Charles County Government's Household Hazardous Waste Program
What is HHW?
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes household items that are toxic,
flammable, corrosive, or reactive. Improper disposal of HHW can contaminate ground and surface waters, posing a direct threat to human health and the environment.

FREE to Charles County Residents
HHW events are year round!

Collections are held the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Department of Public Works (10430 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD).
Did you know?
  • One gallon of motor oil can contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of fresh water.
  • Screens on older television sets can contain up to 10 pounds of lead.
  • Medications should not be flushed down the drain. Most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment processes or septic systems. Chemicals from dissolved medications end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies.
 
NOT Accepted at HHW Collection:
The following list of hazardous waste items are NOT accepted at HHW collection events and recycling centers:
  • Ammunition: Contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222.
  • Asbestos-Containing Materials: Friable asbestos is prohibited from collection and drop-off services in Charles County. Friable, or loose, asbestos should only be removed and disposed of by a trained contractor. Contact the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) at 410-537-3200. Non-friable  asbestos incorporated into materials such as asbestos-containing floor tiles, shingles, and siding may be included in your regular household trash. Separate your non-friable asbestos products into trash bags, double-bagging the material.
  • Bio/Medical Wastes: Sharps, needles, body fluids.
  • Commercially Generated: Commercially generated hazardous waste is strictly prohibited.
  • Explosives, Fireworks, and Projectile Flares: Contact the State Fire Marshal at 410-859-7152.
  • Latex Paint Latex: Paint is not toxic, and once solidified, it can be disposed of in your household trash.
  • Medications: Prescription and non-prescription drugs can be dropped off at a participating "Drug Take Back" pharmacy. The Charles County Sheriff's La Plata and Waldorf Stations accept narcotics 24 hours a day and the Charles County Sheriff's Bryans Road Station by appointment only. Liquids or syringes are not be accepted. 
 
Can it be Recycled?
Many items that are not eligible for HHW collection can be recycled at one of the county's four recycling centers. The list of acceptable materials for each recycling center is listed below.
Monday-Saturday: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Charles County Landfill Recycling Center
12305 Billingsley Road, Waldorf

Pisgah Recycling Center
6645 Mason Springs Road, Pisgah

Wednesday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. & Saturday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Breeze Farm Recycling Center 15950 Cobb Island Road, Cobb Island

Gilbert Run Park Recycling Center 13140 Charles Street, Charlotte Hall

  • Antifreeze, Motor Oil, and Motor Oil Filters 
  • Batteries (automobile, cell, and household)
  • Clothing, Textiles, and Shoes
  • Compressed Gas Tanks - propane, helium, and oxygen tanks
  • Cooking Oil
  • Electronics - If it has an electrical cord or runs off of batteries, we'll take it!
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Oyster Shells
  • Rigid Plastics 
  • Scrap Tires (Limit two residential tires per visit)
  • Scrap Metal (Appliances, bicycles, lawn mowers, and metal furniture)
  • Single Stream Recyclables: Paper, Cardboard, Glass Jars and Bottles, Plastic Bottles, Wide-Mouth Plastic Containers, Milk and Juice Cartons, Aluminum Cans, Tin and Steel Cans, Foil, Magazines and Catalogs, Paper and Hardback Books
  • Tag-A-Bag (household trash) - Residents must purchase tickets in advance to dispose of a 32 gallon bag or container 
  • Yard Waste and Christmas Trees (limit 10 paper yard waste bags)
Monday-Saturday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Piney Church Road Mulch Facility  5370 Piney Church Road, Waldorf
  • Yard Waste and Christmas Trees (bulk loads, trailers, 10+ bags) 
About Charles County Government
The mission of Charles County Government is to provide our citizens the highest quality service possible in a timely, efficient and courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our government must be operated in an open and accessible atmosphere, be based on comprehensive long- and short-term planning and have an appropriate managerial organization tempered by fiscal responsibility. We support and encourage efforts to grow a diverse workplace. Charles County is a place where all people thrive and businesses grow and prosper; where the preservation of our heritage and environment is paramount; where government services to its citizens are provided at the highest level of excellence; and where the quality of life is the best in the nation.
 
It is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.  
GET CONNECTED TO CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT