Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Outreach to Reduce the Risk for Trash Fires

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 21, 2017

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett held an event today to increase awareness of the importance of the safe disposal of household waste materials that could become a fire hazard when discarded in the trash. The event was held at Montgomery County’s Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood.

 

“It is important for residents to know what is not safe to throw in the trash, and it is equally as important for residents to know how to safely discard items – especially when they may pose a fire risk,” said Leggett. “We want our residents and businesses to take advantage of all of the services available at our Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station to ensure waste is discarded as safely and environmentally responsible as possible.”

 

Careful attention should be given to ensure that items are safe to be placed in the trash. Flammable or combustible liquids (such as gasoline, oil-based paints, or kerosene); hazardous materials (including items such as ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, etc.); canisters containing propellants (like butane or propane); cylinders containing compressed gas (such as propane, helium, oxygen, acetylene, or fire extinguishers); or any unknown substances should be kept out of the trash.  Rechargeable batteries (which contain heavy metals, including lithium, nickel cadmium, or lead-acid); and ash (from fireplaces, fire pits, or barbeque grills) should not be disposed in the trash.

 

When certain liquids or gases mix, there is a risk they could become a fire or explosion hazard. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Household Hazardous Waste collection program provides an appropriate way for residents to discard many volatile items. The Household Hazardous Waste program is open to all County residents.

 

“We ask everyone to be mindful and careful about what they put into their trash to help keep fires out of resident trash cans, dumpsters, trash trucks, or facilities such as the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station,” said Director of the Department of Environmental Protection Lisa Feldt. “Instead of putting these items in the trash, we encourage residents to take advantage of our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, and all of the collection services available at our Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station.”

 

For more information, call 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311, or visit the website at montgomerycountymd.gov/sws.

 

Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6507