The NH Recycles Solid Waste Safety Program helps communities reduce safety risks at transfer stations and recycling facilities by addressing some of the most common—and most dangerous—materials found in the waste stream.
Improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, scrap metal, and other hazardous materials can cause fires, injuries, and environmental contamination. This program provides hands-on support, training, and practical tools to help operators, town staff, and emergency responders identify risks, prevent incidents, and respond safely when issues arise.
What this program offers
Operator-focused training and workshops on identifying and safely managing hazardous materials
Technical assistance tailored to the layout, staffing, and needs of individual transfer stations
Safety resources and guidance related to lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, scrap metal, and other high-risk materials
Coordination with local partners, including fire departments and municipal staff, to support safer operations
Who this program is for
- Transfer station and recycling center operators
- Town staff and public works employees
- Local firefighters and emergency responders
- Small and rural communities with limited staff or resources
This program is designed to support real-world municipal operations and reduce preventable safety incidents—keeping staff, residents, and facilities safer.
Solid Waste Safety Summit
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the fastest-growing safety risks at transfer stations and recycling facilities across New Hampshire. Fires caused by improperly disposed batteries are increasing — putting staff, facilities, equipment, and communities at risk.
NH Recycles, in partnership with the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission and the Lakes Region Regional Planning Commission, hosted two in-person Solid Waste Safety Summits and one webinar to help operators better understand current safety priorities, reduce fire risk, and know exactly what to do if a fire occurs.
The Safety Summits were designed for anyone involved in — or impacted by — solid waste safety, including solid waste and recycling facility operators and staff, local firefighters and fire department personnel, and municipal and town employees (public works, town administrators, boards, and staff).
Webinar recording coming soon...
Grant Eligibility
While all communities are welcome to attend open events, such as the Safety Summits, grant eligible communities may access additional benefits such as travel stipends, site visits, and small-group tours. Eligibility is based on community size and median income, as determined by the USDA.
Grant Eligible Communities:
Acworth, Albany, Alexandria, Allenstown, Alstead, Andover, Antrim, Ashland, Barnstead, Bartlett, Bath, Bennington, Benton, Bethlehem, Boscawen, Bradford, Bridgewater, Bristol, Brookfield, Campton, Canaan, Carroll, Charlestown, Chatham, Clarksville, Colebrook, Columbia, Cornish, Dalton, Danbury, Dorchester, Dummer, Easton, Eaton, Effingham, Errol, Fitzwilliam, Franconia, Freedom, Gilsum, Gorham, Goshen, Grafton, Greenville, Groton, Hancock, Haverhill, Hebron, Hill, Hinsdale, Holderness, Jackson, Jaffrey, Keene, Lancaster, Landaff, Lempster, Lincoln, Lisbon, Lyman, Marlborough, Middleton, Milan, Milton, Monroe, Moultonborough, New Hampton, New Ipswich, Northfield, Northumberland, Orford, Ossipee, Piermont, Pittsburg, Pittsfield, Randolph, Richmond, Rollinsford, Roxbury, Rumney, Salisbury, Sanbornton, Shelburne, Stark, Stewartstown, Stratford, Tamworth, Thornton, Tilton, Troy, Tuftonboro, Unity, Wakefield, Walpole, Warner, Warren, Washington, Waterville Valley, Wentworth, Whitefield, Wilton, Winchester, Woodstock.