Plan Your Vernon Transfer Station Visit Before Loading the Vehicle
The municipal drop-off facility Vernon residents commonly search for as a recycling center is the Town of Vernon Transfer Station at 12 Hockanum Boulevard.
Some materials can be dropped off free with proof of Vernon residency, while bulky items, larger brush loads, mattresses and refrigerant appliances can require a permit, punchcard or additional punches.
Quick answer for Vernon residents
The Vernon Transfer Station is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.. It is at 12 Hockanum Boulevard, off Route 83.
Vernon residents can currently bring several categories free of charge with proof of residency, including excess refuse and recycling, qualifying metal, electronics, limited yard waste, used motor oil and antifreeze, lead-acid batteries and several other listed materials. Bulky items and larger loads can follow the permit-and-punchcard system.
How the Vernon Transfer Station works
The facility is more than a normal bottles-and-cans recycling drop-off. Vernon uses it for excess household refuse, recyclables, electronics, selected yard waste, metal and several special materials.
The key distinction is whether your material falls into a free resident category or a permit/punchcard category.
Free resident materials
Several Town-listed materials require proof of Vernon residency but no permit or punchcard.
Permit/punchcard loads
Bulky material, larger brush loads and certain special items use the Town’s paid permit/punchcard system.
Special handling
Mattresses, Freon units, fluorescent bulbs, oils, batteries and pressurized items should be sorted before arrival.
Vernon Transfer Station hours
| Day | Regular schedule | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Use the day to check special-item rules or purchase a permit if needed. |
| Tuesday | Closed | Do not rely on map “open” information if it conflicts with the Town schedule. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Regular weekday transfer-station day. |
| Thursday | Closed | Check for special-event notices separately. |
| Friday | Closed | The Vernon, CT facility is not the Vernon Township, NJ center that has Friday service. |
| Saturday | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Allow extra time for larger sorted loads. |
| Sunday | 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Shorter operating window than Wednesday and Saturday. |
Materials Vernon residents can currently drop off free
The Town’s published no-permit/no-punchcard guidance requires proof of Vernon residency. It identifies the following categories as free resident services.
| Category | Free resident rule | Important limit or distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Excess refuse & recycling | Free throughout the year with proof of Vernon residency | Separate material as directed at the station. |
| Metal | Items at least 75% metal are accepted free | Does not include Freon-containing units. |
| Electronic waste | Town-listed electronics are accepted free | Use the electronics section below for examples. |
| Small yard-waste quantity | Limited quantity accepted without permit/punchcard | About one car-trunk amount of brush plus one bag of listed yard material. |
| Motor oil & antifreeze | Accepted free | Maximum 5 gallons per visit; fluids must remain separate. |
| Lead-acid batteries | Accepted under the Town’s free resident list | Keep batteries secure during transportation. |
| Seasonal mulch | Free to Vernon residents | Residents load their own mulch. |
| Large amounts of paper | Accepted | Follow shredded-paper preparation instructions. |
| Books & selected media | Collection container available | Box books as instructed. |
| Fluorescent lightbulbs | Town lists tubes and household CFLs | Keep bulbs intact and protect them from breakage. |
Electronics recycling at Vernon Transfer Station
Vernon is also listed by Connecticut DEEP as a residential electronics collection location. The Town’s published free-drop-off guidance includes a broad electronics list.
Computers
Desktop computers, laptops and computer monitors are included.
Televisions
Televisions are included in the Town’s published electronics list.
Printers & office devices
Printers, fax machines and scanners are listed.
Computer accessories
Keyboards, mice, power cords and chargers are included in the published list.
Personal electronics
PDAs, portable digital music players and similar personal electronic devices are listed.
Entertainment electronics
VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, cable receivers, converter boxes and game consoles are listed.
Protect your data first
- Back up files you still need.
- Sign out of personal accounts.
- Remove removable storage where applicable.
- Factory-reset or securely erase devices when practical.
- Keep electronics separate from liquids and yard waste.
For additional preparation advice, see the electronic recycling center guide.
Yard waste, brush and seasonal mulch
The amount of yard waste matters because Vernon’s free-drop-off rules change when the load becomes larger.
Small free yard-waste amount
The Town allows a small amount of brush roughly equal to what fits in a car trunk, plus one trash bag containing weeds, tree trimmings, pine cones, pine needles and similar listed material.
Larger brush loads
Larger amounts of brush require the paid permit-and-punchcard system.
Seasonal mulch
Mulch is available free to Vernon residents when the seasonal program is active. Proof of residency is required, and residents are responsible for loading their own mulch.
Waste motor oil and antifreeze rules
Used motor oil and antifreeze can be taken to the transfer station free under the Town’s published resident program, but preparation matters.
- Use a clean plastic container with a screw-on cap.
- A clean laundry-detergent container is given as an example.
- Label the container.
- Do not mix oil and antifreeze together.
- Leave the container in the designated transfer-station area.
- The published limit is 5 gallons per visit.
Vernon Transfer Station permit and punchcard fees
The Town’s published transfer-station permit information lists a $5 annual permit per vehicle and a $60 ten-entry punchcard.
| Item | Published amount | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Annual transfer-station permit | $5 per vehicle | Town permit information says permits are renewed annually for the fiscal year. |
| 10-entry punchcard | $60 | Used for chargeable transfer-station disposal where punches are required. |
| Permit/punchcard location | Tax Office | Town guidance lists the Tax Office at 8 Park Place in Vernon. |
| Published payment note | Cash or check | Do not rely on card or mobile-wallet payment without confirming a newer Town notice. |
Bulky items and large cleanup loads
An item containing only a small amount of metal does not become free scrap metal simply because it has metal parts. The Town specifically treats examples such as sleeper sofas and recliners as bulky items.
Bulky-item disposal requires the applicable permit and punchcard. Larger brush quantities also move into the permit/punchcard system.
Mattresses, box springs and Freon appliances
Mattresses and box springs
The Town’s permit guidance states that mattresses and box springs require an additional punch for each mattress or box spring when disposed of at the Transfer Station.
If a retailer is delivering a replacement mattress, compare the retailer’s old-mattress removal option before transporting the old unit yourself.
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers
Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners are not covered by the free 75%-metal rule because they contain refrigerant systems.
The Town’s transfer-station permit material treats these as special Freon units subject to extra punch requirements. Verify the current punch requirement before bringing one because disposal charges can change.
Paper, shredded paper, books, media and fluorescent bulbs
Shredded and unshredded paper
Large quantities of paper are accepted. Town instructions say shredded paper should be placed in a brown paper grocery bag, stapled closed, and placed in the refuse receptacle rather than left loose.
Books, DVDs, VHS tapes and cassettes
A collection container is available for these materials. Books should be placed in a cardboard box with a lid so the boxes can be stacked in the container.
Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs
The Town lists fluorescent tubes and household compact fluorescent lamps. Carry them carefully and keep them intact; broken fluorescent lamps require more cautious handling because they can contain mercury.
Household hazardous waste is a separate Vernon program
The Transfer Station accepts a few special materials such as motor oil, antifreeze and fluorescent lamps, but that does not mean all household hazardous waste belongs there.
Vernon participates in a regional household hazardous-waste program. Town notices have directed residents to scheduled collection events, including a regional site at 321 Olcott Street in Manchester, with appointment requirements for those events.
Examples that may need HHW service
- Oil-based paint
- Paint thinner
- Pesticides
- Pool chemicals
- Mercury-containing products
- Old smoke detectors
- Unknown or hazardous household chemicals
What to do first
Check the current Town HHW notice or regional appointment system before transporting hazardous products. Event dates and eligible materials can change each year.
For general preparation guidance, see the household hazardous waste recycling guide.
Holiday and emergency closure checks
Vernon occasionally changes Transfer Station access around municipal holidays. For example, the facility closed on Saturday, July 4, 2026 and reopened Sunday, July 5 during normal noon–4:00 p.m. hours.
This is why a regular weekly schedule should not be treated as a guarantee for a holiday weekend.
Before-you-drive checklist for Vernon Transfer Station
- Confirm the day. Normal service is Wednesday and Saturday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Sunday noon–4:00 p.m.
- Check holiday or weather notices. A Town closure can override normal hours.
- Decide whether your load is free or chargeable. Excess refuse/recycling and several other categories are free with proof of Vernon residency, while bulky items and larger loads can require a permit and punchcard.
- Bring proof of residency. Free resident services are tied to Vernon residency.
- Buy a permit/punchcard before a chargeable trip. Town guidance identifies the Tax Office at 8 Park Place as the permit/punchcard location.
- Sort electronics, metal, yard waste and special materials separately. Sorting before arrival reduces confusion at unloading.
- Secure liquids. Motor oil and antifreeze need clean, closed, labeled containers and must not be mixed.
- Protect fluorescent bulbs. Keep tubes and CFLs from breaking during transportation.
- Check bulky, mattress and Freon-unit punch requirements. Do not assume the base permit covers them.
- Use the regional HHW program for chemicals that are not Transfer Station materials. Verify the current event date and appointment requirement first.
Common Vernon Transfer Station mistakes
| Mistake | Why it can cause a problem | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming every load needs the $60 punchcard | Several Town-listed resident categories are free with proof of residency. | Check whether your material appears on the free-drop-off list first. |
| Treating a sofa as free scrap metal | Items with only a small percentage of metal are bulky items, not qualifying 75%-metal items. | Use the permit/punchcard rule for bulky material. |
| Mixing oil and antifreeze | Town instructions require the fluids to remain separate. | Use separate clean, labeled, screw-cap containers. |
| Bringing a large brush load as a free yard-waste trip | Only a limited small quantity is covered by the free rule. | Use a permit/punchcard for larger brush loads. |
| Treating every household chemical as Transfer Station material | Vernon uses a separate regional HHW program for many hazardous products. | Check the current regional HHW event and appointment rules. |
| Going to another Vernon state’s facility | “Vernon recycling center” is geographically ambiguous. | Confirm the address is 12 Hockanum Boulevard, Vernon, Connecticut. |
Official Vernon resources and related guides
Vernon Transfer Station map and directions
The facility is at 12 Hockanum Boulevard, Vernon, CT 06066, off Route 83.
Frequently asked questions about Vernon Recycling Center
Where is the Vernon recycling center?
The municipal facility Vernon, Connecticut residents generally mean is the Town of Vernon Transfer Station at 12 Hockanum Boulevard, Vernon, CT 06066.
What are Vernon Transfer Station hours?
The regular schedule is Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are not regular public operating days.
Is Vernon Transfer Station open Sunday?
Yes. The regular Sunday schedule is noon to 4:00 p.m., subject to holiday, weather or other Town closures.
How much is a Vernon Transfer Station permit?
The Town’s published permit information lists the annual permit at $5 per vehicle.
How much is the Vernon Transfer Station punchcard?
The Town’s published information lists a 10-entry punchcard at $60. Item-specific disposal can consume additional punches, so verify the current punch requirement for bulky or special material.
Where do I buy a permit or punchcard?
Town guidance lists the Tax Office at 8 Park Place in Vernon as the location for permits and punchcards.
Can I bring extra trash and recycling for free?
Yes. Town guidance lists excess refuse and recycling as a free resident service throughout the year, with proof of Vernon residency required.
Does Vernon Transfer Station accept televisions and computers?
Yes. The Town’s published electronics list includes televisions, desktop computers, laptops, monitors, printers and several other electronic devices. Connecticut DEEP also lists the Vernon Transfer Station as a residential electronics collection location.
Can I take used motor oil and antifreeze there?
Yes. Vernon accepts waste motor oil and antifreeze under its free resident program. Keep them in separate clean, labeled containers with screw-on caps. The published maximum is 5 gallons per visit.
Does Vernon accept fluorescent bulbs?
Yes. Town information lists fluorescent tubes and household compact fluorescent bulbs. Keep them intact and protect them from breaking during transportation.
Do large brush loads require a permit?
Yes. A small amount of brush is included in the free resident program, but the Town states that larger amounts require a permit and punchcard.
Where should Vernon residents take household hazardous waste?
Vernon participates in a regional household hazardous-waste program with scheduled collection events. Check the latest Town notice for the current event dates, location, accepted materials and appointment requirements.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Town of Vernon website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Verify current hours, closures, fees and material rules with the Town of Vernon before making a special trip.
Official sources checked for this Vernon guide
Independent information guide: Recycling-Centre.org is not the Town of Vernon, Vernon Public Works, Connecticut DEEP or the operator of the Transfer Station. Hours, holiday closures, permit prices, punchcard prices, punch requirements, accepted materials and special collection programs can change. Verify time-sensitive or unusual loads with the responsible official source before driving.