Town of Columbia

Transfer Station Guidelines for Disposal and Recycling

 

 

 

 

 

Household Trash must be securely bagged to avoid windblown debris.

 

RECYCLING IS MANDATORY in the State of Connecticut since 1991.  Your privilege to use the facility is contingent upon recycling of all of the following items, which must be separated from household trash.  Please sort and prepare recyclables at home in order to save time and facilitate flow through the transfer station facility.  Please use the following guidelines:

ITEM

YES

NO

HOW?

PAPER GOODS

Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, computer mail, brown bags, school papers, envelopes, colored paper, computer paper, paperback books, phone books/catalogs

Plastic in envelopes, plastic coated paper and cards, cellophane, inside packaging of cereal boxes, napkins, tissues, text books, fax paper, wax paper, sanitary napkins, plastic bags, gift wrap papers, food contaminated paper, pizza boxes with food contamination, paperboard type boxes, thin box type paper board, hard cover books

·     Bundle in brown paper bags, tie with string, or loose

·     Do not deposit bundles in plastic bags

·     Remove any plastics from boxes and envelopes

·     All “yes” items can be commingled together

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD & PAPER BOARD BOXES

Corrugated cardboard boxes (the type with honeycomb between two layers), board used for packaging & gifts, cereal, pasta, tissue type boxes, thin box type paper board, egg cartons

Waxed or plastic coated cardboard, food contaminated boxes

·     Flatten corrugated cardboard boxes

·     Flatten paper board boxes

·     Keep separate from paper goods

·     All “yes” items can be commingled together

COMMINGLED GLASS & METAL FOOD CONTAINERS, #1 & #2 PLASTICS

Green, brown and clear glass bottles, beverage and food containers.  Metal and aluminum food and beverage cans, aluminum foil including trays, pots and pans.  Food and personal hygiene aerosol containers.  Plastic milk, juice, soda, water, detergent and all other plastic containers marked #1 or #2 in a triangle on the bottom.

Paint cans, coat hangers, pesticide, paint or petroleum-product aerosol cans, ceramics, china cups, plates or bowls, pots or pans, window or mirror glass, dishware such as Pyrex, light bulbs, Styrofoam containers, plastic ware utensils and dishes, plastic bags, toys, packaging, flower pots or anything marked #3,4,5,6 or 7.  Antifreeze, automotive and hazardous chemicals containers even if marked #1 or #2.

·     Rinse containers to remove all food or other residue

·     Glass, metal and plastics deposited in same bin

·     Check bottom of containers for triangle containing #1 or #2

LEAVES AND GRASS CLIPPINGS

All raked, mowed and vacuumed leaves and grass clippings, wood chips and other mulched items

Brush, stalky matter, branches, plastic bags, tree stumps

·     Deposit at designated area

·     Empty all containers and bags

brush

Under 4” in diameter accepted

Brush from construction lot clearing is not accepted

·     Please secure properly for transport

TREES

Any part of a tree or shrub greater than 4” in diameter

 

·     Remove branches, no brush

·     4” lengths or less

·     Stumps free of excess dirt and stone

ASHES

Wood fire ashes

 

·     Deposit at designated area

SCRAP METAL

Steel, aluminum, tin, iron appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators), lawn mowers, metal chairs and furniture

Metals mixed with plastics and/or wood.  Contaminated containers such as oil tanks, gas tanks.  Rider lawn mowers (can be brought to Willimantic Waste on Route 66).

·     Remove all non-metal materials from metal items

·     Fuel and oil must be removed from engines

·     Deposit in designated areas

PROPANE TANKS

Outdated 20-lb. propane gas grill tanks

 

·     Deposit at designated area

BATTERIES

All wet-cell batteries used in cars, motorcycles, and boats

Dry cell batteries, such as AAA, AA, C, D, 6 & 9 volt

·     Deposit at designated area

WASTE OIL & USED OIL FILTERS

All waste motor oils & used oil filters

Cannot be mixed with any substance or contain any contaminant

·     Waste oil in sealed plastic containers can be placed near waste oil tank area

·     Deposit filters in appropriate drums

ANTIFREEZE

All used antifreeze solutions

Contaminated antifreeze mixed with oil, gas, or other chemicals.  Gasoline, brake fluid, degreasers, solvents, paint thinners, transformer oil

·     Deposit in designated container

TIRES

All passenger car, small and large truck tires and rims

Bicycle, lawn mower, tractor-type tires

·     Must be clean & dry

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO RECYCLE OR WHERE TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF ANY ITEM(S), PLEASE ASK THE ATTENDANT FOR ASSISTANCE. 

 

ADDITIONAL RULES, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES:

 

·    ACCESS: Transfer station use is limited to Columbia residents only and access is not permitted without a permit sticker.  Stickers are available at  the Town Hall  with proof of residency.  Stickers must be visibly mounted on vehicle windshield just above the emission sticker and must be removed prior to transfer or sale of vehicle.  For further information,  click here.

·    FEES: Please refer to fee schedule for items subject to fees.  All fees are due upon disposal and are paid to the attendant.

·    HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE: Hazardous waste is not accepted at Columbia Transfer Station.  The MidNEROC hazardous waste facility in Willington accepts waste from Columbia residents.  The facility is open the first and third Saturdays of the month from mid-April through November.  Brochures are available from the attendant.

·    STOP!: All vehicles entering the transfer station are required to stop at the stop sign posted next to the attendant station for safety and clearance purposes.

·    SAFETY: Please drive carefully and observe the 10 MPH speed limit.  If you spill, break or drop something, please clean it up or request assistance if necessary.  Please conserve space when parking and close side doors while unloading to allow for maximum usage.  Socializing should be limited, especially during busy times.

·    NO BARE FEET

·    CHILDREN & PETS: Children under 12 years old and pets must remain inside vehicles.

·    SCAVENGING: Prohibited!!  Never climb into a transport container.  The attendant can assist with lost items if necessary.

·    SWAP SHOP: Please use the swap alternative to disposal.  Columbia tax dollars pay for hauling and disposal of all incoming waste; therefore any item swapped saves you money.  Swap shop items should be clean, usable or fixable.

·    COLLECTION BOXES: Boxes are currently available for collection of used clothing and returnable bottles and cans.

·    VIOLATIONS: Violation of any rule may result in warning, suspension or revocation of permit, or fine.

·    HOURS OF OPERATION: The Columbia Transfer Station is open Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Entrance to the transfer station is not permitted at other times and without an attendant present.                                  

 

 

For helpful tips on reducing waste: click here

 

For further information about recycling, please access the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Website:  Recycling Home Page

 

 

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ž Updated 09/21/04