Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is the discarded, unused or leftover portion of household products containing toxic chemicals. Hazardous chemicals can usually be identified by labels such as:
- Caution
- Corrosive
- Explosive (not accepted at HHW events)
- Flammable
- Poisonous
- Reactive
- Toxic
- Warning
Due to its chemical nature, improper disposal of household hazardous waste poses a threat to human health as well as that to the environment, where it may enter the municipal waste stream and cause environmental problems such as ground-water contamination, injuries to waste management workers, and damage to equipment and property.
To provide options for the disposal of hazardous waste, Montgomery County operates a collection event program 6-7 times per year. To find out more information about this collection program, please go to the Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste page.
RECOMMENDED FOR SAFE DISPOSAL -
Residents may drop off up to 10 fluorescent bulbs at any Household Hazardous Waste collection. More than 10 bulbs will be considered a business and not accepted.
Road flares may be brought to a County Household Hazardous Waste collection for proper disposal. See Marine flares.
Electric oil filled heaters may be brought to a County Household Hazardous Waste collection. The oil contained within the heater will be properly drained.
Kerosene may be brought to a County Household Hazardous Waste collection. The kerosene heaters are not hazardous and should be drained before disposing of them. For the disposal of a kerosene heater see Metal & Scrap.