Sign up for our monthly email of tips, news, holiday schedules, weather changes and fun events.
In Your Home...Don't Throw It All Away!
- Visit our Know Before You Throw webpage for unique recycling and reuse opportunities.
- Give unwanted clothes to a friend, family member or donate it to a local charity (ripped or stained clothes can be cut and made into rags).
- Detox your home and avoid harsh chemicals.
- Return styrofoam peanuts to a local shipping store (like Mailboxes, etc.).
- NEED EXTRA CASH? Have a yard sale! One person's trash is another person's treasure.
- Renovating your home? THE LOADING DOCK accepts reusable building materials and other fixtures at Alpha Ridge Landfill.
- Visit the Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycle your "junk" including scrap metal, tires, Styrofoam, cooking oil, food scraps, used motor oil, antifreeze and much more.
- Clean out your shed or garage and visit one of our SATURDAY drop-off days for Household Hazardous Waste at the Alpha Ridge Landfill April through November)
Party/Picnic Tips... Less is best!
If you're having a party or picnic, don't forget the 4Rs:
- REDUCE
- REUSE
- RECYCLE (and COMPOST)
- RESPOND
We've all heard these words before, but what can we actually do?
- Buy bulk food items to REDUCE the amount of packaging and trash.
- Ask guests to carpool to REDUCE fuel consumption and pollution.
- RESPOND by thinking about the environment when shopping and set an example for others. It's easy and you'll be the superstar!
- Use REUSABLE plates, glasses, napkins , utensils and tablecloths. Your guests will be surprised and honored. Did you know? Even most disposable plates, cups and silverware items are durable and can be placed in your dishwasher. Score! Please note that disposable plates, cups and utensils are NOT recyclable.
- Buy REUSABLE decorations or make decorations that can be RECYCLED.
- RESPOND by encouraging guests to recycle .Tell people where to place empty plastic bottles, aluminum cans and glass bottles. Your party or picnic will help everyone to recycle more!
- RECYCLE your party or picnic recyclables in your blue recycling container.
- Use compostable plates, cups and utensils! If you receive curbside food scrap collection, add these items to your green bin or any Howard County resident can bring compostable items and food scraps to the Alpha Ridge Landfill (including bones and used vegetable oil/frying oil). Compost is a great way to RECYCLE MORE! Please note that compostable items are NOT recyclable in your blue cart.
Household Hazardous Waste
Collections at the Alpha Ridge Landfill every Saturday (April 1st through November 30th)
Bring your unwanted pesticides, herbicides, gasoline, batteries and other HHW items to the Alpha Ridge Convenience Center, 2350 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville 21104. Saturdays from 8 am - 4 pm only.
Wondering what to do with all that yard trim?
Choose the best option for you:
NOTE: grass, leaves and small brush WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED for trash pick-up in areas where yard trim recycling is offered.