Where and How to Dispose of This and That?

The following information can help you figure out what to do with this or that when it comes to managing different wastes that may be generated in your home or business specific to the Town of Stratham. Click the links of each item for more information from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

• Aerosol Cans: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, Flares: Contact the Stratham Police or Fire Department.
• Appliances: Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee. 
  • There is a additional charge for refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and AC units as they contain refrigerants and, by law, must be drained by a certified technician before being recycled as scrap metal.
• Asbestos: Contact NHDES at (603) 271-3503.
• Automotive Antifreeze: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Batteries: Each type of battery requires a different disposal method.
  • Alkaline: If purchased prior to 1996, please save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. If purchased after 1996, tape both ends of the battery and dispose of in your regular trash. 
  • Button Cell: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
  • Electric/Hybrid Car and E-Bike Batteries: Speak with an automotive professional at a licensed repair shop or salvage yard about proper recycling.
  • Wet-cell and Lead-acid (Car Batteries): Most repair shops let you return old car batteries when you return new ones. You can also check with a local scrap metal yard. 
  • Non-rechargeable Lithium: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day or bring to Batteries Plus in Newington, NH.
  • Rechargeable and Lithium-ion: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day or bring to Batteries Plus in Newington, NH.
• Biosolids: Contact NHDES at (603) 271-3503.
• Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) (found in older TVs and computers): Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D): Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Electronics: Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Lamps: Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Food: We accept some food scraps in the compost pile at the Transfer Station. 
  • No meat, bones, dairy, mayo, dressing, or animal waste allowed. 
• Furniture, Mattresses, Carpet (Bulky Waste): Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Household Ash: Ashes that are completely cooled (a few days after burning), can be added to your regular trash. 
• Invasive Plants (Aquatic and Upland): In New Hampshire, invasive plants are considered solid waste, NOT leaf and yard waste. Put them in a closed trash bag and dispose in with your regular trash.
• Leaf and Yard Waste: Accepted in the compost pile at the Transfer Station. They need to be loose and NOT bagged. 
• Medicine: Visit the police department or a local pharmacy to safely dispose of unused or expired medication. 
• Mercury-Containing Devices: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Motor Vehicle Recycling: There are several motor vehicle salvage yards across the state. 
• Paint: Please see the following depending on which type of paint you have. 
  • Water-based (labeled acrylic, latex, or water-based): Once completely dry, include with your household trash. You can use and drying agent like cat litter or sawdust if there's more than a little bit left in the can. 
  • Oil-based, lead-based, or solvent-based paint, stains, and varnishes: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Pesticides: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Plastic Bags and Film: Most supermarkets will take these for recycling but they do not belong in your regular recycling bin. If not turned in, these bags should go in your regular trash. 
• Propane Tanks: Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
• Scrap Metal: Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee. No gas tanks, batteries, or oil filters allowed - please remove from any metal prior to bringing to the Transfer Station.
• Sharps and Infectious Waste: Must be disposed of using the 'Best practices:' outlined on the link by NHDES. 
• Smoke Detectors: Not accepted at the Transfer Station or for Hazardous Waste but most manufacturers offer Take Back programs. Please clink the link for more information. 
• Textiles and Clothing: Not accepted at the Transfer Station. Please donate or recycle used clothing, shoes, jackets, sheets, towels, belts, accessories, luggage and stuffed animals.
• Tires: Not accepted at the Transfer Station. You might be able to contact a local automotive garage to bring them to. 
• Used Oil: Save for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.