Trash and Recycling Collection Schedules in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Prince George’s County provides trash and recycling collection services to over 175,000 households in the county. It’s important for residents to know the regular collection schedule as well as how it is impacted by holidays. This article explains trash and recycling collection days, acceptable containers, materials collected, and adjustments to the schedule for holidays and inclement weather in Prince George’s County.

Regular Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

• Trash collection occurs once per week on a designated day between 6am and 8pm. Customers should place trash containers at the curb by 6am on collection day.

• Recycling collection also occurs once per week on a designated day between 6am and 8pm. Recycling should be placed curbside by 6am.

• Yard waste collection occurs once per week on a designated day between 6am and 8pm. Yard waste should be placed curbside by 6am.

• The contractor will empty trash, recycling, and yard waste containers and return them to the curb. Residents are responsible for cleaning containers and storing them properly.

• To find your designated collection day, use the collection day lookup tool on the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment website. You can also call PGC311 at 301-883-4748.

Acceptable Trash and Recycling Containers

• Trash – must be placed in permanent metal cans with lids and intact bottoms, heavy-duty plastic bags securely tied, or watertight plastic containers with handles and tight-fitting lids. No container should exceed 60 pounds.

• Recycling – must be placed in blue wheeled carts issued by the county. Additional recycling can be placed in containers marked with the word “Recycle.”

• Yard Waste – must be placed in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers marked with the word “Yard.” Bundles should be tied with cotton or sisal twine – not wire.

Materials Accepted for Collection

Trash

• Regular household waste except for hazardous waste.

Recycling

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal food and beverage cans
• Paper including cardboard, newspaper, magazines, and mail
• Cartons

Yard Waste

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Brush and branches
• Logs and stumps

View full lists of accepted materials on the Prince George’s County website.

Adjustments for Holidays

Prince George’s County observes the following holidays which impact trash and recycling collection:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If a holiday falls on a weekday, all collections for that day and the remainder of the week will shift to one day later. For example, if the holiday is on Monday, Monday collection moves to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, etc.

Yard waste collection is suspended for Memorial Day and Christmas holidays. There are no make-up days.

View the full holiday collection schedule on the Prince George’s County website.

Changes for Inclement Weather

During inclement weather, trash, recycling, and yard waste collection may be delayed or suspended.

If collections are suspended, residents should remove containers from public areas and wait for notification that collections have resumed.

For updates on delays and suspensions, check the Prince George’s County and Department of the Environment websites, follow on social media, or call PGC311.

Special Collections

Bulky Trash

• Bulky trash includes large items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances.
• Collection occurs by appointment only on designated pickup days.
• Residents can schedule bulky trash pickup online or by calling PGC311.
• There is a limit of 2 bulky items per collection.

Scrap Tires/Large Appliances

• Scrap tires off the rim and large appliances can be scheduled for curbside pickup.
• Call PGC311 to schedule.
• Limit of 4 tires and 2 appliances per collection.

Backdoor Collection

• Residents over 65 or with disabilities may qualify for backdoor trash and recycling collection.
• To apply, call PGC311. No one in the home can be under 65 or physically able to take containers to the curb.

Tips for Trash and Recycling Collection

• Clearly mark recycling and trash containers with words like “Trash,” “Recycle,” or “Yard Waste.”

• Write your address on containers in case they blow away.

• Bag trash to prevent it blowing away on windy days.

• Place heavier items on top of lighter items to weigh them down.

• Face openings of containers away from prevailing winds.

• Promptly bring containers in after collection.

• Consolidate partially filled containers to prevent blowing litter.

• Secure lids on containers.

• Watch for and retrieve neighborhood containers that may blow over on windy days.

Contact Information for Trash and Recycling

Prince George’s County Department of the Environment
1801 McCormick Drive
Largo, MD 20774

Phone: 311 or 301-883-4748
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/311