Recycling in Columbia, MD

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Residents' Convenience Center (opens in new tab) · Howard County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services
  • The Residents' Convenience Center is at 2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104; proof of residency is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residential hours are Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Mattresses and box springs of all sizes are accepted; wet mattresses are not. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted electronics include computer monitors, CPUs, televisions, laptops and printers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The metal items and appliances area takes appliances, microwaves, refrigerators and sheet metal, among other metal items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Refrigerators go in a designated area (not the scrap metal container) because their coolants must be removed; remove doors and drawers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Automobile and truck tires are accepted; tires on rims, over 4 feet in diameter or over 15 inches wide are not. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Cardboard such as moving, appliance, storage and shipping boxes is accepted; please flatten it. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid batteries for automobiles, boats, motorcycles, ATVs and kids' powered vehicles are recycled at Alpha Ridge Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Alpha Ridge Landfill (opens in new tab) · Howard County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services
  • Alpha Ridge is the only public landfill open to accept waste generated in Howard County, and only that waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Howard County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services
  • Household hazardous waste is taken Saturdays only, April through November, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, 2350 Marriottsville Road. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents must show their driver's license as proof of Howard County residence. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted materials include rechargeable, button and lithium batteries, paint and paint thinners. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bulk Trash & Scrap Metal Collection (opens in new tab) · Howard County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services
  • Residents who receive County collections are eligible for bulk trash and scrap metal pickups. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Large broken items such as dryers, washers, stoves, refrigerators, metal cabinets, desks and exercise equipment qualify for scrap metal collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metal pickups must be scheduled online or by phone at 410-313-6444. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items must be under 10 feet long or wide, and only two collections may be scheduled per year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Remove all contents of a refrigerator and secure the doors shut or remove them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Columbia, MD Restore (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
  • The Columbia ReStore is at 9525 Berger Rd., Columbia, MD 21046; phone 410-290-3700; open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donation drop-off hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Columbia ReStore serves Howard County. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Electronics Recycling (eCycling) in Maryland (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • A manufacturer can qualify for a reduced renewal fee by offering Maryland customers free take-back of its end-of-life covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • An MDE-approved take-back program must be free, including a way to return the device at no cost to the returner. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Approved take-back programs must include instructions on destroying and sanitizing data on the device. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MDE encourages Maryland customers to use manufacturer take-back programs when disposing of end-of-life covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Details of each take-back program are available from the maker's toll-free number or web page. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Some Maryland counties also recycle end-of-life electronics for their residents; MDE says to contact your county for details. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MDE tells residents to contact their county for details on its electronics program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Unless noted otherwise, the permanent county and city electronics drop-off sites listed by MDE are open only to residents of that county or city. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Registered electronics manufacturers (eManufacturers registered to sell in Maryland) (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • MDE's registered-manufacturer list links to companies with Department-approved take-back programs that will recycle their brands for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1701: Definitions (Statewide Recycling; covered electronic devices, architectural paint, white goods) (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
  • A take-back program provides a no-cost way to return the device, such as postage-paid mailers or designated collection points around the state. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A manufacturer's take-back program covers devices labeled with that manufacturer's name or brand. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered electronic devices are computers and video display devices with a screen larger than 4 inches diagonally. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A "computer" is a desktop or laptop computer, including the computer monitor. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer peripherals such as mice, printers and detachable keyboards are not covered. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Personal digital assistants are not counted as computers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Screens built into motor vehicles, household appliances, or commercial, industrial or medical equipment are not covered. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A video display device is any screen device that shows moving images, whether CRT, LCD, plasma, DLP or another technology; read here as including televisions. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
• PaintCare: Maryland paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • The sites are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no charge to drop off paint at a PaintCare site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare sites take house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare offers free pickup for 100+ gallons of unwanted paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1733: Paint Stewardship Program (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
  • By law, a paint collection site in the program plan may not charge an extra fee to take paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • PaintCare sites do not take aerosol coatings, solvents, or industrial and non-architectural products. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Products must be in original containers of 5 gallons or less, with the maker's label and a secured lid; open or leaking cans are refused. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): State Recycling Laws (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Under Maryland's Rechargeable Battery Management Law, marketers must run a management program for used Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries; The Battery Network runs its program throughout the state. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): FAQs (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Every Battery Network drop-off site takes end-of-life rechargeable batteries; only some take single-use (primary) batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no national stewardship program for free single-use battery recycling outside Vermont, Illinois and Washington, D.C., so local HHW and municipal programs may charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Use The Battery Network's locator; many major retailers participate, including Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Battery Network does not take car batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Protect terminals by bagging each battery or taping the terminals. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; some take specialty batteries. Check the site's details before you go. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Many Maryland county HHW programs collect batteries, among other materials. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.