skip to page contents Trash Removal

County service or private subscription?
Collection frequency
What to set out and when
Containers to use
Billing
Missed pick-ups
Special Collections
Appliances
Unacceptable materials
Unacceptable -- Now what?!
Safeguards for Collectors
Loss/Damage Claims
Holidays
Tips/Gratuities

 

Private Collection Companies

**B&B Refuse, Inc
14500 Southlawn Lane
Rockville, Md.
301-424-1427


**Potomac Disposal, Inc
14815 Dover Road
Rockville
301-294-9700
 

BFI
301-336-1000


Junk Removal & Special Pickups
Mike's Hauling Service
9128 Walden Road
Silver Spring, Md. 20901
301-588-9171
 

Residential Drop Off...

The trash collection site on Hungerford Drive is convenient and the drop off site is easy to use. Just back up to the drop and empty your vehicle.

 

Residential Trash Collection Service

Damascus and Poolesville drop-off points

County service or private subscription?

Montgomery County is responsible for the collection of trash from 83,000 homes.  This service is provided through contracts with independent trash collection companies.   All other single-family and townhomes in the County have trash collection through private subscriptions directly with the trash haulers.  

County trash collection occurs in Collection Areas 1-5, which are located 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.

Find out whether your home has County or private subscription trash collection

Collection Frequency

Acceptable household trash accumulated daily by each household will be collected once a week from the curb.  Residents with physical disabilities can apply for special exemptions in order to receive collection at the house.  Applications can be ordered online or by calling 240-777-6410.

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

  1. 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.

  2. Your set out items must consist only of accumulated materials from normal housekeeping activities.

  3. If collection is suspended due to snow or severe weather, your trash will be picked up the next day or as soon as possible.  Visit our home page or 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

County Code regarding containers (Sect. 48-24)

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.

Billing

Residential property owners are billed a separate charge for trash collection service on their Property Tax bills.

Requests for refunds for service suspensions to property unoccupied for a minimum of sixty (60) consecutive days must be submitted in writing to the Division of Solid Waste Service, 101 Monroe Street, 6th Floor, Rockville, MD, 20850, seven (7) days before the property becomes unoccupied.  A second letter must be submitted upon the return of the occupant to start the process of the refund.

Missed pick-ups

If your trash was set out properly but was missed by the collector, call 240-777-6410 within 48 hours.  Do not remove your cans from the curb.  The contractor may collect your trash the same day or the next day. Please don't e-mail us for missed collections; your phone call allows us to respond immediately.

Special Collections

Each residential property receiving County trash collection is entitled to 5 special collections per calendar year for certain types of miscellaneous and/or bulky household trash.  These special collections must be scheduled in advance with the County by the occupant or resident.  The collection will then be made on your trash collection day.  All items must be placed at your curb by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection.   Collections are made between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

To schedule this service, call 240-777-6410 no later than 9:30 a.m. on the business day before your trash collection day.  Any calls received after 9:30 a.m. will be scheduled for the following week.  Please have a list of items to be picked up when calling.

Acceptable items for special collections include:
Furniture, rugs, bed springs, mattresses, large toys, porcelain or heavy molded plastic sinks, laundry trays, bath tubs, shower stalls, toilet bowls.

Appliances

Appliances are now picked up on your recycling day through the County's scrap metal recycling program.  There is no fee for this service.  Note that scrap metal pickups must be scheduled in advance of your recycling day.

Unacceptable Materials

The following materials cannot be collected curbside by the County at any time:

  • poisons, acids, caustics, gasoline, oil and other flammable substances, explosives, ammunition, television picture tubes, or other hazardous or dangerous materials (though many of these items may be taken to the County's frequent Household Hazardous Waste Collections;

  • human or animal fecal or uriniferous matter, infectious wastes, dead animals;

  • fencing, lumber, doors, windows (including storm doors and storm windows and screens), cabinets, shingles, gutters, plaster, plasterboard, bricks, blocks, or any materials resulting from building remodeling, repair, or construction;

  • soil, rocks, sod, tree trunks, limbs, or stumps resulting from tree removal;

  • parts of motor vehicles;

  • sheds and large dog houses.

So it's an unacceptable item.  Now what?!

Trash not acceptable for residential collection may be disposed by a resident at the County's Solid Waste Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD.

No disposal charge is made for trash delivered in privately-owned and operated vehicles, station wagons, and trailers with a capacity of under 500 pounds. Visit the Transfer Station page for a complete fee schedule.

Tree stumps and large parts of motor vehicles cannot be disposed at the Transfer Station.

Carcasses of small animals, not exceeding 100 pounds in weight, may be brought to the County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive, Rockville.

Safeguards for Collectors

Occupants must confine any and all animals that may interfere with collectors.   No containers, bundles, or materials may be placed in a hazardous location for collection.

Broken glass must be wrapped in paper to prevent injury to collectors.

Claims for Losses or Damages

If you have a loss or damage resulting from trash collection, notify the Division of Solid Waste Services within 10 days of the incident. 

The County and/or the collection Contractor will not be responsible for any items or materials not intended for collection which are placed in, or adjecent to, regular trash containers and which are removed by collectors.

Tips/Gratuities

Please do not offer tips or gratuities to trash collectors.  Property owners or occupants are requested to report any solicitations made by collectors and to avoid verbal contact with collectors.


 


 

Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services · Department of Public Works and Transportation
101 Monroe Street, 6th Floor · Rockville, Maryland 20850 · 240-777-6400 · fax: 240-777-6466 · info@mcrecycles.org

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