ROCHESTER — About 30 to 40 cars lined up at the Rochester Highway Department on 200 Ryder Lane by 9 a.m. to dispose of materials at the Town’s hazardous waste collection day on Saturday, July 27.

“You don’t want this stuff to end up in the environment somehow,” said Mattapoisett Board of Health Senior Agent Dale Barrows as Rochester and Mattapoisett residents dropped off fuels, paints, aerosol cans, motor oil, and other waste one car load at a time.

Barrows said that collection days are typically held every three to four years and offer residents a way to dispose of hazardous materials in a responsible manner. 

The Town of Rochester has a contract with ABC Disposal Service to hold hazardous waste collection days as needed. Mattapoisett is also served by ABC, and although the town does not have a similar contract with the company, Mattapoisett residents were allowed to take advantage of Rochester’s collection day.

Barrows and fellow Mattapoisett Board of Health agent Kathryn Tapper directed vehicles into the Ryder Lane facility, and checked for I.D. and proof of residency, while employees of Clean Harbors sorted through the different types of waste inside.

The collection continued until noon, and by the end of the event, 175 vehicles stopped by to dispose of hazardous waste. Barrows and Tapper did not report any incidents or issues during the collection day.

The collection day was open to residential, but not commercial, school, or industrial waste. Unacceptable items included explosives, ammunition, biological waste, and asbestos.