The gates are open 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. If you have trash that requires weighing, you should be there no later than 3:00 PM.

No. Trucks will come into the landfill with out of county addresses or out of state license plates, but these trucks are hauling waste generated in Washington Coutny. Loads are checked if it is suspected that they carry waste generated outside the County. Loads found to be from outside the County are rejected and in some cases the hauler must pay a reloading fee, landfill privileges may be revoked and fines levied

The residential permit is for household trash and yard debris only. It does not allow for furniture, bedding or any large, bulky items.

No. Washington County residents and businesses without a permit must go across the scale and are charged by the weight of the waste disposed of. Minimum scale fees apply and the waste must be delivered when the scales are open. Verification of where the waste is coming from may be required.

Leaves and grass are accepted for recycling at the Forty West Landfill, one mile west of Huyetts Crossroads off Route 40.

Each year the County processes thousands of tons of yard debris. Mulch is made from the brush and soil amendment is made from the grass and leaves. Stop by and see these materials and join the list of customers.

Yes.

A residential permit can be purchased at the scalehouse at the Forty West Sanitary Landfill, one mile west of Huyetts Crossroads off Route 40, from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. You must bring the vehicle you wish to permit so the attendant can affix the permit to the vehicle. You may bring trash at that time and unload after purchasing a permit.

No, the County does not provide trash collection services.

Check with your neighbors to see who they have collecting their trash. The Solid Waste Department can provide you with a list of licensed haulers that serve your area. Make sure that you don't already have that service if you live in a municipality.

First, check with your pharmacist on proper disposal. The landfill cannot accept any sharps/needles that have been placed in a red plastic container marked biohazard. The landfill can accept insulin needles that are placed in a rigid container and marked "sharps, do not open" with household trash.

The Forty West Landfill, one mile west of Huyetts Crossroads off Route 40, has a separate container for recycling glossy magazines. The Dargan, Kaetzel, Greensburg and Hancock convenience centers also accept magazines.

Propane tanks are accepted (limit of 2) at the Forty West Landfill. They may also be turned in to Shawley's LP Gas or Rentals Unlimited for a charge of $5.00. Please call Shawley's or Rentals Unlimited in advance.  You may also call the Solid Waste Department (Monday - Friday) for information on other disposal options.

Yes, but they must have the ends removed or the tank cut in half.  You may also call the Solid Waste Department (Monday - Friday) for information on other disposal options.

The landfill accepts refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners at this time. The freon does not have to be removed.

Old paint cannot be accepted in liquid form. It must be solidified or dried out. Use kitty litter, sand, dirt or torn up newspaper to absorb the liquid. Small amounts can be air dried if the can is left open for several days. Once in this form, it can be put in the landfill.

The landfill has a separate area for scrap tires. See the rates page (linked from the Solid Waste Web Site) and you must arrive before 3:15 PM to go across the scales.

Check the list of Washington County Recycling Drop Off locations listed on the Washington County Solid Waste Web Site or look on the last page of the local Verizon phone directory.

Call the County's Recycling Office at 240-313-2796 for specific questions or for the names of private recycling companies.

You can mix cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles (# 1 and # 2 only) together, but the newspaper must be kept separate.

The mixed commingled rigid containers are taken to recycling sorting facilities where the materials are sorted by machines and by hand.

There are a number of factors that influence what materials are selected for recycling. Some of these factors are:

a.   The amount of a specific material that can be separated from other waste.
b.   The cost of collection and processing.
c.   End use (market) availability for the material.

Many communities that are not as rural as our county have curbside recycling. Historically, Washington County has taken the responsibility for providing landfill capacity and recycling drop-off sites, but has depended on private companies to collect trash and recyclables. A significant change in philosophy and the County's budget would have to occur should the County assume these responsibilities. The level of service the County provides is dependent on health, safety, citizen demands and budgetary constraints.

Recycling at all County facilities is free for County residents and you do not need a residential permit.

The County does not recycle paint.  See "How do I dispose of old paint" question above, in Solid Waste FAQ section, for disposal of small amounts of paint.

Several of the large discount auto parts stores now offer recycling service for these items.

All County waste sites (see last page of Verizon phone directory or Solid Waste web page for locations) have tanks for used oil and antifreeze (5 gallon maximum per visit).

Most stores that sell batteries offer rebates for your old trade in battery.

The County does offer a drop off site for used automobile batteries at the Forty West Landfill.

Look under Management and Staff in the Department of Water Quality section of the Washington County Government web site, for a list of staff members, phone numbers and a description of their area of responsibility.

Billing inquiries should be directed to the Department of Water Quality at (240) 313-2600.

The Department of Water Quality has the current Rate Schedule posted in its section of the Washington County Government web site. If you have additional questions regarding the Rate Schedule, please call (240) 313-2600.

You can call (240) 313-2600, or for long distance calls within Washington County call 1-800-924-7542, for an after-hours emergency.

Payments should be sent to :

Washington County Treasurer
35 West Washington Street
Room 102
Hagerstown MD 21740-4868

Directions to the Washington County Department of Water Quality can be located in the Department of Water Quality's section of the Washington County Government web site.

Instructions to publicly participate in a Department of Water Quality Advisory Commission Meeting as well as all Commission minutes are posted under the Advisory Commission on the Department of Water Quality's section of the Washington County Government web site.

The Washington County Department of Water Quality has a laboratory capable of performing basic water quality testing on well water. For more details on the testing the laboratory can perform and costs associated with this service, please call the Laboratory at 240-313-2600.