Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Adelphi
Maryland curbside collections typically run weekly (Monday-Friday). Your specific household collection day is determined by your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
Maryland MDE requires strict separation of yard trim from standard refuse, and mandates food scrap diversion under state law.
Grey/Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be bagged inside the cart to prevent littering. You may place one tightly tied, heavy-duty plastic bag (up to 60 lbs maximum) next to your cart if you experience temporary overflow.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Snack wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (tightly bagged)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must remain completely loose inside the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag, as this forces the Material Recovery Facility to discard the entire bag as trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paper products
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam products
- ✕Food debris
- ✕Tanglers like garden hoses and wires
- ✕Paper towels and napkins
Yard Waste Bin
Organics are collected exclusively on Mondays. Use the green 32-gallon organics cart, compostable paper yard bags, or a marked reusable container. Brush must be tied in bundles under 4 feet long. Plastic bags are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (in green cart only)
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and small brush
- ✓Untreated wood (small quantities)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (up to 4 eligible items without an appointment)
Placement
Ensure bulk items are placed out by 6:00 AM (or 5:00 AM in summer). Keep them reasonably clear of parked cars and mailboxes so the grapple trucks can operate safely.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, loveseats, and upholstered chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 324 sq ft)
- ✓ Wooden furniture and cabinets
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris and sheetrock
- ✕ Automobile parts and engines
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Scrap tires and large appliances (requires appointment)
Standard residential bulk collection is covered by your county waste fees. Scheduling white goods or scrap tires via PGC311 is also provided at no extra charge to eligible residents.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Prince George's County operates on a slide schedule. If a county-observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and all subsequent days that week are delayed by exactly one day.
Yard Waste Exception
If the holiday falls on a Monday, the Monday organics route shifts to Tuesday, which subsequently pushes the regular Tuesday-Friday trash routes out by one day as well.
Scrap tire and appliance appointments scheduled via PGC311 are also subject to holiday delays and will be communicated upon booking.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June, July, August, SeptemberUnder the 'Beat the Heat' schedule (June 30 - Sept 30), all collection operations begin at 5:00 AM. Always set your bins out the night before during these months.
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are picked up alongside yard trim on Mondays. Ensure you have completely removed all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the metal stand. Do not place the tree inside a plastic disposal bag.
Autumn
October, November, DecemberDuring peak leaf drop, remember that the county does not operate loose-leaf vacuum trucks in Adelphi. All autumn leaves must be bagged in paper compostable bags or placed in your green organics cart for Monday collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill
3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Materials Accepted
Missouri Avenue Solid Waste Acceptance and Recycling Center
12701 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, MD 20613
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Monday Organics program in Adelphi?
Every Monday, Prince George's County collects yard trim and food scraps countywide. Residents can use their specialized green 32-gallon organics cart or heavy-duty paper yard bags to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and kitchen scraps together.
Do I need to call the county before throwing out an old couch?
No, an advance appointment is not required for couches and non-metal furniture. You can simply place up to four bulky, non-metal items next to your standard trash cart on your normal collection day.
Why didn't they take my mattress during bulk pickup?
In Prince George's County, mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in a protective plastic encasement before being placed at the curb. This is a mandatory health and safety regulation to protect sanitation workers.
What happens to my trash pickup if there is a Monday holiday?
If a recognized holiday falls on a Monday, the dedicated Monday organics and yard trim collection shifts to Tuesday. Consequently, all standard trash and recycling collections for the rest of the week will also slide one day forward, ending with Friday collections occurring on Saturday.