The Development Authority of the North Country announced Wednesday that it's once again partnering with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and regional partners to host household hazardous waste days throughout 2026 at no cost.

For more than fifteen years, these household hazardous waste recycling days have provided an opportunity to safely dispose of items that can’t be thrown away in regular trash, such as paints, chemicals, pesticides, and other hazardous products.   In 2025 alone, 134 tons of household hazardous waste were collected across locations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.  This year, area residents are again encouraged to bring hazardous materials for disposal to any of the upcoming free events.  The details for the events are as follows:

St. Lawrence County/SUNY Canton- 34 Cornell Drive, Canton, NY on May 16th from 8am-1pm

Jefferson County- 21897 County Route 190, Watertown, NY on June 6th from 8am-12pm 

Lewis County- 5481 Bostwick Street, Lowville, NY on August 29th from 8am-12pm

St. Lawrence County- 85 Robinson Road, Massena, NY on September 26th from 8am-1pm

Jefferson County- 21897 County Route 190, Watertown, NY on October 10th from 8am-12pm

“We all know someone that has old pool chemicals, half empty aerosol cans or even florescent light tubes tucked away in their basement or garage, just waiting for the opportunity to responsibly dispose of them.  The longer they lie around, the greater hazard these materials can pose to our family and friends,” said Shawn Thornton, Materials Management Director for the Development Authority of the North Country.  “The Authority is proud to once again sponsor these free, Hazardous Household Waste recycling days with our regional partners.  It takes just a few minutes to load your vehicle and dispose of these materials, which is a simple and easy way to do our part to safeguard the environment.”

To pre-register for any of the events and to view the complete list of items that will be accepted for disposal, residents are encouraged to visit https://www.northcountryrecycles.org/HHWRegistration or by calling 315-661-3233.