How to Dispose of This or That:
Below you'll find a list of waste items and where they can be disposed of as a Stratham resident. If you have any questions on any materials, you can contact the New Hampshire Department of Household Waste at (603) 271-2047.
You can get more information about managing your waste here.
You can get more information about managing your waste here.
Aerosol Cans
Products are dispensed from aerosol cans with a propellant. The propellant, which helps spray the product out of the can, is often considered hazardous waste and may include hydrocarbons, such as butane or liquified propane gas. The product itself may also be hazardous if it is ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic.
Products that come in aerosol cans include:
- Hairspray
- Bug spray
- Shaving cream
- Spray whipped cream and cheese cans
- Paint
- Sunscreen
- Pesticides
- Cleaning products
- Lubricants
Save for the Household Hazardous Waste Day usually held in the fall at the Exeter DPW.
Empty aerosol cans (all product and propellant dispensed) are not considered a hazardous waste and can be recycled as scrap metal or disposed of in the regular trash. Only use a product for its intended purpose; do not vent cans to empty them.
Aluminum
Must be empty, clean, and dry. Can be added to your recycling bin.
Detached soda tabs should go in the trash or be recycled through "pop tab" collection programs such as:
The Bektash Shriners Center in Concord.
Detached soda tabs should go in the trash or be recycled through "pop tab" collection programs such as:
The Bektash Shriners Center in Concord.
Must be empty, clean, and dry. Can be added to your recycling bin.
Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, Flares
Contact the Stratham Police Department at (603) 778-9691.
Contact the Stratham Fire Department at (603) 772-9756
Appliances
Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee depending on size and type.
Asphalt, Brick, Concrete
“Clean” ABC (Asphalt, Brick, Concrete) means:
NO lead paint, NO asbestos, NO chemicals.
Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee depending on size and type.
NO lead paint, NO asbestos, NO chemicals.
Accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee depending on size and type.
If it ABC contains any lead paint, asbestos, chemicals, or other hazardous materials, please contact NHDES at (603) 271-2925.
Automotive Antifreeze
Save for the Household Hazardous Waste Day usually held in the fall at the Exeter DPW.
Antifreeze is used as an engine coolant and commonly consists of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Antifreeze breaks down over time and forms acids, which corrode the vehicle’s cooling system. During its use, antifreeze may become contaminated with traces of fuel, metal particles and grit. Used automotive antifreeze often contains benzene, lead and other toxic ingredients.
Antifreeze is used as an engine coolant and commonly consists of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Antifreeze breaks down over time and forms acids, which corrode the vehicle’s cooling system. During its use, antifreeze may become contaminated with traces of fuel, metal particles and grit. Used automotive antifreeze often contains benzene, lead and other toxic ingredients.
Batteries
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. Pre-1996 alkaline batteries must be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall.
Button batteries are small, disc-shaped batteries commonly used in hearing aids, medical devices, watches, calculators and cameras. Button cells may contain mercury, lithium, silver, nickel and other hazardous substances. Do not throw them in the trash! Tape them up and save for the Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall.
Wet-cell batteries are banned from disposal because they contain sulfuric acid and lead. These batteries are used in cars, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and other small engine equipment with an electric starter. The most common wet-cell battery is a lead-acid battery found in automotive vehicles.
Residents can return old car batteries to the same company when purchasing a new one, or recycle them at a scrap metal yard, auto repair shop, or save them for Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall.
Residents can return old car batteries to the same company when purchasing a new one, or recycle them at a scrap metal yard, auto repair shop, or save them for Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall.
Electric/hybrid car batteries do not belong at your local transfer station. Speak with an automotive professional at a licensed repair shop or salvage yard about proper recycling.
Some e-bike manufacturers offer recycling services through select Call2Recycle drop-off locations.
Some e-bike manufacturers offer recycling services through select Call2Recycle drop-off locations.
Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are hazardous waste and should never be thrown in the trash. Lithium batteries, when exposed to water or damaged in any way, are highly reactive and can ignite causing intense fires. They do not all look the same, but they are generally labelled as “lithium” or “Li.” Please go to https://batterynetwork.org/ for a disposal location or save for the Household Hazardous Waste Day in the fall.
Rechargeable batteries such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, contain hazardous metals and can not be put in the trash.
Li-ion batteries are banned from disposal in New Hampshire and can not be accepted at the Transfer Station! Li-ion batteries can be found in just about every device on the market today from toys to electronic devices to vehicles. When crushed or damaged in any way, they can ignite - causing intense fires.
Many local retailers (BatteriesPlus, Best Buy, Staples) offer collection boxes for recycling rechargeable batteries.
Remember – if it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable!
Li-ion batteries are banned from disposal in New Hampshire and can not be accepted at the Transfer Station! Li-ion batteries can be found in just about every device on the market today from toys to electronic devices to vehicles. When crushed or damaged in any way, they can ignite - causing intense fires.
Many local retailers (BatteriesPlus, Best Buy, Staples) offer collection boxes for recycling rechargeable batteries.
Remember – if it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable!
Use this guide to identify common battery types and how to prevent sparks before you recycle.
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) are glass tubes containing lead that are found in older TVs and computers. You can bring them to the Stratham Transfer Station to be recycled for a fee.
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
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
E-Cigarettes and Vape Devices
Nicotine vapes and e-cigarettes pose a significant and difficult-to-solve disposal problem because they have two components that pose different hazards and disposal challenges:
- 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.
- 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.
Electronics
Non-rechargeable electronics, meaning items that usually need to be plugged in or connected in order to work, can be brought to the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
These items include:
These items include:
- 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).
Many electronics have batteries such as wireless headphones, wireless keyboards, and other similar devices. To be recycled, the battery must be completely removed prior to bringing it to the Stratham Transfer Station. Batteries can be disposed of depending on the type. Please see the battery section above for more information.
Fire Extinguishers
Rechargeable fire extinguishers can be refilled and reused multiple times depending on the type, age and condition, regardless of how much of the contents have been used - as long as it's still up to current standards.
Disposable fire extinguishers are designed for a one-time use and need to be replaced, even after being discharged once. When used, a disposable fire extinguisher will gradually lose pressure and will not be fully charged if another emergency occurs.
We can only accept fire extinguishers at the Stratham Transfer Station if the extinguisher has been completely discharged of its contents has a hole punched into it or the valve completely removed so that it is no longer under pressure.
If unable to empty the extinguisher or if it still has contents in it you have the following options:
We can only accept fire extinguishers at the Stratham Transfer Station if the extinguisher has been completely discharged of its contents has a hole punched into it or the valve completely removed so that it is no longer under pressure.
If unable to empty the extinguisher or if it still has contents in it you have the following options:
- 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:
Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Lamps
These are accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee.
LED and incandescent light bulbs do not contain mercury and can be put in your household trash.
LED and incandescent light bulbs do not contain mercury and can be put in your household trash.
Furniture, Mattresses, Carpet (Bulky Waste)
The following bulky waste items are accepted at the Stratham Transfer Station and include a fee for disposal depending on the item:
- 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
Heating Oil Tanks
Home heating oil is commonly stored in tanks, also known as aboveground storage tanks (ASTs).
We can accept these tanks at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee only if the following has been done:
We can accept these tanks at the Stratham Transfer Station for a fee only if the following has been done:
- 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.
- 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.
- Determine that the tank is vapor free before continuing.
- 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.
- The tank can then be brought to the Stratham Transfer Station.
Invasive Plants
For a list of invasive species, click here.
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.
For a list of invasive species, click here.