You can help reduce the risk of trash fires!

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett held an event today to increase awareness of the importance of the safe disposal of household waste materials that could become a fire hazard when discarded in the trash.

“It is important for residents to know what is not safe to throw in the trash, and it is equally as important for residents to know how to safely discard items – especially when they may pose a fire risk,” said Leggett. “We want our residents and businesses to take advantage of all of the services available at our Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station to ensure waste is discarded as safely and environmentally responsible as possible.”

Careful attention should be given to ensure that items are safe to be placed in the trash.  The following items SHOULD NOT go in the trash:

• flammable or combustible liquids (such as gasoline, oil-based paints, or kerosene);
• hazardous materials (including items such as ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, etc.);
• canisters containing propellants (like butane or propane);
• rechargeable batteries (which contain heavy metals, including lithium, nickel cadmium, or lead-acid)
• cylinders containing compressed gas (such as propane, helium, oxygen, acetylene, or fire extinguishers);
• ash (from fireplaces, fire pits, or barbeque grills); or
• any unknown substances

When certain liquids or gases mix, there is a risk they could become a fire or explosion hazard. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection program provides an appropriate way for residents to discard many volatile items. The Household Hazardous Waste program is open to all County residents.

County Executive and DEP Director at the Shady Grove Processing Center and Transfer Station

Where do I take my household hazardous waste?

The HHW drop-off is located in the Recycling Area of the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood. Use the Route 355 / Frederick Road entrance to the facility. Drop-off for residents is open during the Transfer Station’s hours of operation. Small businesses must bring material only during our ECOWISE program hours.

Learn more about the household hazardous waste program.

“We ask everyone to be mindful and careful about what they put into their trash to help keep fires out of resident trash cans, dumpsters, trash trucks, or facilities such as the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station,” said Director of the Department of Environmental Protection Lisa Feldt. “Instead of putting these items in the trash, we encourage residents to take advantage of our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, and all of the collection services available at our Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station.”

For more information, call 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311, or visit the Solid Waste website at montgomerycountymd.gov/sws