The Department of Environmental Protection is advertising its ECOWISE program to promote the proper way to dispose of hazardous material in an inexpensive and convenient manner.
The program provides local businesses, or Small Quantity Generators (SQG), who generate less than 220 pounds (100 kg) of hazardous waste a safe way to do so via collections.
ECOWISE collections are held each Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) compound.
There is no appointment needed but registration is required and can be completed here. After free registration is complete, you will receive a packet of information and will be asked to complete a “Haz Waste audit” as described in the ECOWISE Guide. If the audit shows that you generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month, you may join the ECOWISE program. An SQG must also generate less than 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of acute hazardous waste per month.
According to the Code of Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 13, Section 02.09 (26.13.02.09) Article A(2), acute hazardous waste is defined as: “A solid waste that has been found to be fatal to humans in low doses or…is otherwise capable of causing or significantly contributing to an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness.”
Any questions or inquiries regarding assistance with the registration process can be directed to Michael.Fisher@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.
