What is household hazardous waste (HHW)?
Hazardous materials have any of these properties
- reactive
- ignitable
- combustible
- toxic, and/or
- corrosive
What materials are accepted as HHW?
Examples of accepted materials include:
- acids, such as:
- hydrochloric acid
- muriatic acid
- sulfuric acid
- aerosol cans with remaining hazardous products (discard empty cans as regular trash)
- antifreeze (5 gallon limit)
- batteries - see more battery options
- dry cell and alkaline batteries
- lithium
- lithium-ion
- nickel-cadmium
- lead acid (vehicle)
- uninterruptible power supplies (personal and network)
- tool batteries
- brake fluid (5 gallon limit)
- charcoal containing flammable agents - see more detail about charcoal
- carbon monoxide detectors
- dioxins
- driveway sealant
- drywall mud containing asbestos
- gasoline, gas-oil mixes, flammable liquids, unwanted fuels
- fertilizers
- fluorescent light tubes and bulbs (compact fluorescent lights - CFLs) - see more fluorescent bulb/light options
- fluorescent light ballasts
- herbicides
- insecticides
- mercury-containing items, including thermostats and thermometers
- nail polish - see more nail polish options
- paints
- paint thinners and solvents
- pesticides
- photographic chemicals
- road flares - see more detail about road flares
- smoke alarms
- swimming pool chemicals
- tar
- tile mastic containing asbestos
- used motor oil, most other oils, hydraulic fluids, kerosene (5 gallon limit) - see more detail about these fluids
- unknowns (items without any type of identification)
If you have over 15 gallons of liquid or 75 pounds of solid wastes, please call the Recycling and Resource Management Division at 311 (240-777-0311) to arrange a drop-off.
Where and when do I bring my HHW?
The HHW drop-off is located in the Recycling Area of the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. Use the Route 355 / Frederick Road entrance to the facility.
The HHW drop-off for residents is open during the Transfer Station's hours of operation. Small businesses must bring material only during our ECOWISE program hours.
How do I dispose of sharps and syringes?
We do not accept medical sharps and syringes at our HHW drop-off. See our medical sharps and syringes page for disposal instructions.
What items are not accepted as hazardous waste?
Materials we cannot accept at our HHW drop-off include
