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Solid Waste and Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Saturday, June 26

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rain or Shine

Appeal Landfill

401 Sweetwater Rd., Lusby

Household hazardous materials are common products you may use around the home almost every day. A substance is considered hazardous if it ignites easily, reacts or explodes when mixed with other substances, is corrosive or toxic. Check for labels that bear the words caution, warning, danger, poison or toxic.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) that is improperly disposed of presents a threat to the environment. Materials collected by Calvert County are recycled or disposed of in hazardous waste landfills or incineration facilities. Special handling of these materials is required to minimize environmental risk and protect our environment.

The Household Hazardous Waste disposal program is available to residents only – NO commercial haulers, businesses or institutions. Commercial businesses must make other arrangements for disposal. County residents may drop off their HHW for free at the designated collection site on the specified collection day only. Click here for a fact sheet and schedule of collection events.

The following household hazardous waste items are typically found around the house and should be kept out of the regular garbage.

Latex Paint

Thousands of tax dollars are spent each year disposing of latex paint as hazardous when, in fact, it is not hazardous. All residual and leftover latex paint must be hardened or dried. For small quantities, remove the lid from the can and let the paint dry. For larger quantities, you may need to use a bulking or drying agent such as paint hardener, mulch, kitty litter, etc. When the paint is dry and hard, you may place it in a trash bag for disposal.

Alternatives to Hazardous Products

There are natural and safer materials available to use in place of hazardous chemicals. Here are some ideas:

Air freshener: Simmer cloves and cinnamon in boiling water. Leave opened box of baking soda in room. Set out a dish of vinegar.

Chrome cleaner: Use baking soda and a dry cloth.

Drain opener: Use a plunger or mechanical snake. Pour half cup washing soda into drain, and then pour 2 cups boiling water into drain. Flush drain weekly with boiling water.

Furniture polish: Mix 2 parts vegetable oil and 1 part lemon juice. Apply, rub in, wipe clean.

Laundry presoak: Make paste of baking soda and water; apply to dirty spots.

Metal cleaner: Make paste of salt, vinegar and flour. Start with a half cup of salt, add enough vinegar to dissolve, add flour to create a damp paste.

Porcelain cleaner: Make paste from baking soda and water; apply to stain, let set, rub clean, rinse.

Septic system cleaner: Use professional service every two to three years. Chemical treatments don't work; some can actually harm your system.

Ant control: Mix 2 tablespoons boric acid, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup water. Soak paper towels, place on dishes, and set out for ants. Pour a line of cream of tartar where ants enter. Put a light coating of petroleum jelly around the base of your pet's feeding dish to keep ants out.

Carpet and upholstery cleaner: Clean stains immediately with club soda. Sprinkle cornstarch on rug and vacuum. Use soap-based, non-aerosol rug shampoo.

Flea and tick repellent: Scatter pine needles, fennel, rue or rosemary on pet's bed. Feed pet brewer's yeast, vitamin B or garlic tablets.

Insect spray for plants: Blend 6 cloves crushed garlic, 1 minced onion, 1 tablespoon dried hot pepper and 1 tablespoon pure soap in 1 gallon hot water. Let sit one to two days; strain and use.

Mothballs: Sew dried lavender or cedar chips into small cloth bags and place with clothes.

Multi-purpose cleaner: Mix half cup ammonia, 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water.

Silver polish: Soak silver in a quart warm water containing 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and a piece of aluminum foil.

Window cleaner: Use half cup vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water or lemon juice and dry soft cloth. Use newspaper to dry glass.