STRATHAM WASTE GUIDE
How to Dispose of This or That

It depends on what remains inside. Aerosol cans contain a product and a pressurized propellant that helps spray the product out. The propellant may be flammable, and the product itself may contain hazardous ingredients.

Common aerosol products include:

• Hairspray and shaving cream

• Bug spray and pesticides

• Spray whipped cream and cheese

• Spray paint

• Spray sunscreen

• Cleaning products

• Lubricants

Completely empty aerosol cans that has all product and propellant used up through normal use, are generally not considered hazardous waste. Check with the transfer station attendant before placing them in scrap metal recycling.

Use aerosol products only for their intended purpose. Do not deliberately spray out unwanted contents just to empty a can, and do not puncture, crush, or burn aerosol cans.

Place empty, clean, and dry aluminum beverage cans in your recycling bin.

Detached soda tabs should go in the trash or be donated through a pop-tab collection program, such as the Bektash Shriners’ Pull-Tab Collection Program at 189 Pembroke Road in Concord.

Place empty, clean, and dry aluminum foil, disposable aluminum trays, and aluminum pie plates in your recycling bin. Remove all food residue and crumple clean aluminum foil into a ball before recycling.

Call first. Do not bring these materials to the department without prior instructions. Do not place them in trash or recycling or bring them to the Transfer Station.

If you find a suspected explosive device, do not touch or move it. Move away and call 911.

Call first. Do not bring these materials to the department without prior instructions. Do not place them in trash or recycling or bring them to the Transfer Station.

If you find a suspected explosive device, do not touch or move it. Move away and call 911.

Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for the following fees per item:

• $20: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and other appliances containing refrigerant (Freon). Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed before drop-off.

• $15: Washing machines, dryers, stoves, ovens, and other large appliances.

• $5: Microwaves, blenders, small grills, and other small appliances.

See the Transfer Station Fee Schedule for additional details.

Not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station.

Contact the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) at (603) 271-1373 or asbestos@des.nh.gov for guidance on proper handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

Review the NHDES Asbestos Management guidance before disturbing or transporting suspected asbestos-containing materials.

“Clean” asphalt, brick, and concrete contain no lead paint, asbestos, chemicals, or other hazardous materials.

Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station as heavy construction debris at $175 per cubic yard. The attendant will determine the applicable charge based on the load. See the Transfer Station Fee Schedule for details.

Asphalt, brick, or concrete containing lead paint, asbestos, chemicals, or other hazardous materials are not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station.

Contact NHDES at (603) 271-2925 for disposal guidance. For materials containing asbestos, contact (603) 271-1373 or asbestos@des.nh.gov.

Not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station. Save unwanted or used automotive antifreeze for the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, typically held in the fall at Exeter Public Works.

Check the Town’s Hazardous Waste page for event details and registration requirements.

Antifreeze may contain toxic substances and can become contaminated during use. Keep it in a clearly labeled, tightly closed container. Do not mix it with motor oil, gasoline, or other fluids. Never pour antifreeze onto the ground or into drains, septic systems, or waterways.

Used batteries can still hold enough charge to cause a fire. Keep loose batteries from touching each other or other metal objects.

Before storing or transporting intact batteries for recycling, individually bag them or cover the terminals with nonconductive tape, such as clear packing or electrical tape. Keep identifying labels visible.

Do not place batteries directly in your household trash or recycling bin. Follow the disposal instructions below for each type.

Alkaline are the standard non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C and D cells, and 9-volt batteries. Alkaline batteries can be put in your household trash. Individually bag or tape battery ends using non-conducting tape (electrical, packaging, or duct tape). 

All batteries, even used batteries, have the potential to carry a charge. If the terminals touch each other or other metal, it could cause a spark, emit smoke and potentially start a fire. There has been an uptick of fires at solid waste facilities and in hauling trucks that are largely due to improper disposal of batteries, especially lithium and lithium-ion batteries.

Pre-1996 alkaline batteries may contain mercury. Mercury is banned from being landfilled or incinerated in New Hampshire. 

These small, round batteries are commonly found in hearing aids, watches, key fobs, medical devices, and calculators. Their contents vary and may include lithium or hazardous metals.

Do not place button or coin batteries in trash or household recycling. Individually bag them or cover both faces with nonconductive tape. Keep them out of reach of children.

Use The Battery Network’s drop-off locator to find a participating collection location, or check the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste event guidance for acceptance.

Lead-acid batteries are commonly used in cars, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and lawn equipment. They contain lead and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station. Do not place them in trash or household recycling.

Return old batteries to a battery retailer or contact an auto repair shop or scrap metal recycler that accepts them. Call ahead to confirm acceptance and any fees. They may also be brought to the regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day when listed as an accepted item.

Not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station.

For electric or hybrid vehicle batteries, contact the vehicle manufacturer, dealership, or a qualified automotive repair facility for recycling arrangements. Do not attempt to remove a high-voltage battery yourself.

For e-bike batteries, contact the manufacturer or a participating bicycle retailer. The Battery Network’s E-Bike Program accepts batteries from participating brands through designated collection sites. Confirm eligibility and acceptance before visiting.

Single-use lithium batteries may resemble ordinary alkaline batteries or come in specialized shapes. Look for “lithium” or “Li” on the label.

Do not place them in trash or household recycling, or bring them to the Stratham Transfer Station. Damaged lithium batteries or exposed terminals can cause fires.

Individually bag intact batteries or tape their terminals. Use The Battery Network’s drop-off locator and confirm that the location accepts single-use lithium batteries. Alternatively, check the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste event guidance for acceptance.

Rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and small sealed lead-acid batteries.

Do not place rechargeable batteries in trash or household recycling. They are not accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station. New Hampshire prohibits disposal of lithium-ion batteries in landfills and incinerators.

Use The Battery Network’s drop-off locator to find a participating retailer or battery recycler. Confirm accepted battery types, size limits, condition requirements, and any fees before visiting.

If a battery is built into a device and is not designed for removal by the user, do not force it out. Contact the manufacturer or an electronics recycler that accepts devices containing batteries.

These batteries require special handling. Do not place them in a regular battery collection box. Contact the manufacturer or collection program for instructions before handling or transporting them.

If a battery is smoking or burning, move away and call 911.

Use this Battery Identification and Safety Guide to identify common battery types and prepare intact batteries for recycling.

For collection event details, visit the Town’s Hazardous Waste page.

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain leaded glass and are found in older, bulky televisions and computer monitors.

Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for recycling for a fee based on screen size. See the Transfer Station Fee Schedule for current rates.

Keep these items intact. Do not break the glass or place them in household trash or recycling.

Construction and demolition debris refers to waste generated from the construction, remodeling, repair or demolition of structures and roads. C&D includes:

• Asphalt, brick, concrete and other masonry materials
• Gypsum wallboard
• Wood waste (treated/untreated)
• Tiles/flooring material
• Non-asbestos insulation
• Siding
• Plaster
• Roofing shingles
• Plumbing, electrical wiring and non-hazardous electrical fixtures

1. Vapes have a rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery which poses a fire risk if mismanaged or damaged. As of July 1, 2025, Li-ion batteries are banned from disposal in New Hampshire’s solid waste landfills and incinerators. Residents and businesses must comply with RSA 149-M:27.
2. Vapes contain residual nicotine which, when disposed of, is an acute hazardous waste (P075) under federal and state law. Nicotine poses both health and environmental hazards.

Vapes can look like a cigarette, flash drive, highlighter, smartwatch, asthma inhaler or other types of products. Some vapes are designed as one, sealed unit and others are able to be taken apart so each component can be managed properly.

• Do not crush or disassemble a vaping device that is not designed to be taken apart!
• Do not put vapes in the trash or recycling!
• Do not put vapes in water!

Household disposal options for e-cigarette/vape components:

Battery

Some vapes are rechargeable and refillable for long-term use; others are marketed as "disposable" single use. Rechargeable, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are banned from New Hampshire's landfills and incinerators. NEVER put Li-ion batteries in the trash or with your recyclables.

If the battery can be removed from the vape cartridge, tape the ends with non-conducting tape (electrical, packaging, or duct tape) and bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Day or a battery recycler for safe disposal.

Cartridge containers/vials; “Pods"

Cartridges hold vape juice that may contain nicotine. Nicotine is an acute hazardous waste! After removing the battery, safely dispose of vape cartridges at the Household Hazardous Waste Day if they still contain nicotine liquid.

• Never dump nicotine down the drain.
• Empty cartridges or “pods” not connected to a battery may be put in the household trash.

Heating coils 

If applicable, metal and ceramic heating coils can be put in the trash.

• Computers, monitors, laptops.
• Computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, external hard drives, speakers).
• Printers, copiers, fax machines.
• Video display devices (TVs, projectors, devices with a cathode ray tube).
• Video recording and playback devices (VCRs, DVD players, digital video recorders).

• Check with the business where you bought the fire extinguisher. They may offer disposal services for their customers.
• Contact the manufacturer noted on the label and ask if they have a takeback program for used or expired fire extinguishers.
• Fire suppression companies offer varying disposal options based on the type, condition and quantity of extinguishers. Some also offer pick-up services. Call beforehand:
  • Fire Protection Testing Team
  • Hampshire Fire Protection Co., LLC
  • Impact Fire Services

• Mattresses
• Box Springs
• Sleeper Sofas, Sectionals, 3 and 2-person Sofas
• Medium Furniture (arm chairs, dining tables, desks, dressers, bookcases, and similar size pieces)
• Small Furniture (side tables, dining chairs, and similar small pieces)
• All Carpeting and Rugs

1. Empty all liquid contents and sludge into a container that can be sealed and labeled. Bring to the Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall. 
2. Test the tank for harmful vapors. The contractor, plumber or heating oil company replacing your tank should have a photoionization detector (PID) to check for vapors. 
3. Determine that the tank is vapor free before continuing.
4. Clean/wipe out the tank. The professional hired to replace your tank may cut the tank open to assist with cleaning it out. Homeowners should not cut the tank themselves without proper training. Any used household rags can go in the trash.
5. The tank can then be brought to the Stratham Transfer Station.

Invasive plants are considered solid waste, not leaf and yard waste.

Management options:

• Trash – put invasive plants in a closed trash bag before disposing.
• Commercial composting – with restrictions. First, check with the business to get permission.

Leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings are accepted at no charge in the compost pile at the Stratham Transfer Station. Sticks and branches greater than ½ inch but less than 6 inches in diameter may be placed in the brush pile for a fee.

New Hampshire prohibits disposal of leaf and yard waste in landfills and incinerators. Dumping these materials in wetlands without a permit is also prohibited.

Keep leaves and yard waste out of streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, storm drains, and drainage channels. As these materials decompose, they can reduce oxygen levels in the water and harm aquatic life.

Put your leaves to work! Compost them or use them as mulch on your own property, away from wetlands and waterways.