Accepted Materials Directory

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

Not Accepted

Accepted as Trash

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.
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.
Aluminum cans Place in single stream recycling container.
Aluminum foil and pie pans Must be clean and free of food residue. Place in single stream recycling container.
Aluminum scrap Place in scrap metal bin.
Antifreeze Place in designated container.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Automobiles and automobile parts Small parts only.
Bathtub (fiberglass)—not usable Must be cut in half.
Bathtub (metal)—not usable Place in scrap metal bin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brake Fluid Place in designated area. Do not place in oil container.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cardboard Place in single stream recycling container. Also accept milk cartons and juice boxes.
Carpet Rolled and tied; only small amounts accepted at CAF and WAF.
Christmas trees No bags, ornaments, lights, stands, etc. Trees delivered to CAF from mid-January through March may not be recycled.
Commercial materials Call BSWM at 410-887-2000 for more information. ESL takes most types of material for $100 per ton.
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.
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.
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.
Durable medical equipment Visit the Maryland Department of Aging for a list of acceptable items. Only accepted at CAF.
Earth—contaminated For more information, call EPS at 410-887-3745. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed.
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.
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.
Fence (metal) Rolled and tied; only small amounts accepted at CAF and WAF.
Fire extinguishers (empty, nozzleless) Place in scrap metal bin.
Fire extinguishers (not empty) Place in designated area.
Fireworks (used) Soak in water first; ensure material is still damp at the time of disposal.
Fluorescent bulbs Residential bulbs only, limit of 10 bulbs per visit.
Furniture See the Reuse Directory for donation information.
Garage doors (metal) Place in scrap metal bin.
Garage doors (wood) Maximum of six feet.
Gasoline Maximum of 25 gallons. Place in designated container.
Grass Accepted at ESL only. A Refuse Disposal Authorization may be needed for free residential disposal.
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.
Grills (charcoal and gas) Propane tanks must be removed from gas grill (see propane tanks for disposal information). Place in scrap metal bin.
Hangers (metal) Place in scrap metal bin. Many dry cleaners accept hangers for reuse.
Hot water heater Place in scrap metal bin.
Household hazardous waste Place in designated area at CAF.
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.
Kerosene Place in designated motor oil container.
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.
Lawnmowers Remove all liquids. For riding mowers, remove tires and gas tanks. Place in scrap metal bin.
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.
Lumber Size limit: eight inches by eight inches by six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces.
Mattresses and box-springs For donation information or to schedule a pick-up, contact Salvation Army at 1-800-728-7825.
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.
Mercury (liquid) Place in designated area at CAF.
Metal scrap Place in scrap metal bin.
Microwave ovens Place in scrap metal bin.
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.
Motorcycles and parts Try "junk" or "junk auto dealer" in the Yellow Pages.
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.
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.
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.
Oil (household cooking) Do not add to motor oil containers. Place in designated area at CAF.
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.
Oil filters (used) Place in designated container for recycling at ESL and CAF. Accepted with regular household trash at WAF.
Oil tanks Tanks must be empty. Punch six holes and cut in half. Clean with detergent. Place in scrap metal bin.
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.
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.
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.
Paper (mixed) Place in single stream recycling container. Also accept milk cartons and juice boxes.
Pesticides and herbicides Residential material only, no farms or businesses. Place in designated area at CAF.
Pianos See the Reuse Directory for donation information.
Pipe (metal) Size limit: six foot length. Place in scrap metal bin.
Pipe (PVC) See lumber regulations. Limit of six feet. Maximum of 12 pieces. For more information, call BSWM at 410-887-2000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Satellite dish (fiberglass)
Satellite dish (metal) Place in scrap metal bin.
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.
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.
Sinks (metal)—not usable Place in scrap metal bin.
Sinks (porcelain)—not usable
Smoke and fire detectors These items have very low radiation levels so they may be disposed of as trash.
Steel cans Place in single stream recycling container.
Styrofoam (polystyrene) Many packaging service stores accept expanded polystyrene foam peanuts for reuse.
Textiles See the Reuse Directory for donation information. EPS also reuses old clothing as cleaning rags, call 410-887-3745.
Thermometers and thermostats Mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats are accepted for 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.
Toilets—not usable
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.
Trash
Tree stumps Must be less than 12 inches high and 36 inches across.
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.
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.
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.