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This directory identifies materials that can be taken to Baltimore County's three resident drop-off facilities. For more information, please call the Bureau of Solid Waste Management (BSWM) customer service line at 410-887-2000, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Before recycling or throwing out reusable materials, please consider donating them.

The Baltimore County Reuse Directory lists local organizations that accept a wide range of materials.

Important Information and Guidelines

Please note that all materials are accepted year-round unless otherwise noted.

Key

  Accepted as Recycling

  Accepted as Trash

  Not Accepted

  Available for Pick-Up

Material

Eastern Sanitary Landfill (ESL)

Central Acceptance Facility (CAF)

Western Acceptance Facility (WAF)

Acid, chemicals, solvents
Place in designated area at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Aerosol cans
Place in single stream recycling container. Empty cans only. Do not recycle pesticide cans or spray paint cans, even if empty. See pesticides and herbicides.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Aluminum scrap
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Aluminum cans
Place in single stream recycling container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Aluminum foil and pie pans
Must be clean and free of food residue. Place in single stream recycling container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Antifreeze
Place in designated container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Appliances and white goods
See the Reuse Directory for donation information. BGE accepts working refrigerators and freezers. Contact BGE at 866-898-1901 to schedule a pick-up.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Asbestos—non-friable
For more information, call Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) at 410-887-3745. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For alternate acceptance, contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500, or Days Cove Rubble Landfill at 410-335-3778.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Asbestos shingles
Small quantities only; must be double bagged or in box with tight lid; place in designated container. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. Call EPS at 410-887-3745 if commercial material.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Asphalt
A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For alternate acceptance, contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500, or Days Cove Rubble Landfill at 410-335-3778.

 This material is accepted as trash  This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Automobiles and automobile parts
Small parts only.

 This material is not accepted 

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Bathtub (fiberglass)—not usable
Must be cut in half.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Bathtub (metal)—not usable
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Batteries (lead-acid, auto, boat)
Place in designated area. Do not place in household trash or single stream recycling; improper battery disposal can lead to fires.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Batteries (non-rechargeable, alkaline)
These battery types have very low toxicity levels so they may be disposed of as trash. To recycle, contact Cirba Solutions.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Batteries (rechargeable household and tool)
All lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, and nickel-cadmium battery types are accepted (electric vehicle batteries included). Place in designated area. Various home improvement stores, such as Home Depot, also accept these batteries. Do not place in household trash or single stream recycling; improper battery disposal can lead to fires.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Boats
Must be broken down into six foot pieces for free disposal. If intact, must be 30 feet or less (gas tanks and metal must be removed)—$60 minimum charge, $120 per ton. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Brake Fluid
Place in designated area. Do not place in oil container.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Branches
Size limit: eight inches by six feet. CAF recycles March to December 15; no limit as long as residential material in noncommercial vehicle. If commercial material, $100 per ton at ESL. No commercial material at CAF or WAF.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Brick, block, rubble
A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For alternate acceptance, contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500, or Days Cove Rubble Landfill at 410-335-3778.

 This material is accepted as trash  This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Brush
Size limit: eight inches by six feet. CAF recycles March to December 15; no limit as long as residential material in noncommercial vehicle. If commercial material, $100 per ton at ESL. No commercial material at CAF and WAF. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Building materials—not usable
Call BSWM at 410-887-2000 for more information, including limits on quantities at CAF and WAF. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Campers
$60 minimum charge, $120 per ton if not broken into six foot lengths (no wheels, remove propane tanks and metal). A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Caps (pickup)
$60 minimum charge, $120 per ton if not broken into six foot lengths (remove metal). A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Cardboard
Place in single stream recycling container. Also accept milk cartons and juice boxes.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Carpet
Rolled and tied; only small amounts accepted at CAF and WAF.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Christmas trees
No bags, ornaments, lights, stands, etc. Trees delivered to CAF from mid-January through March may not be recycled.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Commercial materials
Call BSWM at 410-887-2000 for more information. ESL takes most types of material for $100 per ton.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Concrete and rubble
Three-quarter ton maximum. Free for residents. No steel reinforcements, mesh or bars. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Construction debris
Only small quantities accepted. Accepted at a cost of $100 per ton. A Refuse Disposal Authorization is needed for free residential disposal. For more information, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Diesel fuel
Maximum of 25 gallons; no 55 gallon drums. Place in designated motor oil container. For large quantities, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Durable medical equipment
Visit the Maryland Department of Aging for a list of acceptable items. Only accepted at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Earth—uncontaminated
Free for residents, three-quarter ton maximum. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. Commercial based on need. Must be uncontaminated and dry. Contact Jim Dawson at jdawson@baltimorecountymd.gov or 410-887-4953 for more information.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Earth—contaminated
For more information, call EPS at 410-887-3745. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Electronics—PCs, VCRs, Phones, TVs and Monitors
Residential electronics only. See the Reuse Directory for other options. Accepted for recycling by some manufacturers and retail stores.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Fence (metal)
Rolled and tied; only small amounts accepted at CAF and WAF.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Fire extinguishers (not empty)
Place in designated area.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Fire extinguishers (empty, nozzleless)
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Fireworks (used)
Soak in water first; ensure material is still damp at the time of disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Fluorescent bulbs
Residential bulbs only, limit of 10 bulbs per visit.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Furniture
See the Reuse Directory for donation information.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Garage doors (metal)
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Garage doors (wood)
Maximum of six feet.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Gasoline
Maximum of 25 gallons. Place in designated container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Grass
Accepted at ESL only. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Gravel
Must be clean and free of dirt. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For more information, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Grills (charcoal and gas)
Propane tanks must be removed from gas grill (see propane tanks for disposal information). Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Hangers (metal)
Place in scrap metal bin. Many dry cleaners accept hangers for reuse.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Hot water heater
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Household hazardous waste
Place in designated area at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

  
This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Hydraulic fluid
Maximum of 25 gallons; no 55 gallon drums. Place in designated motor oil container. For large quantities, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Kerosene
Place in designated motor oil container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Land clearing waste
Commercial loads accepted at a cost of $100 per ton. Size restrictions apply. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For more information, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Lawnmowers
Remove all liquids. For riding mowers, remove tires and gas tanks. Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Leaves
No limit as long as residential material is in a noncommercial vehicle. For acceptance at CAF, leaves must be out of bags. CAF recycles March to December 15. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Lumber
Size limit: eight inches by eight inches by six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Mattresses and box-springs
For donation information or to schedule a pick-up, contact Salvation Army at 1-800-728-7825.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Medicine
Collection containers are located at Baltimore County Police stations. For small quantities, mix with cat litter or coffee grounds and place in a sealed container for curbside trash collection.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Mercury (liquid)
Place in designated area at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Metal scrap
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Microwave ovens
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Mobile homes
Accepted at ESL for a cost of $120 per ton, by appointment. Must be stripped of tires, appliances, propane tanks and metal. For alternate acceptance, contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Motorcycles and parts
Try "junk" or "junk auto dealer" in the Yellow Pages.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Mulch
If available, residents can pick up for free, but must self-load. For availability, call BSWM at 410-887-2000. Must request mulch in person at ESL.

 This material is available for pick-up

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Needles and sharps
Place in heavy plastic or metal container with lid for curbside collection. Check Safe Needle Disposal for alternative disposal and take-back program options.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Oil (heating)
Maximum of 25 gallons; no 55 gallon drums. Place in designated motor oil container. For quantities larger than 25 gallons, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Oil (household cooking)
Do not add to motor oil containers. Place in designated area at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Oil (motor)
Maximum of 25 gallons; no 55 gallon drums. Place in designated motor oil container. For quantities larger than 25 gallons, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Oil filters (used)
Place in designated container for recycling at ESL and CAF. Accepted with regular household trash at WAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Oil tanks
Tanks must be empty. Punch six holes and cut in half. Clean with detergent. Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Paint (latex) and paint balls
Place in designated area at CAF. Maximum of 20 gallons per visit. Residential material only. For small quantities, dry out and dispose of with curbside trash collection.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Paint (oil)
Place in designated area at CAF. Maximum of 20 gallons per visit. Residential material only. For small quantities, dry out and dispose of with curbside trash collection.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Pallets
See lumber regulations. No commercial pallets. Acceptable if resident has one or two pallets broken apart. For alternate acceptance, contact Frank's Pallet Service at 410-631-7199, or Pallet Masters at 410-488-5500.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Paper (mixed)
Place in single stream recycling container. Also accept milk cartons and juice boxes.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Pesticides and herbicides
Residential material only, no farms or businesses. Place in designated area at CAF.

 This material is not accepted

 This material is accepted as trash This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is not accepted

Pianos
See the Reuse Directory for donation information.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Pipe (metal)
Size limit: six foot length. Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Pipe (PVC)
See lumber regulations. Limit of six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces. For more information, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Plastic
Accept narrow neck (including caps) and wide mouth containers. Also accept rigid plastics such as buckets, drinking cups, flower pots, lawn chairs, signs (remove all metal, wood, frames and posts) and toys. Place in single stream recycling container. No plastic bags or styrofoam.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Propane tanks
Empty tank and remove valve. Maximum accepted 20 pound tank (includes one- and two-pound tanks). Place in designated container. For other types of compressed gas tanks such as helium and oxygen, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as trash

Railroad ties
Small quantities accepted. Size limit: 8 inches by 8 inches by 6 feet. Not accepted from commercial operations. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For alternate acceptance, Contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500, or Days Cove Rubble Landfill at 410-335-3778.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Sand
Free for residents, three quarter ton maximum. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. For free commercial acceptance (based on need), contact Jim Dawson at jdawson@baltimorecountymd.gov or 410-887-4953.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Satellite dish (fiberglass)

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Satellite dish (metal)
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Shingles and siding
Contact Honeygo Run Reclamation Center at 410-335-9500, or Days Cove Rubble Landfill at 410-335-3778. ESL will take for $100 per ton. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal. No more than two cubic yards.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Shrubs and trimmings
No limit for residents. CAF recycles March to December 15. If commercial material, the cost is $100 per ton at ESL. No commercial material accepted at CAF and WAF. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as recycling

  This material is accepted as recycling

  This material is accepted as trash This material is accepted as recycling

Sinks (metal)—not usable
Place in scrap metal bin.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Sinks (porcelain)—not usable

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Smoke and fire detectors
These items have very low radiation levels so they may be disposed of as trash.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Steel cans
Place in single stream recycling container.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Styrofoam (polystyrene)
Many packaging service stores accept expanded polystyrene foam peanuts for reuse.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Textiles
See the Reuse Directory for donation information. EPS also reuses old clothing as cleaning rags, call 410-887-3745.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Thermometers and thermostats
Mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats are accepted for recycling.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Tires
Up to four clean tires (passenger size only), no racing slicks. Regulations require tires to be off rims (current vendor will accept tires on rims). For truck tires and large quantities of all types of tires, contact Emanuel Tire Company or Auston Contracting.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Toilets—not usable

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Transmission fluid
Maximum of 25 gallons; no 55 gallon drums. Places in designated motor oil container. For quantities larger than 25 gallons, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as recycling

Trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Tree stumps
Must be less than 12 inches high and 36 inches across.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is not accepted

 This material is not accepted

Trees and tree limbs
Size limit: eight inch diameter by six foot length. CAF recycles March to December 15. If commercial material, the cost is $100 per ton at ESL. No commercial material accepted at CAF and WAF. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash  This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as trash  This material is accepted as recycling

 This material is accepted as trash  This material is accepted as recycling

Wood (untreated)
Size limit: eight inches by eight inches by six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Wood (treated)
Size limit: eight inches by eight inches by six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

 This material is accepted as trash

Explore Solid Waste Management

 

Contact Us

Bureau of Solid Waste Management

111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 211
Towson, Maryland 21204

Hours:

Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone:

BALTCOGO311

Bureau Chief:

Nicholas Rodricks

 

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