Understanding the Howard County Holiday Trash Schedule

When holidays roll around, it can throw off your regular trash and recycling collection schedule. Howard County has a system in place to adjust trash pickup around holidays so you don’t have to wonder when to take your trash to the curb. This article will explain everything you need to know about trash and recycling collection in Howard County during holidays.

What is the Holiday Trash Schedule in Howard County?

Howard County utilizes a “holiday slide” system for trash and recycling pickup during major holidays. Here’s how it works:

• Major holidays where trash collection is impacted include: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

• On holidays and the days after, trash collection slides to the next day for the rest of the week. For example, if your normal pickup is Monday and the holiday is on Monday, your pickup will slide to Tuesday. Tuesday pickup slides to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, etc.

• The slide impacts trash, recycling, yard trim, and food scrap collection.

• County offices and the Alpha Ridge Landfill are closed on holidays.

When is Trash Pickup on Holidays in Howard County?

Trash and recycling pickup never occurs on the actual holiday. Pickup slides to the next day, even if the holiday falls on a weekday.

For example, July 4, 2023 falls on a Tuesday. There will be no trash pickup that day. If your normal pickup is Tuesday, it will slide to Wednesday.

See the table below for Howard County’s 2023 holiday trash schedule:

Holiday	Slide Schedule if Your Normal Pickup is:
New Year’s Day (Jan 2)	Mon – Tue, Tue – Wed, etc.
Memorial Day (May 29)	Mon – Tue, Tue – Wed, etc.
Independence Day (July 4)	Mon – Mon, Tue – Wed, etc.
Labor Day (Sept 4)	Mon – Tue, Tue – Wed, etc.
Thanksgiving (Nov 23)	Mon – Mon, Tue – Tue, etc.
Christmas Day (Dec 25)	Mon – Tue, Tue – Wed, etc.

You can download the 2023 holiday slide schedule here. The 2024 schedule will be published later in 2023.

How to Look Up Your Trash Pickup Day in Howard County

To know how the holiday slide impacts your pickup, first you need to know your normal collection day. Here’s how to find it:

• Check your collection schedule calendar received in the mail from the county.

• Look up your address on the Trash and Recycling Collection Days map.

• Call the Bureau of Environmental Services at 410-313-6444 for assistance.

Once you know your normal day, you can plan accordingly on holidays using the slide schedule.

What to Do If You Miss Trash Pickup After a Holiday

If your pickup gets pushed to Saturday due to the holiday slide, and you miss the Saturday pickup, follow these steps:

• Hold your trash and recycling until the next week’s collection.

• Call 410-313-6444 if you will have overflowing waste before the next collection. The county can arrange a special pickup.

• Take trash, recycling, yard waste to the Alpha Ridge Landfill for disposal.

• Use the residents’ drop-off area at the Alpha Ridge Landfill for trash, recycling, yard trim, wood waste, and food scraps. Open 8am-4pm weekdays and 8am-2pm Saturdays (closed holidays).

Holiday Schedule for the Alpha Ridge Landfill

Keep in mind that the Alpha Ridge Landfill is closed on all major holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

The landfill otherwise follows normal hours:

• Monday-Saturday: 8am-4pm
• Saturday: 8am-2pm

Planning Ahead for Holidays

Preparation is key to smooth trash and recycling collection on holidays:

• Mark your calendar with the holiday slide schedule at the start of the year.

• Set reminders on holiday weeks about changed pickup days.

• If pickup slides to Saturday, take trash and recycling to the curb on Friday night instead.

• Check the holiday schedule online if unsure of new pickup days.

• Contact the county’s Bureau of Environmental Services at 410-313-6444 with any questions!

By understanding Howard County’s holiday trash schedule and planning accordingly, you can make sure your waste and recyclables are collected without a hitch. Holidays don’t have to mean overflowing trash cans!