Maryland household hazardous waste drop-off

Batteries in Maryland

The law: Maryland law bans throwing away small rechargeable nickel-cadmium and sealed lead batteries (25 pounds or less), or products with them built in, except through a collection program approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Stores that sell them must post a sign about proper disposal. Unlike most states, Maryland has no law that bans car batteries from the trash or makes stores take them back. MDE gives no statewide rule for alkaline batteries and points residents to county household hazardous waste programs, many of which take batteries.

Stewardship program: Makers of nickel-cadmium and small sealed lead rechargeable batteries must run a collection program approved by MDE. There is no wider battery stewardship program; a 2025 bill to create one (SB 686) did not pass.

Where to take them: 7 Maryland programs we list accept batteries, most often rechargeable, button, lithium or car batteries. Some, such as Harford County’s collection, turn away alkaline batteries, so check each listing. Programs that list batteries include Shady Grove Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off, Alpha Ridge Landfill Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility (Household Hazardous Waste). Pick your county above for every program.

Which batteries can go in the trash, how to tape and bag them, and other states’ rules: How to dispose of batteries.

Sources (checked Sat, Oct 24, 2026): Maryland Environment Article §6-1106 (rechargeable batteries), Maryland Environment Article §6-1107 (collection programs), MDE: Household hazardous waste, Maryland General Assembly: SB 686 (2025), Battery Stewardship Act, EPA: Lead-acid battery collection case study, The Battery Network: State recycling laws.

Motor oil and car fluids in Maryland

The law: Maryland’s Used Oil Recycling Act bans disposing of used oil in sewers, drains or any waters, by burning, as trash, or on land, except at a designated collection facility. It also bans knowingly mixing anything into used oil before it is recycled. Stores that sell oil must post signs from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) about proper disposal and where to take used oil. In Maryland, “used oil” includes transmission fluid and gear oil.

Collection program: Maryland Environmental Service (MES) runs a free statewide used oil and antifreeze recycling program for MDE. Its sites take motor oil, diesel, kerosene, transmission fluid and hydraulic oil, but not gasoline, brake fluid, solvents or oil mixtures. We found no Maryland law requiring stores to take used oil back.

Antifreeze: MES takes antifreeze only at some of its sites; check its location list or call 1-800-473-2925. County household hazardous waste programs also take it.

Where to take it: 3 Maryland programs we list accept motor oil and 4 accept antifreeze. MES keeps a list of used oil recycling locations by county. Programs that list motor oil or antifreeze include Shady Grove Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off and Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility (Household Hazardous Waste). Pick your county above for every program.

How to pack used oil and filters, what to do with antifreeze, brake fluid and gasoline, and other states’ rules: How to dispose of used motor oil and car fluids.

Sources (checked Sun, Oct 25, 2026): Maryland Environment Article §5-1001 (Used Oil Recycling Act), MES: Used oil and antifreeze recycling, MES: Used oil recycling locations.