MDE's Solid Waste Program (SWP) is responsible for assuring that society's domestic, commercial, and non-hazardous industrial solid waste is handled properly. Improper handling of these wastes can pose direct threats to both public health and Maryland's natural resources, particularly water resources. Since 1914, Maryland has had laws requiring solid waste to be handled in a manner that minimizes the risk posed to public health and the environment. The impact caused by poor waste disposal practices include:
- pollution of groundwater, which many Marylanders rely on for drinking water supplies;
- pollution of surface water, with the potential for impacting drinking water supplies of many of the large municipalities in Maryland (e.g. Baltimore City); and,
- health nuisances such as odor, rats, flies, and mosquitoes.
Solid Waste Acceptance Facilities
MDE regulates Solid Waste Acceptance (SWA) facilities to ensure the proper disposal of solid waste in an environmentally acceptable manner while protecting public health and the environment, including surface and groundwater. A Refuse Disposal (RD) Permit is required for the installation, alteration, or extension of an SWA facility. The RD Permit regulates the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of such facilities to minimize the impact on public health and the environment. Municipal, rubble, and some industrial waste landfills are required to have liners and leachate collection systems that facilitate the collection of leachate and prevent migration of pollutants out of the landfill to adjacent subsurface soil, groundwater, and surface water. (The term leachate is used to describe the liquid formed when precipitation soaks into landfill waste and migrates downward through waste due to gravity. As liquids move through the waste, they may extract substances leaching out of the waste - hence the term leachate) With some exceptions, processing and transfer activities are required to be conducted in an enclosed building to control odor, dust, noise, and the like. For a complete list of permitted SWA facilities, see the
Permitted Facilities page.
SWA facilities, which are regulated by an RD Permit, include:
- Municipal landfills
- Rubble [construction and demolition (C&D) debris] landfills
- Non-hazardous industrial waste landfills
- Land clearing debris landfills
- Waste-to-energy facilities
- Municipal incinerators
- Special medical waste incinerators
- Special medical waste processing facilities
- Solid waste processing facilities
- Solid waste transfer stations.
PFAS Monitoring and Reporting Requirement
As of July 1, 2024, the Department will require all facilities conducting monitoring regulated under Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.07.09, 26.04.07.17, 26.04.07.20 and/or 40 CFR Part 258 to analyze for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as a GenX Chemical). The risk posed by exposure to PFAS is an emerging and evolving national concern. For more information about this change, please see the documents below:
Letter to Maryland Solid Waste Facility Operators Regarding PFAS Monitoring and Reporting - January 2024
MDE Solid Waste Program Monitoring Parameters (Tables I & II) - May 2024
Natural Wood Waste Recycling Facilities
An NWWR Facility is a facility that accepts natural wood waste such as tree stumps and limbs, brush, root mats, logs, leaves, grass clippings, unadulterated wood wastes, and other natural vegetative materials that are generated when land is cleared for construction purposes. These facilities produce a variety of products including wood chips, mulch, compost, and firewood, which may be sold to consumers. These facilities are valued because they prevent natural wood waste from entering the landfill and make useful products from such waste. Recycling natural wood waste saves valuable space, thereby extending the life of landfills in Maryland. An individual or general NWWR Facility Permit is required for persons constructing and operating such a facility. For a complete list of permitted NWWR facilities, see the
Permitted Facilities page.
Natural Wood Waste Fact Sheet - A fact sheet concerning the NWWR regulations.
Composting Facilities
Composting organic material can be a useful way to recycle materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Larger-scale commercial, governmental, or cooperative composting activities can potentially have negative environmental impacts such as water pollution, the risk of fire, and the development of significant health nuisances such as odor and the attraction of disease vectors such as rats and flies. For more information on composting of materials other than NWW, see MDE's
Organics Diversion and Composting page.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste may be produced as a by-product of certain manufacturing operations. In addition, many commercial chemical products are regulated as hazardous waste once they are discarded or intended to be discarded. The Hazardous Waste Program of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for the regulation of hazardous waste in Maryland.
For additional information or questions, go to the Hazardous Waste web page or contact Ed Hammerberg by email or phone at 410-537-3314.
Regulation of the Open Burning of Solid Waste
Open burn permits issued by the local health officer can help to address air pollution, nuisance, and public safety concerns when all applicable laws and regulations are followed. The Land and Materials Administration, with input from the Air and Radiation Management Administration, has put together guidance in an effort to clarify the appropriate application of open burning regulations.
Open Burning Fact Sheet
- This fact sheet describes the regulatory requirements and provides examples of when materials that are solid waste can and can't be burned.
Solid Waste Program Public Meetings or Hearings:
For the most up-to-date information on public meetings or hearings, visit the
MDE Calendar
Page.
R.B. Baker & Sons Rubble Landfill No. 2
In accordance with Sections 1-601, 1-602, and 1-604 and 9-209 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has made a Tentative
Determination to approve a Refuse Disposal Permit Application submitted by R.B. Baker & Sons, Inc. for the proposed R.B. Baker & Sons Rubble Landfill No. 2 Vertical Expansion located at
501 4H Park Road, Queenstown, Maryland 21658. The landfill is a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that accepts land clearing debris and construction and demolition debris for disposal and/or recycling.
To provide an opportunity for interested citizens to obtain information about the proposed landfill and
MDE’s Tentative Determination, an Informational Meeting and a Public Hearing are scheduled for
September 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
at the Queenstown Commissioners Office located at
7013 Main Street, Queenstown, Maryland 21658. That evening, immediately following the Informational Meeting, a
Public Hearing will be held to provide the citizens an opportunity to formally comment on MDE’s
Tentative Determination concerning the proposed landfill. A Public Informational Meeting concerning
this application was previously held on October 27, 2022.
Upon prior request, MDE will provide an interpreter for the deaf or hearing-impaired persons. The permit application and supporting documents will be available for public review at the Centreville Branch of the Queen Anne’s Public Library located at
121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, Maryland 21617 after September 6, 2024.
Written comments regarding the application may be submitted to Tyler Abbott, Director, Land and Materials Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 within 30 days of the publication of this Tentative Determination.
Allison Marong: (410) 537-3315
Chesapeake Terrace Rubble Landfill
The proposed Chesapeake Terrace Rubble Landfill will be located along Patuxent Road in Odenton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. National Waste Managers, Inc. has applied for a Refuse Disposal Permit to construct and operate a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that will accept land clearing debris and construction and demolition debris for disposal and/or recycling. See the Chesapeake Terrace Rubble Landfill page for more information.
In accordance with Sections 1-604 and 1-605 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has made a Final Determination to deny the Refuse Disposal Permit Application for the Chesapeake Terrace Rubble Landfill to be located along Patuxent Road in Odenton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. This Final Determination is pursuant to an application made by National Waste Managers, Inc. and received by MDE on December 20, 1988, in accordance with Section 9-204 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and other pertinent sections under that subtitle.
Having found the application to be technically complete and in compliance with the applicable State laws and regulations, the Department published notice of its Tentative Determination on January 25, 2023 and February 1, 2023 in The Capital and Maryland Gazette newspapers. The Final Determination is based upon the review of the permit application and supporting documents submitted by the applicant, and upon testimony and evidence presented at the public hearing held on February 23, 2023. Pursuant to Section 9-212.1(2) of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, MDE is denying the application as the operation of a sanitary landfill system would harm public health. The proposed East Entrance from Conway Road constitutes a risk to public health due to its proximity to the recently constructed Two Rivers Elementary School (formerly West County Elementary School) and its intersection with the WB&A Trail.
The Department’s Final Determination and supporting documents will be available for public review at the Odenton Branch of the Anne Arundel Public Library System located at 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Maryland 21113 and at the Department by appointment after November 6, 2024. Any person adversely affected by this Final Determination may file a petition for judicial review, provided that person: 1) meets the threshold standing requirements under federal law; and 2) is the applicant or participated in a public participation process through the submission of written or oral comments. Petitions for judicial review of a Final Determination or permit decision subject to judicial review must be filed in accordance with Section 1-605 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, within 30 days after publication of a notice of final determination and must be filed in a circuit court in Maryland. Petitions for judicial review must conform to the applicable Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure. Failure to file a petition for judicial review within 30 days after publication of a notice of final determination will constitute a waiver of any right to a judicial review of this Final Determination.
Samuel Ogbogu: (410) 537-3315
Tolson and Associates Rubble Landfill
In accordance with Sections 1-601, 1-602, 1-604, and 9-209 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has made a Tentative Determination to approve a Refuse Disposal Permit Application submitted by Tolson & Associates, LLC for the proposed vertical expansion of the Tolson & Associates Rubble Landfill located at the end of Capitol Raceway Road, Crofton in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The proposed vertical expansion will occur within the footprint of the existing landfill and will increase the maximum permitted elevation of the landfill within the limits of the County’s local zoning approval, to provide more efficient use of the airspace that allows an increased overall capacity from 230 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) to 244 feet AMSL. Tolson & Associates Rubble Landfill is a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that accepts land clearing debris and construction and demolition debris for disposal and recycling. For more information on this site see the
Tolson Rubble Landfill webpage.
Pursuant to the Environment Article, Sections 1-601 and 1-603, Annotated Code of Maryland, a Virtual Informational Meeting and Public Hearing was scheduled for interested citizens to obtain information about the permit renewal and MDE’s Tentative Determination. To provide an opportunity for interested citizens to obtain information about the proposed vertical expansion of the existing landfill and MDE’s Tentative Determination, a virtual Informational Meeting and Public Hearing was held in accordance with Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland No. 21-03-09-03, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.
The permit application, and supporting documents and draft permit were available for review after May 28, 2021, on the Tolson Rubble Landfill page. Hard copies were available for public review at the Crofton Community Library Branch of the Anne Arundel County Library System located at 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton, Maryland 21114.
Written comments regarding the application were to be submitted to Ms. Kaley Laleker, Director, Land and Materials Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 within 30 days of the publication of this Tentative Determination.
Samuel Ogbogu: (410) 537-3315
Al-Ray Rubble Landfill
The existing landfill is located at 4910 Sands Road, Lothian, Anne Arundel County, Maryland 20711. The current permit requires the semi-annual monitoring of the groundwater for metals and organic compounds. The proposed permit allows MDE to set and maintain requirements for the continued monitoring of groundwater quality at the closed rubble landfill and does not authorize an expansion or other change to the facility, which is now part of the Sands Road Park.
A Public Hearing was to be held on the MDE’s Tentative Determination on this permit application if a written request is received on or before July 6, 2020. Any written comments concerning the Tentative Determination were to be received by the close of business on July 16, 2020. Requests for a Public Hearing or written comments were to be sent to: Ms. Kaley Laleker, Director, Land and Materials Administration, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21230-1719.
Sara Haile: (410) 537-3315
Midshore III Regional Solid Waste Facility
In accordance with Sections 1-601, 1-602, and 1-603 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is presently reviewing a Refuse Disposal Permit Application submitted by Maryland Environmental Service for the proposed Midshore III Regional Solid Waste Facility located on Harper Road, Centreville, Maryland. The landfill is a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that accepts residential and commercial solid waste (household refuse and waste from businesses, stores, and offices), bulky waste (household appliances and white goods), sewage sludge, land clearing debris and yard waste, asbestos, and construction and demolition (C&D) debris for disposal and/or recycling.
MDE will hold an Informational Meeting regarding this application at the Queen Anne's County Planning Commissioners Office located at 110 Vincit Street, Suite 104, Centreville, Maryland on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the Informational Meeting is to provide an opportunity to the general public to obtain information about the permit application and MDE's review process. Representatives for the applicant and MDE will be available to answer specific questions.
Upon prior request, MDE will provide an interpreter for the deaf or hearing-impaired persons. The permit application and supporting documents will be available for public review at the Centreville Branch of the Queen Anne's Public Library located at 121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, Maryland 21617, and at MDE by appointment after September 22, 2023.
Written comments regarding the application may be submitted to Tyler Abbott, Director, Land and Materials Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.
Factsheet - Midshore III Regional Solid Waste Facility (October 2023)
Phase I Report and Permit Application (February 2023)
Notice of Application Received and Informational Meeting (September 2023)
Contact:Allison Marong: (410) 537-3315
Eastern Sanitary LandfillThe Maryland Department of the Environment Solid Waste Program (MDE/SWP) is presently reviewing a Refuse Disposal Permit Application submitted by the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management for the proposed vertical expansion of the existing Eastern Sanitary Landfill located at 6259 Days Cove Road, White Marsh, Maryland in Baltimore County. The proposed vertical expansion will occur within the footprint of the existing landfill and will increase the maximum permitted elevation of the landfill from 192 ft above mean sea level (ft amsl) to 230 ft amsl. The landfill is a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that accepts residential and commercial solid waste (household refuse and waste from businesses, stores, and offices), bulky waste (household appliances and white goods), institutional (non-hazardous waste from schools, hospitals), asbestos, incinerator ash, land clearing debris and yard waste, and construction and demolition (C&D) debris for disposal and/or recycling.
Meeting:
MDE/SWP will hold an Informational Meeting regarding this application at the Rosedale Branch of Baltimore County Public Library located at 6105 Kenwood Avenue, Rosedale, Maryland 21237 on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the Informational Meeting is to provide an opportunity to the public to obtain information about the permit application and MDE/SWP's review process. Representatives for the applicant and MDE/SWP will be available to answer specific questions.
Upon prior request, MDE/SWP will provide an interpreter for the deaf or hearing-impaired persons. The permit application and supporting documents will be available for public review at the White Marsh branch of Baltimore County Public Library located at 8133 Sandpiper Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21236 and at MDE/SWP by appointment after April 22, 2024.
Written comments regarding the application may be submitted to Tyler Abbott, Director, Land and Materials Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.
Contact:
Sara Haile: (410) 537-3315
Millersville Municipal Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility The Maryland Department of the Environment Solid Waste Program (MDE/SWP) is presently reviewing a Refuse Disposal Permit Application submitted by
Anne Arundel County, Maryland for the proposed
vertical expansion of the existing Millersville Municipal Landfill and Resource Recover Facility located at 389 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, Maryland in Anne Arundel County. The proposed vertical expansion will occur within the footprint of the existing landfill and will increase the maximum permitted elevation of the landfill from 244 ft above mean sea level (ft amsl) to 285 ft amsl. The landfill is a non-hazardous solid waste acceptance facility that accepts residential and commercial solid waste (household refuse and waste from businesses, stores, and offices), bulky waste (household appliances and white goods), land clearing debris and yard waste,
and construction and demolition (C&D) debris for disposal and/or recycling.
Meeting:
MDE/SWP will hold an Informational Meeting regarding this application at the Arundel High School located at 1001 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054 on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the Informational Meeting is to provide an opportunity to the public to obtain information about the permit application and MDE/SWP's review process. Representatives for the applicant and MDE/SWP will be available to answer specific questions.
Upon prior request, MDE/SWP will provide an interpreter for the deaf or hearing-impaired persons. The permit application and supporting documents will be available for public review at the Odenton Branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library located at 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Maryland 21113 and at MDE/SWP by appointment after May 7, 2024.
Written comments regarding the application may be submitted to Tyler Abbott, Director, Land and Materials Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.
Phase I Report and Permit Application
Notice of Application Received and Informational Meeting (May 2024)
Contact:
Allison Marong: (410) 537-3315
Layhill/Bonifant Rubble Landfill
The Maryland Department of the Environment, Solid Waste Program (MDE/SWP) is presently reviewing a Groundwater Discharge Permit Renewal Application submitted by Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The application is for the continued discharge of wastewater generated by rainwater percolating through the rubble cell floor of the closed Layhill/Bonifant Rubble Landfill into groundwater via infiltration/percolation. This landfill is located at 1201 Bonifant Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20905. The current permit requires the semi-annual monitoring of the groundwater for metals and organic compounds. The proposed permit allows MDE to set and maintain requirements for the continued monitoring of groundwater quality at the closed rubble landfill and does not authorize an expansion or other change to the facility.
A Public Hearing will be held on the MDE’s Tentative Determination on this permit application if a written request is received on or before May 1, 2024. The request should indicate the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the person making the request, the name of any party whom the person making the request may represent, and the name of the facility.
Any written comments concerning the Tentative Determination must be received by the close of business on May 13, 2024. Requests for a Public Hearing or written comments should be sent to Tyler Abbott, Director, Land and Materials Administration, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 610, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.
Upon prior request, MDE will provide an interpreter for the deaf or hearing-impaired persons. The application, supporting documents, and draft permit will be available for review after April 10, 2024, at the Montgomery County Public Library located at 11701 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902 and at MDE by appointment.
Permit Application (Feb 2024)
Contact:
Sara Haile: (410) 537-3315
Maryland Solid Waste and Recycling Facilities Work Group
Passed during the 2017 Legislative Session, House Bill 124 (Chapter 376) directs the Maryland Department of the Environment (the “Department”) to adopt regulations to specify when a “recycling facility” may operate without a refuse disposal permit and to exempt certain materials that are managed at a recycling facility from being designated as “solid waste.” The law also provides that the regulations may include design and operational conditions for recycling facilities to protect the environment and allows for a tiered system of permits or approvals that are based on the type and amount of materials to be managed at a facility. In accordance with the statute, the Department must convene and consult with a workgroup of affected stakeholders when developing the regulations. THe work group met throughout 2018, and the Department is currently working to finish drafting the regulations.
Edward Dexter: (410) 537-3315
Facilities of Interest
Allied Chemical Chromium Works/Harbor Point Redevelopment
Harbor Point Development, LLC has constructed a commercial and retail building at the former Allied Chemical chromium plant at 1000 Wills Street in Fells Point, where chromium ore was processed for over 130 years until the plant was demolished in the 1980s. Due to extensive contamination with chromium from the historical industrial activities, the site was subject to a thorough investigation and remediation in accordance with the State and federal hazardous waste regulations. Learn more on the
Allied Chemical page.
Contact us
Solid Waste Program, Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Blvd., Ste. 605
Baltimore MD 21230-1719
