Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off

The Bureau of Waste Management Services organizes several events throughout the year to drop-off hazardous chemicals that are not ordinarily accepted at the curb or at our recycling centers or landfill. This program is for Anne Arundel County residents ONLY. Commercially registered vehicles, including rentals, and commercial waste are not accepted.  

Program Schedule

  • Drop-off hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (at all Saturday dates and location listed below).
  • Program for Anne Arundel County Residents only.
  • Commercially registered vehicles, including rentals, and commercial waste are not accepted.
  • For questions and comments on household hazardous waste drop-off days call (410) 222-7951.
  • Be prepared to show an Anne Arundel County driver's license and registration. 

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event schedule for 2024. All events are held on select saturdays during the year. 

 

Date

Location

03/23/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)
04/27/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)
05/18/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)
06/15/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)
09/14/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)
10/12/24Heritage Office Complex (2662 Riva Road; Annapolis, MD 21401)

For information regarding alternative HHW disposal options please visit https://www.aacounty.org/public-works/waste-management/recycling-information/non-county-recycling-outlets


During the events, trained personnel will ask you to remain in your car while they unload the HHW from your trunk. To make unloading safe for staff and fast for you: Tightly secure all container lids to avoid leaks and spills then set your HHW in boxes or plastic totes to contain accidental spills during transport. Due to the ongoing pandemic, plastic totes are not guaranteed to be returned to customers.

  • Call 410-222-7951 before an event if you have any drums of material. Drums will not be returned.
  • Transfer large amounts of fuel into travel-safe gas cans so staff can empty them and return them back to the owner for reuse.
  • Keep materials in their original packaging, when possible, and label any material that had to be packed in alternative containers. Never mix different types of HHW in one container.
  • Secure your material in your vehicle’s trunk, backseat or truck bed, to keep it safely away from passengers during transport.
  • Make sure items can be easily accessed. Never cover or block your materials under other items like trash or yard waste.

A wide variety of material is accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events including:

  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Oil-based paints
    Note: Latex paint is accepted at all Recycling Centers year-round
  • Staining agents
  • Paint solvents
  • Pesticides
  • Fertilizer
  • Household and automotive cleaners
  • At-home photo developing chemicals
  • Motor oil (mixed with water, fuel or any other product)
    Note: Motor oil that is not mixed is accepted for recycling at all Recycling Centers year-round
  • Antifreeze (mixed with fuel or any other fluid)
    Note: Antifreeze that is not mixed is accepted for recycling at all Recycling Centers year-round
  • Pool chemicals
  • Gasoline, Kerosene and other fuels
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Mercury thermostats Click here to find the nearest Thermostat Recycling Corp. collection point
  • Fluorescent lights (tubes & bulbs) (See Special Note )
  • Mercury vapor lamps
  • Asbestos (small quantities accepted, limit 4 bags per resident per event and cannot be over 40 lbs. Maximum accepted 160 lbs. per event). Must be wetted and double bagged.
  • Freon and other refrigerants (small aerosol cans only - 18 ounces or less)
  • Flares (paper covered roadside flares ONLY) 
    Please Note: Aerial/Parachute flares and Smoke/Marine flares are not accepted.
Flare types accepted and not accepted

 

Aerial flares, parachute flares, and marine/smoke flares (encased in plastic) are only accepted by the fire investigation section of the County Fire Marshal's Office. Call 410-222-7884 for details. 

View List of Materials Accepted

The following items are not accepted at Household Waste Drop-off events:

  • Non-Rechargeable Batteries
  • Latex Paint
  • Motor Oil 
  • Antifreeze 
  • Propane Tanks 

This is not a complete list of materials that are not accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off events. View complete list here.

Please Note: These materials are accepted daily at all County Recycling Centers. Visit Call2Recycle.org for battery recycling options.

About Hazardous Chemicals

Unless used and disposed of according to directions, household chemicals present a threat to the environment. Special handling is required to dispose of them properly. Materials collected are recycled or disposed in hazardous waste landfills or incinerators. A licensed private company under contract to the County provides these services.
 
New disposal chambers at the Millersville landfill, called "cells", are not only double-lined, but include a system that collects any liquids (leachate) which pass through the trash. This liquid still must be removed, treated, and disposed of at a County water reclamation facility. Despite advances in landfill management that minimize environmental risk, it is still important that the waste stream be rid of wastes that are hazardous.
 
You can help reduce the cost of this program by:
  • Avoid purchasing hazardous household materials
  • Using up what you buy
  • Giving away what you cannot use
  • Using safer alternatives

 

Safer Alternatives

Stop Using Hazardous Products in Your Home. Use Safer Alternatives Instead!
Cleaning useAlternative
Ammonia-based cleanersVinegar, salt and water mixture for surface cleaning. Baking soda and water for the bathroom.
Abrasive cleanersRub area with one-half lemon dipped in borax, then rinse.
Floor or furniture polish1 part lemon juice, 2 parts olive or vegetable oil.
Silver polishesSoak in boiling water with baking soda, salt, a piece of aluminum.
Toilet cleanersBaking soda, toilet brush.
DisinfectantsOne-half cup borax in 1 gallon water.
Drain cleanersPlunger; flush with boiling water, one-quarter cup baking soda, one-quarter cup vinegar.
Rug/upholstery cleanersDry cornstarch sprinkled on, then vacuumed.
Water softenerOne-quarter cup vinegar in final rinse.
Oil stainsWhite chalk rubbed into stain before laundering.
Glass cleanerWhite vinegar and water or rubbing alcohol and water.
Copper cleanerPaste of lemon juice, salt and flour or, rub on tomato paste, rinse off and buff.
Abrasive cleanersBaking soda
Stainless steel polishBaking soda or mineral oil for shining, vinegar to remove spots.
Stain RemoverVinegar
Mildew removerLemon juice and salt or white vinegar and salt.

Natural Cleaning Products Shopping List

VinegarSaltLemons
Baking SodaBoraxWhite Chalk
Aluminum FoilFlourLemon Juice
CornstarchRubbing AlcoholVegetable Oil
Olive OilTomato Paste
 
More information on Safer Alternatives: