Paint, lawn and garden chemicals, cleaners and auto and boat fluids go to a Barnstable County household hazardous waste collection, which runs on set days from April to October. The county's page says propane tanks, fire extinguishers and gas cylinders are not accepted there, so ask your town's transfer station before you drive.
Key points
- The county collection takes leftover paint and stains, lawn and garden chemicals, cleaners, auto and boat fluids and pool chemicals.
- It does not take propane tanks, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, vehicle batteries, medical waste or sharps.
- Collections run April to October, mostly on Saturdays, a few dates per town.
- Residents are free with proof of residency. Non-residents register in advance.
- Latex paint varies by town, so ask your town.
- Keep products in their original containers, and never pour them out.
What the county collection takes
Barnstable County runs household hazardous waste collections on set days through the season, rather than daily. According to the county's page, the collections take leftover paint and stains, lawn and garden chemicals, cleaners, auto and boat fluids, pool chemicals and mercury items. Oil-based paint and lithium batteries are also listed.
What it does not take
The same page lists items that are not accepted: unlabeled products, medical waste and sharps, vehicle batteries, propane tanks, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, explosives, asbestos and empty aerosol cans. Latex paint varies by town.
So where does propane go?
Not to the county collection, according to the county's current page. Some town transfer stations take propane tanks and fire extinguishers themselves. For example, the Town of Mashpee's transfer station regulations list propane tanks and fire extinguishers among the materials handled in its recycling area. Rules differ by town, and they change, so call your transfer station before you load a tank. A tank that is still in use can often go back to the supplier that filled it, so ask them too.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| County collection takes | Leftover paint and stains, lawn and garden chemicals, cleaners, auto and boat fluids, pool chemicals and mercury items. Oil-based paint and lithium batteries are also listed.Source: Barnstable County, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Barnstable County retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| County collection does not take | Unlabeled products, medical waste and sharps, vehicle batteries, propane tanks, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, explosives, asbestos and empty aerosol cans. Latex paint varies by town.Source: Barnstable County, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Barnstable County retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| Who can use it and when | Residents are free with proof of residency. Non-residents register in advance. Collections run April to October, mostly on Saturdays, a few dates per town.Source: Barnstable County, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Barnstable County retrieved 2026-10-26 |
| Mashpee transfer station | Its regulations list propane tanks and fire extinguishers among materials handled in the recycling area.Source: Town of Mashpee, retrieved 2026-10-26 | Town of Mashpee retrieved 2026-10-26 |
Before you go
- Keep products in their original, labeled containers. Unlabeled products are not accepted at the county collection.
- Do not mix chemicals, and do not pour them down a drain or onto the ground.
- Check the county page for the date and registration rules for your town.
- Call your town's transfer station about propane, fire extinguishers and latex paint.
- Transport containers upright and secured, away from heat.
If a cleanout has a lot of these
Garages and sheds often hide years of paint cans and chemicals. See our junk removal and hauling page, or the overview on our junk removal page. To ask about a job, request a quote or call (508) 400-5788 any time, 24 hours a day. For the wider list of banned items, read what Massachusetts bans from the trash.
Common questions
Where do I take old paint on Cape Cod?
Oil-based paint and stains go to a Barnstable County household hazardous waste collection. Latex paint varies by town, so ask your transfer station.
Can I bring a propane tank to the county collection?
No. The county's page lists propane tanks and gas cylinders as not accepted. Ask your town's transfer station or the supplier.
Do non-residents have to pay?
Residents are free with proof of residency. Non-residents register in advance, per the county page. Check the page for current terms.
Planning a move or a cleanout?
Sources
- Barnstable County, Household Hazardous Waste, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.capecod.gov/departments/cooperative-extension/programs/hazardous-waste-water-quality/household-hazardous-waste/
- Town of Mashpee, Regulations for Use and Operation of Transfer Station, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.mashpeema.gov/
- Mass.gov, Safely manage household hazardous products, retrieved 2026-10-26, https://www.mass.gov/guides/safely-manage-household-hazardous-products
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm details with the agency linked above.