April 9, 2020
Media Contact:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Mark DeLuca, Deputy Director, Department of Public Works, 410-313-6444
ELLICOTT CITY, MD - At this time the Alpha Ridge Landfill remains open with normal operating hours (Mon-Sat, 8am-4pm) but should only be used by residents who do not have curbside collection service (either provided by the County or a private hauler). The landfill services are experiencing non-essential visits from residents in direct violation of Governor Hogan’s ‘Stay at Home’ Executive Order.
“We recognize that residents are, understandably, trying to keep busy at home and some are spring cleaning, however now is not the time to unnecessarily put our workers or yourself at risk, so please stay home unless you have to go out,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “This is a serious public health crisis, and residents should only be out for essential trips, we know this can be disruptive, but it is necessary and won’t last forever, if we continue doing what we can to flatten the curve.”
The only items that should be brought to Alpha Ridge are those that require immediate disposal, such as kitchen or bathroom trash. Residents should not bring items such as bulky furniture, construction debris or large amounts of trash generated through spring cleaning and home cleanouts. Due to limited staffing and the need to prioritize items needing immediate proper disposal, please delay disposal of other items until the State of Emergency has been lifted.
Residents with Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will be able to bring the material to Alpha Ridge Landfill’s Residents Convenience Center on Saturdays and Tuesdays, from 8am-4pm. Those materials include corrosive, flammable, reactive or toxic products as pesticides, herbicides, degreasers etc.
Tuesdays are added service days and will continue through the State of Emergency period, however we ask those that can wait to dispose of these items or paint to do so. A 10-vehicle limit has been instituted in the Resident’s Convenience Center during operating hours, please be patient and plan accordingly. Wait times can be one hour or greater at peak times and on Saturdays. More information about the HHW program can be found online.
Residents who do choose to bring items to Alpha Ridge may experience changes to previous operations. Once on-site you will be directed to disposal locations; be sure to follow all directions from County employees and on-site signage. Be patient and expect delays during your visit. Historically, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the least congested.
As a reminder:
- County-provided collection services (trash, recycling, yard trim, bulk trash and scrap metal) continue to operate as usual and collection guidelines still apply. There has been a large increase in the volume of materials being placed out for collection – please delay disposal of spring clean out materials.
- All residential organic material sales and giveaways (compost, mulch, topsoil, and shredded wood) have been suspended.
- No more than 10 vehicles will be permitted in the Residents Convenience Center at a time.
- Vehicles with a trailer or box trucks must cross the scales; they cannot use the Residents Convenience Center due to safety concerns.
- Permitted commercial accounts must cross the scales and will be billed based on material type and tonnage. On-site cash, check, and credit card sales have been discontinued.
Services will continue to be evaluated as needed. Call 410-313-6444 to get the most up-to-date information from our recorded message or visit our website at HowardCountyRecycles.org.