Inclement Weather Update
Some curbside trash, recycling and food scrap/yard trim collections were not collected on Monday due to the inclement weather. As a result, some collections are delayed this week.
About
The County provides curbside collection services to residences that pay a yearly trash and recycling fee ($325 per year) on their property tax bill. Fees for Main Street, Ellicott City may vary.
Curbside collections occur once a week between the hours of 6AM - 7PM. Pickup time may vary.
Collection Information
Trash Containers
Residents must purchase cans as the County does not provide trash containers. Reusable containers must be made of metal or tough plastic, equipped with handles and watertight, well-fitting lids.
Rules & Restrictions
- County-provided recycling (blue) and food scrap (green) containers cannot be used.
- Up to four (4) cans, bags or bundles will be collected weekly on your trash day.
- Each item must weigh less than 40 pounds. Bundles must be less than 4' in length and 18" in diameter.
- If the container is larger than 40 gallons, each bag inside is counted as one item.
- Disposable trash bags must be heavy gauge plastic that can be picked up and carried without tearing. Securely tie the top to prevent spillage.
- The clean-up of trash or recycling, especially in grouping areas, that is spilled and/or spread by animals or wind is the responsibility of the residents.
Items We Can't Accept
- Car parts (tires, wheels, batteries, etc.)
- Construction debris (concrete, drywall, lumber, carpet/rug, fencing, cabinets, appliances, etc.)
- Sinks and toilets
- Containers larger than 40-gallon containing loose trash will not be serviced
- Electronics including laptops, computer monitors, TVs, motorized toys, chairs with electric plugs, etc.
- Hazardous, toxic or flammable materials: asbestos, ammunition, explosives, compressed gas tanks, dead animals, firearms, medical waste, etc.
- Landscape debris (dirt, rocks, stumps, sod, etc.)
- Liquids (paint, cooking oil, chemicals, motor oil, etc.) Other liquids are prohibited.
- Mirrors/plate glass
- Paint cans (unless completely empty or dried with the lid off)
- Rechargeable batteries
Recycling Containers
Howard County provides residents with one free recycling container for recycling collection ONLY. No yard trim or trash will be collected in these carts.
Containers are assigned to each address and must remain at the house, even if the resident moves. Residents may put their street name and number on the container which will help it stay where it belongs.
Rules & Restrictions
- No plastic bags. Recycling must be set out in a County-provided recycling container, paper bag or cardboard box.
- No yard trim or trash. Only recycling items will be collected in these carts.
Please note: Howard County does NOT rely on the plastics numbering system to determine whether an item is recyclable in our curbside program. If you are unsure of an item, please refer to our detailed of acceptable material in our curbside program. If you do not see a particular material listed, please email us a description and/or photo of the item and we will answer any questions that you have.
Items We Accept
- Paper-- newspaper, office paper, junk mail, milk & egg cartons
- Plastic-- bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, trays, #5 plastics & large plastic items (playhouses, laundry baskets, etc.)
- Metal cans-- aluminum, steel cans and EMPTY aerosol cans
- Glass-- any color bottles or jars
- Cardboard-- clean and flattened (remove plastic liners, waxed paper and Styrofoam packaging material)
Items We Can't Accept
- Acrylic plastic
- Disposable "single-use" cups, plates, bowls, utensils (paper or plastic) See our dining & carryout guide on the right
- Food stained cardboard or paper
- Napkins, paper towels, tissues, thermal paper receipts
- Plastic bags or plastic-bagged material*
- Plastic clamshell containers and packaging
- Plastic film, wrap, bubble wrap, or air bags*
- Styrofoam*
- "Tanglers"-- hangers, wires, hoses, cords
- Textiles or clothing*
- Window glass, ceramics, mirrors
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FAQs
Explain curbside collections and include links here to the curbside collection guides in all the different languages.
Recycling, yard trim and trash is collected once a week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pickup time may vary. Items must be placed out after 6 p.m. the day before collection or before 6 a.m. the day of collection.
- Single-family homeowners must set items to be collected within five (5) feet of the nearest public road fronting their home.
- Place cans, bags, carts, etc. away from mailboxes on the opposite side of the driveway, if possible.
- Residents of townhome communities without garages are required to "group" items in designated areas accessible to the collectors such as the curb end of grass islands or at the end of parking areas. Do not block mailboxes or fire hydrants.
- After your items are collected, we recommend removing empty trash cans and recycling carts or bins from your curb (or grouping area) on your scheduled collection day to mitigate safety and aesthetic concerns.
No curbside collections on the following 6 holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Labor Day
- Memorial Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Independence Day
- Christmas Day
Please remember, all items to be collected must be out by 6 a.m. on the day of collection. Trash, recycling and yard trim collections scheduled on or after these 6 holidays ONLY will 'slide' and be made one day later that week. No other holidays will be affected.
Residents putting out items for donation (Purple Heart, Freecycle, etc.) should be sure to clearly mark those items and keep them close to the house to avoid accidental trash collection.