Hazardous Waste Collection

Township residents will have the opportunity to get rid of household hazardous waste at no charge. Note: commercial and industrial entities are excluded from this program.

Materials will only be accepted if in original container with label. A maximum of 25 gallons and/or 220 pounds of materials per household will be permitted. Costs for this collection will be paid for by the Township, the state, and Lanchester and SECCRA Landfills. Questions may be answered by the Chester County Solid Waste Authority by calling 610-273-3771.

Collections are only for residents of Chester County; no businesses. Proof of residency may be required at the drop off. A maximum of 3 items per vehicle will be accepted. All Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events begin at 9 am and end promptly at 3 pm.

Words Identifying Hazardous Materials

  • Caution
  • Combustible
  • Corrosive
  • Danger
  • Explosive
  • Flammable
  • Hazardous
  • Poisonous
  • Reactive
  • Toxic
  • Warning

Accepted Materials

Automotive

  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries:
    • Car (lead-acid)
    • Marine
    • Motorcycle
    • Truck
  • Carburetor cleaners
  • Fuel additives
  • Gasoline / Gas and oil mixtures
  • Grease / Rust solvents
  • Transmission / Brake fluid

Household

  • Drain openers
  • Dry cleaning fluid
  • Kerosene
  • Mothballs / Flakes
  • Rechargeable batteries: lithium, NiCad, button
  • Rug / Wood / Metal cleaners
  • Spot remover
  • Toilet bowl cleaners

Outdoor

  • Asphalt sealers
  • Caulking compounds
  • Joint compound
  • Pool chemicals
  • Rodent poison
  • Roof cements
  • Septic tank degreasers
  • Weed killers

Paint Products

  • Adhesives
  • Oil-based paints
  • Paint thinners
  • Stains
  • Strippers / Removers
  • Turpentine
  • Varnish / Shellac
  • Wallpaper cement
  • Other solvent-based paint products

Other

  • Acids / Caustics / Solvents
  • Flammables / Oxidizers
  • Lead / Mercury
  • Organic peroxide
  • Pesticides / Poisons
  • Propane Cylinders (under 20 pounds)
  • Reactive metals

Materials Not Accepted

  • Alkaline batteries
  • Appliances
  • Asbestos
  • Explosives / Ammunitions
  • Freon
  • Gas cylinders
  • Infectious / Medical waste
  • Latex paint (water-based)
    • View the Latex Paint Disposal section of this page for more information
  • PCBs
  • Pressurized CFAs and HCFs
  • Radioactive waste
  • Tires
    • Call 610-273-3771 for the recycling location for automotive related materials
  • Unidentified waste
  • Used motor oil
  • White goods

Latex Paint Disposal

Latex (water based) paint needs to be dried out before being put in the trash. Take off lid and place in the sun and periodically stir until all that is left is a thick material, then place open can with regular trash. Or put paint into plastic bag with absorbent material. (e.g., kitty litter) and place bag and open can in regular trash.

Household Electronic Waste

Chester County will not accept household electronic waste at the Household Hazardous Waste collections. Chester County will accept electronic waste at the Lanchester Landfill free of charge, with some specifications:

  • A maximum of 3 electronic items will be accepted per vehicle
    • A complete computer system is considered 1 item
  • All items must be intact, and no disassembled items will be accepted
  • Residents must be able to unload their own items