Where do I take household hazardous waste in Montgomery County, MD?

Montgomery County residents with home-generated hazardous waste: Household Hazardous Waste compound in the Recycling Area of the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station (blue chain-link fence, large roof). Enter from Route 355 / Frederick Road and follow Recycling signs. Proof of residency required. No extra resident HHW fee. Open during Transfer Station hours of operation (facility clock: Mon–Sat 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Commercial and Truck entrance only). Confirm the morning you go.

Do I need to call ahead for HHW at Shady Grove?

If you have over 15 gallons of liquid or 75 pounds of solid wastes, call 311 (or 240-777-0311) to arrange a drop-off before you go. Whether that threshold is per visit or per month: not stated on the How Do I page. Smaller loads: How Do I does not require a call-ahead.

What is ECOWISE vs resident HHW?

Resident HHW is for Montgomery County residents with home-generated waste, no extra HHW charge. ECOWISE is the fee-based program for Montgomery County businesses / Small Quantity Generators (under 220 lb hazardous waste per calendar month and under 2.2 lb acute hazardous waste per month). ECOWISE hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m. at the same HHW compound. No appointment. Register first. Pay per pound (credit card or business check to Clean Harbors; no cash). For chemicals not listed and price-per-pound questions: 240-777-6587.

Does Poolesville Beauty Spot take household hazardous waste?

No. Poolesville Beauty Spot (19200 Jerusalem Road, Saturdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.) accepts bulk trash up to 499 lb for residents only. It does not accept household hazardous waste, scrap metal, yard trim, mixed paper/cardboard, or commingled recycling.

Does Montgomery County HHW take TVs, computers, or propane tanks?

No. The HHW How Do I refuse list includes televisions; computers and related electronics; and compressed gas cylinders (examples: acetylene, carbon dioxide, oxygen, propane tanks). Use the electronics pad or the propane upper-lot attendant on the same campus — different programs, not the HHW compound.

Does HHW accept medical sharps or syringes?

No. HHW How Do I: medical sharps and syringes are not accepted at the HHW drop-off. See the official county medical sharps and syringes How Do I page. This unofficial lookup does not give medical disposal instructions.

Who takes household hazardous waste in Montgomery County, MD (unofficial)

Hours, fees, and gates change. Confirm on the official page the morning you go. This page is unofficial and not the county. Not a hauler. Holiday names and holiday clock hours: not stated. Sunday gate for HHW: HHW pages say Frederick Road; facility/hours pages close 16101 on Sunday — unreconciled. This page does not pick a winner.

Which kind is it?

Home-generated chemicals from a Montgomery County residence (pesticides, solvents, oil-based paint, pool chemicals, batteries, etc.)?

HHW compound · Recycling Area

Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. Enter from Route 355 / Frederick Road; stay right for “Recycling”; blue chain-link compound with a large roof at the top of the hill. Residents, home-generated only. Proof of residency. No extra resident HHW fee. Open during Transfer Station hours of operation. Facility clock: Mon–Sat 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.–5 p.m. commercial entrance only.
Over 15 gallons of liquid or 75 pounds of solid HHW?

Call 311 before you go

How Do I: call Recycling and Resource Management at 311 (or 240-777-0311) to arrange a drop-off. Whether 15 gal / 75 lb is per visit or per month: not stated. Do not invent a monthly cap here.
Business / contractor / Small Quantity Generator (looks commercial)?

ECOWISE · fee · Mon–Fri 8–12

Not free resident HHW. ECOWISE for Montgomery County businesses generating under 220 lb hazardous waste per calendar month and under 2.2 lb acute hazardous waste per month. Same HHW compound. Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–12 p.m. No appointment. Register first. Pay per pound (credit card or business check to Clean Harbors; no cash). Credit-card surcharge not to exceed 3%. Pricing questions: 240-777-6587. Paint contractors (or people believed to be contractors): also paid paint disposal Wednesday 1–5 p.m. (HHW facility page) — that is paint-contractor language, not a second full ECOWISE window.
Over 220 lb hazardous waste / month, or acute hazardous waste over 2.2 lb / month?

Not ECOWISE · call 311

ECOWISE is not open to generators above those SQG limits. Where those loads go: not stated on the ECOWISE page. Call 311 (or 240-777-0311). Do not invent a destination.
TV, computer, or related electronics?

Electronics pad · not HHW

HHW refuse list: televisions; computers and related electronics. Same campus, different pad (Recycling Area electronics). See the electronics draft on this site — not this compound.
Propane, oxygen, CO₂, acetylene, or other compressed gas cylinder?

Upper lot · not HHW

HHW refuse list: compressed gas cylinders. Hand tanks to an attendant on the upper lot near electronics (tires/propane page). Prefer return-to-vendor when you can.
Medical sharps, syringes, or medications?

Not HHW · see official county page

HHW How Do I: medical sharps and syringes are not accepted; commercial, industrial, or medical wastes are refused. This unofficial lookup does not give medical or medication disposal advice. Use the official county How Do I pages for sharps and for medicine collection sites — linked under Official sources.
Ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, bulk asbestos, or shock-sensitive materials?

Not HHW

HHW refuse list includes ammunition; asbestos; explosives; kepones; shock-sensitive materials; radioactive materials. For radioactive materials the How Do I page points to Maryland Department of the Environment, Office of Radiological Health, 410-537-3193. Note: drywall mud or tile mastic containing asbestos is listed as accepted HHW; bulk asbestos is refused — cite How Do I, do not invent a bulk path.
Thinking Poolesville Beauty Spot for chemicals?

Wrong path · bulk trash only

Beauty Spot (19200 Jerusalem Road, Poolesville) is Saturdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m., residents, bulk trash up to 499 lb, no charge. It does not accept household hazardous waste. Bring chemicals to Shady Grove HHW instead.
Usable leftover paint or stain someone else could use?

Paint Giveaway · same compound

HHW facility page: usable paint and stain offered first-come, first-served at the Hazardous Waste Compound. Colors not guaranteed. Use at your own risk; recipients must sign a waiver. Details and latex vs oil rules: leftover-paint page on this site.

Where to go

Household Hazardous Waste compound · Recycling Area, Shady Grove

Hours

How Do I: open during the Transfer Station’s hours of operation

HHW facility page: open daily (resident drop-off)

Facility: 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Sat (both gates)

Facility: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday (Commercial and Truck entrance only)

HHW How Do I and ECOWISE say use the Frederick Road / Route 355 entrance. Facility/hours pages: Sunday and holidays close 16101 Frederick Road and send everyone to 16055 Shady Grove Road. Unreconciled on HHW pages. This page does not pick a winner. If the Transfer Station is closed for weather, holidays, or emergencies, HHW is also closed (ECOWISE page). Holiday names and holiday clock hours: not stated. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Call 240-777-0311 Map

or 311 · Sunday facility gate: 16055 Shady Grove Road (confirm the morning you go)

Household Hazardous Waste compound · Recycling Area, Shady Grove
Address	Household Hazardous Waste Compound (high blue chain-link fence, large roof), Recycling Area, Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. Enter from Route 355 / Frederick Road; stay right for “Recycling”; compound at top of hill. Posted address: 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855. Sunday facility entrance per hours page: 16055 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (unreconciled with HHW Frederick Road directions). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who	Montgomery County residents with home-generated hazardous waste. All patrons must provide proof of residency. Attendants can refuse commercial-looking loads (route those to ECOWISE). Out-of-county waste: not accepted. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take	Examples from How Do I (not exhaustive): acids; aerosol cans with remaining hazardous product (empty → trash); antifreeze (5 gal limit); batteries (alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, Ni-Cd, lead-acid vehicle, UPS, tool); brake fluid (5 gal limit); charcoal with flammable agents; CO detectors; dioxins; driveway sealant; drywall mud containing asbestos; gasoline / gas-oil mixes / flammable liquids / unwanted fuels; fertilizers; fluorescent tubes/bulbs (CFLs) and ballasts; herbicides; insecticides; mercury thermostats/thermometers; nail polish; paints (oil-based details on paint page; latex dry-at-home on paint page; spray cans with remaining paint — empty as trash); paint thinners/solvents; pesticides; photographic chemicals; road flares; smoke alarms; swimming pool chemicals; tar; tile mastic containing asbestos; used motor oil / most other oils / hydraulic fluids / kerosene (5 gal limit); unknowns (no identification). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee	Residents: no extra HHW charge (paint wet-cap rules stay on the leftover-paint page). Transfer-station trash fees are separate when you also haul trash. Payment for any facility fees: debit/credit incl. Amex; no cash or checks (hours/fees pages). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap	Call ahead if over 15 gallons liquid or 75 pounds solid. Antifreeze / brake fluid / motor oil / hydraulic / kerosene: 5 gallon limit each (How Do I). Battery count at HHW: no quantity limit stated on batteries How Do I (batteries page later). CFL/tubes quantity limit at resident HHW: not stated as a numeric cap on the HHW How Do I accept list. Per-visit vs per-month for 15 gal/75 lb: not stated. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone	311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked	2 Sep 2026
Source	HHW How Do I hazardous waste drop-off hours facility residency Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Address: Household Hazardous Waste Compound (high blue chain-link fence, large roof), Recycling Area, Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. Enter from Route 355 / Frederick Road; stay right for “Recycling”; compound at top of hill. Posted address: 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855. Sunday facility entrance per hours page: 16055 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (unreconciled with HHW Frederick Road directions). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who: Montgomery County residents with home-generated hazardous waste. All patrons must provide proof of residency. Attendants can refuse commercial-looking loads (route those to ECOWISE). Out-of-county waste: not accepted. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take: Examples from How Do I (not exhaustive): acids; aerosol cans with remaining hazardous product (empty → trash); antifreeze (5 gal limit); batteries (alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, Ni-Cd, lead-acid vehicle, UPS, tool); brake fluid (5 gal limit); charcoal with flammable agents; CO detectors; dioxins; driveway sealant; drywall mud containing asbestos; gasoline / gas-oil mixes / flammable liquids / unwanted fuels; fertilizers; fluorescent tubes/bulbs (CFLs) and ballasts; herbicides; insecticides; mercury thermostats/thermometers; nail polish; paints (oil-based details on paint page; latex dry-at-home on paint page; spray cans with remaining paint — empty as trash); paint thinners/solvents; pesticides; photographic chemicals; road flares; smoke alarms; swimming pool chemicals; tar; tile mastic containing asbestos; used motor oil / most other oils / hydraulic fluids / kerosene (5 gal limit); unknowns (no identification). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee: Residents: no extra HHW charge (paint wet-cap rules stay on the leftover-paint page). Transfer-station trash fees are separate when you also haul trash. Payment for any facility fees: debit/credit incl. Amex; no cash or checks (hours/fees pages). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap: Call ahead if over 15 gallons liquid or 75 pounds solid. Antifreeze / brake fluid / motor oil / hydraulic / kerosene: 5 gallon limit each (How Do I). Battery count at HHW: no quantity limit stated on batteries How Do I (batteries page later). CFL/tubes quantity limit at resident HHW: not stated as a numeric cap on the HHW How Do I accept list. Per-visit vs per-month for 15 gal/75 lb: not stated. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone: 311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked: 2 Sep 2026
Source: HHW How Do I hazardous waste drop-off hours facility residency Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

ECOWISE · fee-based business / SQG drop-off (same compound)

Hours

Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

No appointment

Same HHW compound. Enter via Frederick Road (MD-355). If the Transfer Station is closed due to weather, holidays, or emergencies, HHW/ECOWISE is also closed. Paint-contractor paid paint window Wednesday 1–5 p.m. is on the HHW facility page — not a second full ECOWISE schedule. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Call 240-777-6587 Map

Pricing / unlisted chemicals: 240-777-6587 · program questions: 311 or 240-777-0311

ECOWISE · fee-based business / SQG drop-off
Address	Same Household Hazardous Waste compound, Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855. Enter via Frederick Road (MD-355). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who	Montgomery County businesses / Small Quantity Generators generating less than 220 pounds (100 kg) of hazardous waste per calendar month and less than 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of acute hazardous waste per month. Registration is free. No minimum quantity. No contractual obligation. Businesses above those limits: not ECOWISE — destination not stated; call 311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take	Examples (ECOWISE page): acids; bases; alkaline/button, gel, lithium, Ni-Cd, lead-acid batteries; fluorescent bulbs; pourable fuels; gasoline / gas-oil mixes / flammable liquids; heavy metals; herbicides; hydraulic fluid; mercury products; oil-based paints; latex paint (accepted, not HW); oxidizers; PCB ballasts; pesticides; photographic chemicals; reactives; solvents (pourable and non-pourable). They will pour off old gas and return the can if requested. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee	Per-pound schedule (includes container weight), weighed at collection. Examples posted: acids/bases $2.60/lb; alkaline/button batteries $0.63/lb; lithium batteries $6.97/lb; Ni-Cd $2.37/lb; CFL $4.25/lb; pourable fuels $1.14/lb; mercury products $16.66/lb; latex paint $0.92/lb; oil-based paint $1.48/lb; pesticides $2.60/lb; fluorescent tubes $1.17 (4-ft) / $2.34 (8-ft) per bulb. Credit card or business check to Clean Harbors Environmental Services. No cash. Credit-card surcharge not to exceed 3%. Unlisted chemicals / price questions: 240-777-6587. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap	Cannot bring more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste to the ECOWISE program per the posted SQG rule. Acute: under 2.2 lb/month to qualify. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone	Pricing: 240-777-6587. General: 311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked	2 Sep 2026
Source	ECOWISE hazardous waste drop-off HHW How Do I Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Address: Same Household Hazardous Waste compound, Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855. Enter via Frederick Road (MD-355). Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who: Montgomery County businesses / Small Quantity Generators generating less than 220 pounds (100 kg) of hazardous waste per calendar month and less than 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of acute hazardous waste per month. Registration is free. No minimum quantity. No contractual obligation. Businesses above those limits: not ECOWISE — destination not stated; call 311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take: Examples (ECOWISE page): acids; bases; alkaline/button, gel, lithium, Ni-Cd, lead-acid batteries; fluorescent bulbs; pourable fuels; gasoline / gas-oil mixes / flammable liquids; heavy metals; herbicides; hydraulic fluid; mercury products; oil-based paints; latex paint (accepted, not HW); oxidizers; PCB ballasts; pesticides; photographic chemicals; reactives; solvents (pourable and non-pourable). They will pour off old gas and return the can if requested. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee: Per-pound schedule (includes container weight), weighed at collection. Examples posted: acids/bases $2.60/lb; alkaline/button batteries $0.63/lb; lithium batteries $6.97/lb; Ni-Cd $2.37/lb; CFL $4.25/lb; pourable fuels $1.14/lb; mercury products $16.66/lb; latex paint $0.92/lb; oil-based paint $1.48/lb; pesticides $2.60/lb; fluorescent tubes $1.17 (4-ft) / $2.34 (8-ft) per bulb. Credit card or business check to Clean Harbors Environmental Services. No cash. Credit-card surcharge not to exceed 3%. Unlisted chemicals / price questions: 240-777-6587. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap: Cannot bring more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste to the ECOWISE program per the posted SQG rule. Acute: under 2.2 lb/month to qualify. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone: Pricing: 240-777-6587. General: 311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked: 2 Sep 2026
Source: ECOWISE hazardous waste drop-off HHW How Do I Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Poolesville Beauty Spot · bulk trash only (not HHW)

Hours

Saturdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Other days: not stated

Not a hazardous-waste site. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Call 240-777-0311 Map

or 311

Poolesville Beauty Spot · bulk trash only
Address	Poolesville Highway Maintenance Depot, 19200 Jerusalem Road, Poolesville, MD 20837. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who	Montgomery County residents only. Proof of residency. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take	Bulk trash loads up to 499 lb. Does not accept: household hazardous waste; commercial waste; regular household trash; scrap metal; yard trim; mixed paper and cardboard; commingled recycling. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee	Loads of bulk trash under 500 lb / up to 499 lb: no charge. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap	Up to 499 lb bulk trash. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone	311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked	2 Sep 2026
Source	Poolesville Beauty Spot hours Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Address: Poolesville Highway Maintenance Depot, 19200 Jerusalem Road, Poolesville, MD 20837. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Who: Montgomery County residents only. Proof of residency. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
What they take: Bulk trash loads up to 499 lb. Does not accept: household hazardous waste; commercial waste; regular household trash; scrap metal; yard trim; mixed paper and cardboard; commingled recycling. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Fee: Loads of bulk trash under 500 lb / up to 499 lb: no charge. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Cap: Up to 499 lb bulk trash. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Phone: 311 or 240-777-0311. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.
Last-checked: 2 Sep 2026
Source: Poolesville Beauty Spot hours Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Sunday gate unreconciled: HHW How Do I and ECOWISE direct you to Frederick Road / 16101; facility and hours pages close that gate on Sundays/holidays and send traffic to 16055 Shady Grove Road. This page does not pick a winner. Confirm the morning you go. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Paint wet-cap (5 gal/month at HHW) and latex dry-at-home rules stay on the leftover-paint page. This page is the compound rules, call-ahead, ECOWISE vs resident, and refuse list that routes TVs/propane/sharps elsewhere. Last-checked 2 Sep 2026.

Bring this

Proof of residency: Maryland driver’s license or MD photo ID with a Montgomery County address; a current utility bill with a physical MoCo address and your name; or a mortgage statement / lease in your name for a physical MoCo address. Out-of-county plates still need one of those. Proof of County Residency.
If over 15 gallons liquid or 75 pounds solid: call 311 (or 240-777-0311) to arrange drop-off before you leave home.
Containers labeled when you can; unknowns (no identification) are listed as accepted on How Do I — still keep them sealed and upright.
Business / SQG: ECOWISE registration packet completed first; payment ready (credit card or business check to Clean Harbors — no cash).
Covered load if you self-haul (hours page). PPE (high-vis vest, hard hat, closed-toe shoes) is required on the main tipping floor; HHW is the Recycling Area compound, not the tipping floor.

Not here

Televisions; computers and related electronics (electronics pad — not HHW).
Compressed gas cylinders: acetylene, carbon dioxide, oxygen, propane tanks (upper-lot attendant — not HHW).
Medical sharps and syringes; commercial, industrial, or medical wastes (see official county How Do I — this page does not give medical disposal advice).
Ammunition; explosives; kepones; shock-sensitive materials; radioactive materials (radioactive: MDE Office of Radiological Health 410-537-3193 per How Do I).
Bulk asbestos (How Do I refuses asbestos; drywall mud / tile mastic containing asbestos is listed as accepted — different from bulk asbestos).
ECOWISE refuse: explosives; asbestos; radioactive materials; medical waste.
Poolesville Beauty Spot for any household hazardous waste.
Empty aerosol / empty spray-paint cans as “HHW” — How Do I: discard empty cans as regular trash; cans with remaining product go to HHW.
A made-up Sunday winner between Frederick Road and Shady Grove Road gates — unreconciled; confirm the morning you go.
Medication disposal instructions on this unofficial page — use official county medicine-collection / safe-disposal pages if that is your item.

Official sources

How Do I — household hazardous waste
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (resident vs ECOWISE; Paint Giveaway; contractor Wednesday 1–5 p.m. paint)
ECOWISE (SQG limits, Mon–Fri 8–12, per-pound schedule)
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
Trash and Recycling Drop-Off Hours and Events
Proof of County Residency
Poolesville Beauty Spot (bulk trash only — not HHW)
How Do I — medical sharps and syringes (link only; HHW does not accept; this site does not give medical disposal advice)
County safe medication disposal (link only; not HHW; this site does not give medication disposal advice)
PaintCare Maryland (locator link only — do not scrape store lists; latex/oil detail on leftover-paint page)