Household Recycling

What  Is “Household” Hazardous Waste,
and Why Should  I Worry About  It?

“Household” hazardous waste is any toxic compound that you may use around your home or apartment.  Although there are no penalties for putting small amounts of most household hazardous waste in the regular trash collection, some chemicals may leach out of the sanitary landfill to cause  permanent problems for the water, wildlife, and vegetation around the landfill.  Some could end up in wells that people use for drinking water.  Others could damage the lining of the landfill, enabling more chemicals and bacteria to escape into the ground water table.  Although modern  landfills are carefully monitored for such leachate, it is better to avoid putting hazardous materials in the waste stream in the first place than to need to take expensive environment al remediation measures later.

Household chemicals used in cleaning, gardening, auto and pool maintenance can be hazardous to people and the environment.  Some are caustic (alkaline), some acidic,  and others are poisonous.  Some have components that alter organisms at the genetic level, like certain herbicides and insecticides.  Although these compounds can be very beneficial when used according to the manufacturers’ directions, they can cause damage in the landfill or if they are dumped illegally.

Since 1994, the Allegany County Environmental Health Division has worked with the County Commissioners to provide residents with an opportunity to dispose of their household hazardous waste safely. 

There’s  Some  Stuff  In  The Garage  That’s  Been There  Since I  Bought  The House.   Could  It  Be  Hazardous  Waste?
 

Yes, especially if the containers have deteriorated so badly you can’t read the labels, or if you think they might not be the original containers.  While most unknown substances can be brought to the household hazardous waste collection and analyzed by the field chemists, please check with us at the Environmental Health Division before transporting unidentified materials.  Some types of hazardous waste are too dangerous to bring to a public event.

What  Materials  Will  Be  Accepted  At  Household  Hazardous  Waste  Collection?

1. Leftover pesticides, herbicides, and pool chemicals

2. Solvents, paint thinners, cleaning compounds, wood preservatives and polish, metallic paints, poisonous compounds

3. “Unknowns” of suspicious origin

What  About Oil, Antifreeze, Gasoline, Propane Tanks, and Paint?  Should I Bring In  Empty  Containers  That  Held  Hazardous  Materials?
 

Allegany County provides year-round recycling containers for non-explosive petroleum products.  Look in your phone book, pages R 1-2, for locations and materials accepted.

• Dry, empty containers are not considered hazardous materials and should go into your regular trash collection.  Propane fuel tanks should be returned to the vendor.

• Paint thinners, solvents, finishing oils and stains can be brought to the household hazardous waste collection.  Liquid paint will not be accepted at this event.

• Leftover adhesives, roofing and driveway repair asphalt, caulking, and other semi-solid compounds should be considered household hazardous waste.

• Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and hormone-enhanced products, whether in liquid or dry form, should ONLY be disposed of at household hazardous waste collections.  Save leftovers between events if necessary.

Why  Can’t  I  Bring  Paint  To  The  County  Household  Hazardous  Waste  Collection
 

Pound for pound, Household Hazardous Waste costs far more for the county to dispose of safely than other subsidized collections – more than is spent on recycled materials programs, special large trash pick-ups, electronic equipment or appliance collections, or tire amnesty days.

The problem with liquid paint is that the landfill is not allowed to accept liquid wastes, not that the paint components are unusually toxic.  Also, liquid paint would be a very bulky and heavy proportion of our expensive hazardous waste if we were to collect it.   We want to use our household hazardous waste budget on compounds that are more environmentally dangerous, or that might damage the landfill liner.

Since paint – either water- or oil-based – can go to the landfill without causing problems once it is dry, we ask that you simply leave the cans open until the paint has dried to a solid consistency.  (If you want to speed up the drying process, you can pour the paint over a box of kitty litter or shredded newspapers.)

Paint cans, rollers or brushes, and  applicator trays can all go in the regular trash pick-up once the paint is thoroughly dry. 

What  Other  Materials  Will  Not  Be  Accepted  At 
Household  Hazardous  Waste  Collection?
 

For the safety of our collection staff and residents, DO NOT BRING  AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, OR POISONOUS GAS COMPOUNDS TO THIS EVENT! 

You must make arrangements with the Maryland Fire Marshall’s Office or the County Sheriff’s Office for ammunition or explosives.  Highly toxic, volatile chemicals must be referred to the HAZMAT team.

We are not equipped to dispose of any batteries except the common dry-cell type.   Special batteries for electronic equipment, hearing aides, and watches may be recycled by the vendor or manufacturer.  Auto, motorcycle, and airplane batteries can be returned to most vendors for recycling.

Fluorescent light tubes, TV / CRT screens, and electronic equipment are not appropriate materials for this collection.

You can request additional Public Health or
Household Hazardous Waste Day Information From:

The Environmental Health Division of the Allegany County Health Department
PO Box 1745
12500 Willowbrook Road SE
Cumberland, MD 21501-1745
(301) 777-5647
TTY-(301) 777-5662
E-mail: envhlth@hereintown.net