seller of your new tank to see if they will accept the tank for a small fee or trade-in. 

SMOKE DETECTORS

According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, certain smoke detectors do contain a radioactive sensing device, but the radioactivity is so low that it is considered harmless.  Remove the battery and dispose of the smoke detector in the trash. 

STYROFOAM PACKING MATERIALS
(Styrofoam, peanuts, bubble wrap)

The Postal Center in TJ Maxx Plaza, Tyngsboro will accept clean Styrofoam, bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts.  A Mail Boxes, Etc. store will also accept these items.
TELEVISIONS
Televisions are banned from trash collection and will not be picked up with household trash.  If your television is still in working order, you can donate it to Lowell Wish. For a small fee, save for hazardous waste collection day (Notification of the date will be announced in Neighbor-to-Neighbor, on the events page and on Channel 8) OR hire a contractor to pick up, for a fee paid directly to contractor: 
Appliance Recyclers 1 877-228-2898

TIRES

Appliance Recyclers 1 877-228-2898