Household Hazardous Waste

Local Household Hazardous Materials (HHW) Collection Programs

* * *Consumer Alert Regarding Face Cream Containing Mercury* * *

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has issued a warning to consumers about certain skin creams that may contain mercury. One such product, labeled "Crema Aguamary," and purchased in Mexico, was brought into Maryland and is thought to be responsible for at least one case of mercury poisoning in the State.

Consumers who have face cream that they believe contains mercury should seal the jar in a plastic bag or leak-proof container and dispose of it in their household trash.

For more information on the warning, visit DHMH.

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	envhlth@hereintown.net 301-777-5647	Year round
Anne Arundel	410-222-7951	6 days/yr. (April thru Oct)
Baltimore City		No program
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	Monty Monteith 410-479-4040	Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program*
Carroll	410-386-2633	Oil and antifreeze only accepted
Cecil	Tanya Adams 410-996-6275	Oil and antifreeze only accepted Biannual HHW day events
Charles	Lowry Phelps 301-932-3440	April thru Dec., 1st Saturday of each month, 9-3.
Dorchester	Robert Tenanty 410-228-2920	Oil and antifreeze only accepted
Frederick	Administration 301-694-1848	Biannual (Spring-Fall)
Garrett	Kimberly Madigan 301-387-0322	Oil and antifreeze only accepted
Harford	Robert Ernst 410-638-3417	Biannually collects oil and antifreeze, paint, marked pesticide containers, contaminated gasoline
Howard	Alan Wilcom 410-313-6433	April thru Nov, Sat. only, Alpha Ridge Landfill
Kent	Marty Holden 410-778-7448	Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program*
Montgomery	Rick Dimont 240-777-6564	Shady Grove Transfer Station, Open 7 days/week; 9am to 5pm.
Prince George’s	Recycling Section 301-883-5045	Year round @ Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill on Thurs, Fri. & Sat.
Queen Anne’s	Todd Mohn 410-758-2697	Biannual (Spring-Fall); Mid-Shore Program*
St. Mary’s	Richard Tarr 301-863-8400 x550	2-3 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	Harvey Hoch 240-313-2796	Antifreeze, oil, and rechargable batteries only accepted all year
Wicomico	410-548-4810	Oil & antifreeze only collected
Worcester	Ron Taylor 410-632-3177	Special events
*MID-SHORE Program (Caroline, Kent, Talbot, & Queen Anne’s)	James Wood 410-758-6605	Biannual (Spring-Fall). Oil and antifreeze all year.
MD Department of Agriculture	Robert Hofstetter 410-841-5710	MDA Pesticide Collection Program for small businesses

Community HHW Collection Events

Cecil County