Trash collection in Montgomery County, Maryland

COUNTY TRASH COLLECTION AND RECYCLING INFORMATION FOR YOUR HOME IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Montgomery County is responsible for the collection of trash from 85,000 homes. This service is provided through contracts with independent trash collection companies. All other single-family and town homes in the County have trash collection through private subscriptions directly with the trash haulers. This private service is arranged either directly between residents and hauling companies, or through homeowners' associations.

County trash collection occurs primarily in the southern part of the County. This service is provided to single-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings with six or less units. Individually-owned townhouses are classified as single-family units. Residential properties receiving County trash collection service are billed an annual service charge.

Collection Frequency
Acceptable household trash accumulated daily by each household will be collected once a week from the curb.

Adjustments to the collection schedule are made for six holidays each year. Note that the schedule is adjusted only if the actual (not the observed) holiday falls on a collection day.

What to set out and when
All trash must be placed at the curb in proper containers by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Containers must not be kept on the County right-of-way between collections. No restraints will be used on containers or lids which interfere with or hinder removal of trash from containers. Your set out items must consist only of accumulated materials from normal housekeeping activities. If collection is suspended due to snow or severe weather, your trash will be picked up the next day or as soon as possible.

Call 240-777-6410 or 240-777-6411 for information on collection status. There will be a recorded message on these lines. Please leave your cans at the curb until collection occurs.

Containers to use
All containers for the storage of trash or garbage must be rigid containers of metal or plastic, having tight-fitting, overlapping lids, with a capacity of not less than fifteen (15) and not exceeding thirty-two (32) gallons. No responsibility can be assumed by the County or Contractors for damages to plastic containers.

Disposable plastic liners, if used, must be made of heavy, waterproof paper or plastic and must not exceed thirty-two (32) gallons in capacity. Such container liners must be kept in approved containers when storing trash between collections. In other words, don't leave your items out in plastic bags alone -- crows, squirrels and other critters love to get into their contents and would have easy access.

Uncontained piles of trash, garbage, and overflowing containers cannot be collected. Containers which have ragged, sharp edges or other defects liable to hamper or injure collectors must be replaced.

RECYCLING RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOME IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Responsible management of solid waste is a critical effort to mitigate the potential impacts of waste generation, handling, transport and disposal on air, surface and groundwater quality. To this end, the County planned, developed, operates and maintains a rail-line supported transfer station, and waste-to-energy, composting and recycling facilities.

In 1990, the County made source reduction a priority by placing it at the top of the solid waste management hierarchy, stating that all waste reduction measures within the County’s power should be implemented. This policy was formally adopted in an amendment to the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan in July 1990. In December 1992, County Resolution 12-945 established a zero percent annual growth in solid waste disposal per household and per employee.

Resolution 12-945 also formally established an interim goal to recycle 35 percent of all waste generated by 1995, and to recycle 50 percent of all waste by 2000. In 1993, Executive Regulation 109-92 further required all multi-family properties and all businesses, organizations and government facilities to recycle.

The County manages contracts for recycling collection on behalf of single-family households and provides education, outreach and technical assistance on recycling, waste reduction and buying recycled goods to residents of single-family and multi-family households, as well as to business owners, mangers and employees.

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

What will be accepted at a collection site:

Note: If you have over 15 gallons of liquid or 75 pounds of solid wastes, please call the Division of Solid Waste Services at 240-777-6400 so that special arrangements may be made to receive your waste.