Trash and Recycling Collection Schedules in Howard County, MD

Howard County provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection for residents through the Bureau of Environmental Services. This article covers key details on collection schedules, accepted materials, holidays, and other important information for Howard County trash and recycling services.

Trash Collection

• Trash pickup occurs once per week on your designated collection day.

• Use the Collection Day Lookup tool or Collection Day Calendar to find your assigned day.

• Trash must be at the curb by 6 AM on collection days. Place bins at least 3 feet away from obstacles.

• Households are provided one county-issued wheeled cart (96 gallons) for trash. Extra carts can be requested for a fee.

Recycling Collection

• Recycling is collected every other week on your scheduled trash day.

• Check the Collection Day Calendar for your biweekly recycling weeks.

• Recycling must be curbside by 6 AM on pickup days every other week.

• Households receive one 18-gallon bin for mixed recycling. Additional bins can be requested for free.

Accepted Curbside Recycling

Howard County accepts the following recyclable materials:

• Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, trays, and rigid plastics
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal cans
• Mixed paper
• Cardboard
• Cartons

Plastic bags, styrofoam, and other contaminants are prohibited. See the full list of accepted curbside recyclables.

Yard Waste Collection

• Yard waste is collected weekly on your designated trash day from April to mid-January.

• Grass clippings, leaves, brush, and branches must be in paper bags, personal containers, or reusable bins curbside by 6 AM.

• Bundles of branches should be tied with twine or string and under 4 feet long and 18 inches in diameter.

Bulk Trash Pickup

• Large, oversized items that don’t fit in your trash cart are collected on the 2nd trash day of the month.

• Place bulky items like furniture, mattresses, appliances, etc. at the curb by 6 AM on your scheduled bulk collection day.

• See Bulk Collection guidelines for full details.

Holiday Collection Schedule

Trash and recycling pickup slides to one day later than normal after these six holidays:

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

If your regular pickup day falls on or after the holiday, expect collection to occur the following day that week only.

Missed Collection

Report any missed trash, recycling, or yard waste pickup by 5 PM on the scheduled day:

• Online form

• Call 410-313-6444

Missed materials will be collected within 24 hours of reporting.

Special Waste Disposal

• Household hazardous waste can be dropped off at the Alpha Ridge Landfill.

• Take electronics, scrap metal, and appliances to the Alpha Ridge Residents’ Convenience Center.

• Schedule bulky item pickups for a fee by calling 410-313-6440.

Contact Information

Contact Howard County Environmental Services for additional questions:

Website: www.howardcountymd.gov/environmental-services

Phone: 410-313-6444

Email: [email protected]

Address: 9801 Broken Land Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046

Following Howard County’s collection schedule, properly sorting recyclables, and reporting any issues helps maximize waste diversion and keep the community clean. Check your pickup calendar frequently and get your bins to the curb on time each week.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my trash and recycling collection day?

Use the Collection Day Lookup tool or Collection Day Calendar to find your designated collection day.

What time should I put out my trash and recycling?

Place all materials at the curb by 6 AM on your collection day. Do not put bins out before 6 PM the evening before.

How many trash carts and recycling bins can I get?

Households are issued one 96-gallon trash cart and one 18-gallon recycling bin. Additional carts and bins can be requested for a fee (trash) or for free (recycling).

What holidays change the pickup schedule?

Trash and recycling collection slides to one day later after these six holidays:

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

Can I donate or swap usable items at the curb?

Yes, but clearly label items for donation or swap programs close to your home to avoid accidental pickup.

Who do I contact for missed collections?

Report any missed trash, recycling, or yard waste by 5 PM on the scheduled day:

• Online form
• Call 410-313-6444