East Hartford Encourages Spring Cleaning in Recognition of Earth Day
East Hartford, CT—Mayor Marcia Leclerc and the Town of East Hartford would like to encourage you to practice spring cleaning in recognition of Earth Day, celebrated worldwide on April 22 this year.
Around the world, the observance of Earth Day is marked with educational efforts encouraging each of us to take actions that protect our environment and conserve its natural resources. It also coincides with spring cleaning efforts.
Although this year the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our daily plans and activities, it also has allowed many residents, who are staying home, to focus on home cleaning and organizing.
“During these times, it’s critical to remain active, while maintaining safety guidelines,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc. “As residents continue to stay home, spring cleaning can serve as a beneficial and therapeutic activity.”
Please be advised that curbside waste pickup continues on a regular schedule. To support home maintenance and cleaning efforts, the Town of East Hartford continues to provide access to most of its waste disposal services with some changes. The Transfer Station remains open and continues to operate on a regular schedule. The regular Transfer Station hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 7:15 a.m. to Noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (holidays excluded), and the first and third Saturdays of the month from 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (holidays excluded). The Transfer Station is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Additionally, below is a full checklist of items, with steps you can take, to clean winter debris and spruce up your property.
Public Works: Supporting Residents in Keeping East Hartford Clean & Beautiful
Bulky Disposal | The Bulky Waste Permit process has changed to a remote application system. There is no longer an in-office registration. Residents have four options for applying for bulky permits: *Mail-in/Drop-Box/Email or Phone registration. Please use the East Hartford Public Works’ webpage https://www.easthartfordct.gov/bulky-waste-permit-application-and-information for the application and full instructions. Standard permit fees are $35.00 and $15.00 for senior residents who are 65 years of age and older. Extra Red Tickets are $30. Permits purchased in May are valid for the months of May and June. This is a good opportunity for residents to use their existing 2019-2020 tickets before they expire, June 2020. Permits for use in the new fiscal year (starting July 1, 2020 to June, 30 2021) may be purchased starting June 15, 2020 as described above. Additional information can be found on the Town website under Public Works, Waste Services. |
Blue Cart | Did you know that the Town pays $0 per ton for recycling while regular trash costs are reaching $81.35 per ton to be burned? Free blue carts are available for 1-6 family homes. If you are a star recycler, request a second free blue recycling cart by calling 860-291-7374. |
Brush Recycling | Did you know that you can deliver brush to the transfer station? Public Works saves taxpayer dollars by recycling all brush/ yard vegetation and leaves that are delivered by residents. A Bulky Waste Permit is required for disposal of brush/yard vegetation. Leaves are free. |
Car Batteries | Accepted for FREE with resident ID at the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive. |
Composting | Composting of leaves, vegetable and fruit waste can be done in your backyards. Visit the CT DEEP webpage for guidelines. |
Clothing & Textiles | The Town of East Hartford curbside vendor, Simple Recycling, has temporarily suspended curbside collections due to COVID-19. However, residents can deliver used clothing, footwear, household linens and bedding items, stuffed animals and accessories like hats, gloves, ties, pocketbooks to the Transfer Station for FREE! When you recycle textiles the Town earns revenue and avoids paying $81.35 per ton for disposal. |
Electronics | Deliver electronics – televisions, computers, monitors, VCR/DVD Players, cameras and keyboards to the Transfer Station for FREE! For a complete list of acceptable electronics visit Waste Services. |
Leaf Recycling | Residents can deliver leaves in brown paper bags or loose only (no plastic bags) to the Transfer Station for FREE! Grass clippings are accepted only in brown paper bags. Grass clippings may also be mulched or composted on your property. |
Household | For proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste, please note there has been a change in schedule. A delay, due to COVID-19, means collection events begin in August. East Hartford residents can participate in any of the 10 drop-off locations offered by the MDC, August through November, 8 am – 1 pm for FREE with an ID proving East Hartford residency. See the list below for August and September events. Find the entire 2020 schedule on the MDC website. The checklist of all the acceptable hazardous waste you can deliver is also available. Please mark your calendars since East Hartford will be hosting a hazardous collection event on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive! August 15, 2020 Newington Town Garage, 281 Milk Lane (off Fenn Road) August 22, 2020 Wethersfield High School, 411 Wolcott Hill Road August 29, 2020 Windsor Poquonock WPCF, 1222 Poquonock Avenue September 19, 2020 Bloomfield Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive September 26,2020 West Hartford Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street |
Mattress Recycling | FREE if self-delivered to the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive. For curbside collection, a Bulky Waste Permit is required. |
Medications | COVID-19 Town Offices closures mean that FREE disposal of over-the-counter, prescription, pet medications and medicated lotions and ointments at East Hartford Police Department are not possible now. You may wrap these securely in garbage bags and place them in the trash in your refuse cart for incineration. Please do not flush down toilets or dispose of down catch basins. |
Metals | Deliver for disposal at the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive or for curbside collection, a Bulky Waste Permit is required. Includes appliances, refrigerators with doors removed, bicycles and gas grills without propane tank. Propane tanks may be delivered to the commercial establishment from which you purchase a new one. A complete list of acceptable metal can be found on the Town website’s Waste Services webpage. |
Paint Recycling | PaintCare is a non-profit organization that has established a FREE and year-round paint recycling collection program at the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive. Latex and oil based paints, deck coatings, primers, sealers, stains, shellacs, lacquers, metal coatings, rust preventatives and filed/lawn paints are all acceptable. Visit PaintCare website for more information. |
Plastic Film | The recycling of plastic at commercial establishments is ON HOLD due to COVID-19. In the meantime, please place plastic film bags in the regular refuse cart. |
Used Oil & | Accepted FREE at the Transfer Station, 61 Ecology Drive, in clear plastic containers only. Please do not use catch basins for disposal. |
To Recap:
Items you can bring to the Transfer Station without a Bulky Waste Permit:
- Clothing and Textiles
- Electronics
- Leaves (loose or in paper bags, not plastic)
- Paint
- Used Oil & Anti-freeze
- Car Batteries
- Mattresses
Items you can bring to the Transfer Station with a Bulky Waste Permit:
- Brush and Tree Limbs
- Metals (including appliances, refrigerators with doors removed, bicycles, etc.)
Items that can be recycled or disposed elsewhere:
- Compost – in your own backyard!
- Hazardous Household Waste – via MDC (check site for locations).
- Propane Tanks – Commercial establishments where purchased.