The Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment Article § 9-1801, defines Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any waste material, including garbage or trash, derived from a household that would be listed as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act but for the fact that the waste is derived from a household. Household hazardous waste may include: agricultural chemicals, cleaning agents and solvents, paint, pesticides, and preservatives.
Maryland does not regulate HHW as hazardous waste and Federal law allows for the disposal of HHW in household trash. However, due to the potential of HHW to cause physical injury, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems, and present hazards to children and pets, MDE recommends the proper recycling/disposal of HHW materials at local HHW collection programs.
Many Maryland counties have programs in place to collect HHW such as mercury, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, and to a lesser extent medications. The chart below shows the counties, names of contacts and current status of these programs. Some counties have HHW day only once a year so contact your county to find out when the next collection day is and ask what materials they will accept.
| County |
Contact |
Status |
| Allegany |
301-777-5933 x 210 |
Collects antifreeze and oil all year. |
| Anne Arundel |
410-222-7951 |
6 days/yr. (April thru Oct)
|
| Baltimore City |
410-396-4511 |
Collects materials from April through October. |
| Baltimore County |
Jerry Siewierski
410-887-3745 |
April thru Nov; Mon. - Sat. at Eastern Landfill. In addition, (2) one day events in Spring & Fall at various locations. |
| Calvert |
410-326-0210
|
Residents only. Events scheduled throughout the year. Motor Oil, Motor Oil Filters and Anti-Freeze accepted at Convenience Centers and Appeal Landfill |
| Caroline |
410-479-4040 |
Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program* |
| Carroll |
410-386-4550
410-926-2510 |
Oil, antifreeze, and electronics collected year round. Household Hazardous Waste Events Biennial (Spring and Fall) |
| Cecil |
Tanya Adams
410-996-6275
|
Oil and antifreeze only accepted
Biannual HHW day events
|
| Charles |
Frances Sherman
301-932-3569 |
April thru Dec., 1st Saturday of each month, 9-3. |
| Dorchester |
Thomas Moore
410-228-4571 |
Oil and antifreeze only accepted |
| Frederick |
Administration
301-600-1848 |
Biannual (Spring-Fall) |
| Garrett |
Kimberly Madigan
301-387-0322 |
Oil and antifreeze only accepted |
| Harford |
Melissa Filiaggi
410-638-3417
|
Biannually collects oil and antifreeze, paint, marked pesticide containers, contaminated gasoline |
| Howard |
Alan Wilcom
410-313-6444 |
April thru Nov, Sat. only, Alpha Ridge Landfill |
| Kent |
Marty Holden
410-778-7448 |
Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program* |
| Montgomery |
Rick Dimont
240-777-0311 |
Shady Grove Transfer Station, Open 7 days/week; 9am to 5pm. |
| Prince George’s |
Recycling Section
301-883-6113 |
Year round @ Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill on Thurs, Fri. & Sat. |
| Queen Anne’s |
Connie Toulson
410-758-2697
|
Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program* |
| St. Mary’s |
Nicholas Zurkan
301-863-8400 x3550 |
3 events per year in late Summer & early Fall at St. Andrews Landfill. |
| Somerset |
Charles Cavanaugh
410-651-9641 |
Oil and antifreeze only accepted at the convience centers |
| Talbot |
Derick Brummell
410-770-8170 |
Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program* |
| Washington |
Anthony Drury
240-313-2796
|
Antifreeze, oil, and rechargable batteries only accepted all year |
| Wicomico |
David Candy
410-548-4935
|
Oil & antifreeze only collected |
| Worcester |
Mike McClung
410-632-3177 |
Special events |
*MID-SHORE Program
(Caroline, Kent, Talbot, & Queen Anne’s) |
Richard Turnbell
443-685-4073 |
Biannual (Spring-Fall). Oil and antifreeze all year. |
| MD Department of Agriculture |
Robert Hofstetter
410-841-5710 |
MDA Pesticide Collection Program for small businesses |
See also:
For more information, contact The Resource Management Program at 410-537-3314