Submitted by Carlee Kirla
(October 6, 2026) — The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) invites residents to participate in its final Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection event of the year, taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the former Haddam Elementary School, 272 Saybrook Road (Route 154) in Higganum.
This free collection program provides residents with a safe and responsible way to dispose of household hazardous materials, helping keep potentially harmful substances out of the environment while ensuring they are handled and disposed of properly. The collection is open to residents of the following member communities: Haddam, Killingworth, Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Hampton, Essex, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.
The event is a fully-staffed, drive-through operation. Participants will remain in their vehicles while trained staff remove accepted materials, making the process quick, safe, and convenient. Residents will not need to unload any items themselves.
To participate, residents should bring proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill or other identification. There is no charge for residents of participating towns. Please note that commercial waste will not be accepted.
For a list of accepted items and additional event details, visit www.rivercog.org/hhw. For questions and additional information, please contact Janice Ehlemeyer, Community Planner | jehlemeyer@rivercog.org | 860-581-8554 x704
