Hazardous Waste Disposal

You probably have some form of household hazardous waste in your home. The City of Laurel Department of Public Works will not collect or accept drop-offs for most hazardous wastes (exceptions listed on this page, below). Most hazardous waste will require drop-off at County posted mobile events (see bottom of the page for more information).

What is Hazardous Waste?

Household Hazardous Waste includes many common household products, such as:

• Oil-based paints
• Paint thinners and solvents
• Brake fluid and antifreeze
• Used motor oil
• Car batteries
• Pesticides/herbicides
• Photographic chemicals
• Unwanted fuels (gasoline, kerosene)
• Old Smoke Detectors (ionization smoke detectors)
• Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs
• Alkaline and Lithium Ion Batteries
• Consumer Electronics

When disposed of improperly, these materials can harm our groundwater and pose a threat to our sanitation workers. To eliminate the damage that these products may do to our air and water quality, we must manage our household hazardous materials.

Accepted Hazardous Waste Materials at City of Laurel Department of Public Works 

Oil and Antifreeze

You may recycle your used Motor Oil and used Antifreeze at the Public Works Facility located at 305-307 First Street. Each receptacle is labeled as to its contents. Please pour these liquids into the proper receptacle. Please do not dispose of empty motor oil and antifreeze containers in your household trash container or recycling bin. These containers must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Latex Paint

Empty or completely dried-up Latex Paint Cans can be collected by Public Works crews as part of a Residential Special Pickup (see our Bulky Items page for more information). We do not accept drop-offs for Latex paint. Please call us to make arrangements for a collection. Oil-based paint cans cannot be collected in this manner. These are considered hazardous waste materials.

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and cannot be placed in regular household refuse or special pickup collections. The Department of Public Works has initiated a recycling program to collect used and broken bulbs. If the bulbs are broken, put the pieces in a glass container, place the glass container with the waste material in a plastic bag marked with an "X" and place next to your recycling container on your recycling day. For large tube, bulbs contact the Department of Public Works at 301-725-0088 to make special arrangements and for additional information regarding the safe handling of CFL bulbs.

Household Batteries

Household batteries (AAA, AA, B, C, D, DD, 9 volts) can contain many different components that are considered toxic. Improper disposal of batteries (throwing them away in your trash collection) can cause serious environmental and health problems. Residents that have batteries to dispose of should call Public Works to let us know you will have batteries. The batteries should be placed in a plastic bag and put next to your recycling container on your recycling day. Your recycling crew will collect the batteries and safely dispose of them. Types of batteries that can be collected are alkaline, NiCad, lead acid, lithium, and zinc-carbon. There are also tubes for the drop-off of batteries at various City facilities, including the Department of Public Works at 305 First Street, City Hall on Sandy Spring Road, and the Laurel Police Department on 5th Street.

Consumer Electronics

Televisions, computers, and other consumer electronics can contain many different components that are dangerous to the environment when thrown away improperly. Many local electronic shops in The City of Laurel offer recycling for certain consumer electronics such as cell phones and printer cartridges. Consumer Electronics can also be collected as part of the City of Laurel's Bulky item pickup services.

Used Car Batteries

We would rather you recycle, when you buy a new car battery, the auto parts store or garage usually wants your old one in exchange. Sometimes you have a car battery you need to get rid of without buying a new one. Car batteries contain acid, which is corrosive. If you have an old car battery, take it to a collection center or auto parts store for recycling. The Department of Public Works can also collect a used car battery as part of a bulky item pickup with a fee.

Smoke Detectors

Some varieties of Smoke Detector operate with a tiny amount of radioactive material (ionization smoke detectors).  While completely harmless to your family, these devices can contaminate landfills and should not be thrown out in the regular trash.  The City will collect old smoke detectors free of charge and they can be dropped off at the Public Works building during business hours. 

Where to take other Hazardous Waste?

Currently, the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and other associated lots at the Prince George’s County Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill, 11611 White House Road in Upper Marlboro, are under construction and temporarily closed to the public until further notice. 

However, residents of the county can temporarily take Electronics to the Brown Station Road Convenience Center, 3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, for proper disposal. 

Additionally, the County hosts mobile events throughout the county to help residents dispose of HHW and Electronics, safely. For more information, please visit mypgc.us/clearthecurb.