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Solid Waste, Recycling & Mulch/Compost

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1. What phone numbers should I call if I have questions about trash or recycling?

Please call 410-638-3018 for questions about solid waste services. Please direct inquiries about recycling to 410-638-3417. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

2. Where does our trash go?

Harford County directs the private businesses that collect trash to dispose of it at a solid waste transfer station located at the Baltimore County Eastern Sanitary Landfill in White Marsh, just southwest of the Harford County line. This facility will not be open to county residents. It is only be open to the private trash companies. Harford County residents can drop-off their trash and recyclables at the Harford Waste Disposal Center on Scarboro Road in Street. Read more about Harford County's Solid Waste Management Plan.

3. What residential material can be disposed of at the Harford Waste Disposal Center and the Tollgate Yard Trim drop-off facility?

The Harford Waste Disposal Center accepts many materials for disposal from county residents including: putrescible household trash and garbage; bulky items such as furniture, bookshelves, used carpeting, etc.; mattresses and cushions; recyclable materials including paper and cardboard, rigid plastics labeled #1 to #7, aluminum cans, tin cans, and glass bottles; used motor oil and antifreeze; old gasoline and gas/oil mixtures (limited to no more than 10 gallons); used tires off the rim (tires exceeding 32-inches wide must first be quartered); wet cell batteries; empty refillable propane cylinders not greater than 20 pound capacity; used clothing; scrap metal, metal objects, and appliances including copper wire and tubing; computer monitors, hard drives, keyboards, and mice; construction and demolition debris (plywood, lumber, doors and door casings, windows and window casings, garage doors, sheds, posts, timber ties, wood associated with swing sets, fencing, drywall, cinder block, brick, asphalt, shingles, tiles, and concrete) not exceeding 25% of the volume of the vehicle’s load; latex paint; yard trim including grass clippings, leaves, and brush/tree limbs; and non-friable asbestos (please call 410-638-3638 for specific instructions). 

The Tollgate yard trim drop-off facility only accepts residential yard trim including grass clippings, leaves, and brush/tree limbs. Open December through March, Saturdays only; and April through November, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

4. What residential material is not allowed for disposal at the Harford Waste Disposal Center?

The Harford Waste Disposal Center does not accept the following items, which can also be found on our website: liquid waste; friable asbestos; chemicals and chemical constituents in containers with volumes which are greater than that typically found in retail stores catering to the homeowner (including solvents and degreasers, oil-based paint, thinners, herbicides, pesticides); poisons, acids or caustic liquids; explosives or ordinance; hot ashes; radioactive substances; vehicles (including automobiles, RVs, trucks, motorcycles; drums, unless emptied and flattened; compressed gas cylinders (other than refillable 20-pound propane cylinders); septage; logs and stumps; soil or stone. Limitations are placed on on certain materials, including but not limited to construction and demolition debris.

5. What are your hours of operation for the landfill, mulch and compost facility and yard trim facility?

The Harford Waste Disposal Center and Harford Mulch & Compost Facility are open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed Sundays and county holidays. 

The Tollgate Yard Trim drop-off operating hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April through November, and Saturday only, December through March.

6. What are your fees?

Please note the fees for pick-ups and trailers are based on a bed size of no more than 3 feet high and 8 feet long. Beds exceeding these dimensions shall be weighed on the scales and pay the current tipping fee of $72/ton. Cost will be based on the actual weight of the waste, which could be less than $72. The minimum charge of $7 is required at the time of weighing. Any subsequent charge, based on the actual weight, will be collected upon exiting the Harford Waste Disposal Center. Find more information on our fee schedule.

Please follow this link for current fee schedule.

7. Do you accept credit cards or checks at the HWDC for payment?

Credit cards can be used on residential transactions for disposal of solid waste only. We cannot accept debit cards or checks. Cash transactions will continue to be required for bulk sales of mulch and compost.

8. What are the directions to drop-off facilities?

Harford Waste Disposal Center (HWDC)

From South - North on Route 1 to Route 543. Left on 543 five miles, right on Route 440 two miles to Scarboro Road. Right on Scarboro Road and left into HWDC entrance. 

From East - Route 22 West to Route 136. Right on Route 136 to Route 440. Left on Route 440 to Scarboro Road. Left on Scarboro Road and left into HWDC entrance. 

From West - Route 165 to Route 543 to Route 440. Route 440 to Scarboro Road. Left into HWDC entrance. 

From North - Route 1 South to Route 136. Right on Route 136 to Route 440. Left on Route 440 to Scarboro Road. Left on Scarboro Road to HWDC. 

Tollgate Yard Trim Drop-off Facility, 701 N. Tollgate Road, across from the entrance to the Harford County Equestrian Center. From Bel Air, proceed to Tollgate Road from either business Route 1 or Boulton Street; after the Route 1 Bypass overpass, drive past the Equestrian Center. The entrance to the drop-off facility is on the right which is shared with the entrance for the Ma & Pa Trail parking access. Proceed up the hill past the chain link gate.

9. My trash was not picked up today. What should I do?

You should contact your private trash collector about any problems with service. Harford County does not perform nor manage the trash collection services.

10. I am new to Harford County, Maryland. What companies pick up household trash and recycling?

Licensed companies providing residential curbside trash pick-up and recycling pick-up in Harford County include: 

Bartenfelder Sanitation Services: 410-420-9220 
GFL: 410-457-0404 
Harford County Trash Services: 443-841-6253
Republic Services: 800-284-7056 

Note: Harford County licenses, but does not endorse, trash collectors. If you encounter a firm not on the list above, please contact Harford County’s Solid Waste Management at 410-638-3637. Harford County does not endorse the use of any particular company.

11. Are peanut butter jars, margarine tubs, and yogurt containers recyclable?

Yes, wide mouth plastic containers are accepted for recycling, this includes peanut butter jars, margarine tubs and yogurt containers. All recyclables should be emptied and lightly rinsed. Caps, labels and lids can remain on bottles, cans and jars. Find our complete list of what can and can't be recycled.

12. Can I recycle computer/electronics in Harford County?

Most electronic devices are accepted at the Harford Waste Disposal Center, 3241 Scarboro Road Street, MD 21154. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Read our electronics recycling brochure.

13. How do I dispose of latex paint?

Latex paint can be disposed of in the regular trash if it is first solidified. Open the paint can lid in an open safe area; accelerate drying by adding kitty litter, wood chips, sawdust, or paint hardener (found in most paint stores/paint departments). Once the paint has dried and solidified it can be added to the household trash. Latex paint can be brought to the Harford Waste Disposal Center in liquid form and poured into a metal bin specifically designated for latex paint (charges apply).

14. Plastic motor oil containers have the designation #1 or #2 on them. Can I put these into my single stream recycling bin?

No, although this plastic type can be recycled, it is very difficult to completely clean the oil, which causes problems with the processor. Please put the cap on the container and throw it in with your regular household trash.

15. Where is the nearest location to drop off used motor oil and anti-freeze for recycling?

Please visit the Used Motor Oil & Anti-freeze Recycling Site page for the most current list of drop-off locations. For additional information, please call Office of Recycling, 410-638-3417.

16. Where can I dispose of tires?

Up to five tires a year are accepted at the Harford Waste Disposal Center. Maximum diameter of whole tires is 32 inches. Tires in excess of 32-inch diameter must first be quartered.

17. Where can I get rid of old stale gasoline?

Old gasoline and gas/oil mixtures are accepted at the Harford Waste Disposal Center in amounts no greater than 10 gallons.

18. What is the availability of mulch and compost?

Mulch and compost are available throughout the year; however, at times the inventory gets low due to seasonal demand and the amount of yard trim received. Both products are available at the Mulch and Compost Facility at the Harford Waste Disposal Center Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. County residents may self-load the equivalent of three 30-gallon trash cans of material at no charge per trip. Alternatively, residents may purchase bulk quantities at $10 per cubic yard. 

19. How can I safely dispose of used needles and other sharp items?

You may use the Harford County Health Department disposal kiosk in Edgewood or safely dispose at home.