Household Hazardous Waste Collections

Got a mercury-containing fever thermometer? Trade it in! Bring your mercury thermometer to a Household Hazardous Waste collection and receive a free digital fever thermometer. One per household while supplies last.

Some of your household products may be considered hazardous materials. Improper disposal of these hazardous materials may harm the environment and/or human health. The County now has a staffed Household Hazardous Waste receiving area (open 9 am - 5 pm, Sunday through Saturday) at the Transfer Station, in addition to the conveniently located satellite collections -- both are free of charge!

If your business generates hazardous waste, the Ecowise Program may meet your disposal needs.  Contact the Division of Solid Waste Services for more information and to see if you qualify.

Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station

• The Household Hazardous Waste receiving area at the Transfer Station is located in the recycling drop-off section of the Public Unloading Area.
• Please use the Car Entrance to the facility.
• open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday - Saturday) – no need to wait for special monthly collection events! Household Hazardous Waste can only be received during these hours -- please do not drop off this material at other times.
• These hours are only for residents. Small businesses must use our Ecowise program.

Other County Satellite Collection Events:

• Satellite collection events operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and are unable to accept material after 2:00 p.m. No appointment is needed.
• Want announcements as additions are made to the schedule?  Join our email notification list!
• No commercial vehicles or non-residential waste, please.

What will be accepted at the Transfer Station or satellite collection sites:

Note: If you have over 15 gallons of liquid or 75 pounds of solid wastes, please call the Division of Solid Waste Services at 240-777-6400 so that special arrangements may be made, if necessary when you bring your waste to a drop-off location.

Please click on links for additional information and disposal alternatives. Smoke alarms are not hazardous waste.

• Insecticides (Chlordane, DDT, Malathion, Sevin, Arsenic, etc.)
• Herbicides
• Other pesticides (used for control of rodents, fungi, snails, mites, etc.)
• Fertilizers with herbicides
• Paint thinners and solvents
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Unwanted fuels
• Mercury containing items, i.e. thermostats and thermometers
• Used motor oil, most other oils, hydraulic fluids, kerosene (5 gallon limit)
• Photographic chemicals
• Brake fluid and antifreeze (5 gallon limit)
• Car batteries
• Oil-based paints (Latex paints are not hazardous waste)
• Batteries containing nickel, cadmium, mercury, silver-oxide, lead or lithium. Alkaline batteries may be put in with regular trash.
• Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs
  

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites CANNOT accept:

• Explosives, compressed gas cylinders (examples: oxygen, acetylene, carbon dioxide), and shock-sensitive materials
  • propane and helium tanks are accepted
• Commercial, industrial or medical wastes
• Computers and related electronics
• Dioxins
• Kepones
• Unknowns (items without any type of identification)
• Radioactive materials
• For further information call 410-631-3300, State of Maryland, Department of the Environment, Office of Radiological Health.
• Televisions
• Asbestos
  • Loose asbestos should only be removed by a trained contractor.  For further information, call the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection at 240-777-7770.
  • Asbestos floor tiles and house shingles may be included in your regular trash, or taken to the Solid Waste Transfer Station. Separate them into a trash bag.
• Normal trash or bulk trash items (such as tree limbs, appliances, furniture, other large items).

Preparing Your Materials for Transport to the Collection Sites

• Bring material in original containers or packaging or in secure, clearly labeled, leak-proof containers.
• Check all containers to make sure lids are tight.
• If container leaks, pack contents and container in a larger package and use an absorbent material, such as cat litter, to soak up leaks.
• Group similar materials in the same area of your car to make unloading easier (ex.: group all oil-based paints together)
• Handle car batteries with damaged cases or missing filler caps with extreme care.
• Boxes with dividers make good packaging.
• DON'T mix or pour different or unknown materials together in the same container!

What to expect at the Collection Site

• Specially-trained personnel will remove the materials from your car. You may be asked a few questions to help identify some materials.
• On-site chemists will examine the materials and determine the proper packaging for transport and disposal of the hazardous materials.

Hazardous Waste Tips

Please do:

• Purchase alternative, non-toxic household cleaning products.
• Purchase and use latex paint instead of oil-based paint whenever possible.
• Store different types of hazardous materials separately from each other.
• Follow recommended uses and precautions on labels.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous materials.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
• Wear protective eye glasses, gloves and clothing when handling hazardous materials.
• Recycle used motor oil at a participating service station or the waste oil recycling center at the Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station during regular business hours.
• Recycle car batteries and antifreeze at the Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station during regular business hours.

Please DON'T:

• Mix hazardous materials together.
• Flush hazardous wastes down the toilet.
• Pour hazardous wastes down household drains, storm drains, or on the ground.
• Bury wastes in your yard.
• Purchase hazardous products when there is a non-hazardous alternative.
• Purchase larger quantities of hazardous products than you will use.
• Exceed recommended amounts of applications of any hazardous material.