Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bel Air North
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.
Depends on Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Requirements vary based on your selected private hauler. Generally, residents should place trash at the curb the night before or early morning on the scheduled collection day in securely tied bags inside a heavy-duty, hauler-approved container.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household waste
- ✓Bagged trash
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
Depends on Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Harford County utilizes a single-stream recycling system. Keep all approved items loose in the bin. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, as they will contaminate the load.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic jugs and containers (numbered 1-7)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean mixed paper and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (film plastics)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Hoses and wires
Yard Waste Bin
Private haulers may offer yard waste pickup for an extra fee. Alternatively, use the Tollgate Residential Drop-Off Facility. NO plastic bags are allowed; you must use paper bags, cardboard boxes, or empty the trim loose from reusable containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Flower and vegetable garden plant material
- ✓Brush and tree trimmings (maximum 6 feet long, 6 inches wide)
- ✓Christmas trees
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler subscription
Placement
If you arrange a bulk pickup with your hauler, place large items at the curb only on the morning of your scheduled special collection to prevent neighborhood blight and illegal dumping.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal (if taken to HWDC)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (unless during specific event)
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Tires (accepted at HWDC with specific fees)
Self-hauling to the Harford Waste Disposal Center (HWDC) incurs a tipping fee based on weight. Private haulers will charge independently for any curbside bulk pickups they perform.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collection in Bel Air North is managed by private subscription haulers, holiday schedules will vary. Most local haulers delay service by one day for major holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving pushes Thursday pickups to Friday, and Friday to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Harford County operated facilities, including the Tollgate Yard Trim Drop-Off and Harford Waste Disposal Center, close on all official county holidays, including Labor Day and Veteran's Day.
Always verify directly with your specific hauling company (such as Casella, Bartenfelder, or Harford County Trash Services) to confirm how holidays impact your exact route.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring and Summer
April - NovemberThe Tollgate Residential Yard Trim Drop-Off operates on an expanded schedule from April through November. During these months, the facility is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Winter
December - MarchDuring the slower winter months, the Tollgate facility scales back its operations. From December through March, it is open exclusively on Saturdays for brush, leaf, and Christmas tree disposal.
Late Summer and Fall
August and NovemberGather your old paints, pool chemicals, and pesticides for Harford County's bi-annual Household Hazardous Waste collection events, which typically take place in August and November at the Scarboro Road facility.
Drop-off Facilities
Harford Waste Disposal Center (HWDC)
3241 Scarboro Road, Street, MD 21154
Materials Accepted
Tollgate Residential Yard Trim Drop-Off
703 North Tollgate Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash pickup in Bel Air North?
Bel Air North is an unincorporated census-designated place within Harford County, meaning there is no municipal trash collection. Residents must set up an account with a county-licensed private hauler, such as Harford County Trash Services, Bartenfelder Sanitation, or Casella.
How does recycling work in Bel Air North?
While your private hauler collects your recycling, they must follow Harford County's single-stream guidelines. You can mix clean paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastics numbered 1-7 in your bin. You must never bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags.
Where can I take my yard waste and grass clippings?
Residents can easily drop off yard trim at the Tollgate Residential Drop-Off Facility located at 703 North Tollgate Road. It is strictly prohibited to leave yard waste in plastic bags; you must use kraft paper bags, cardboard boxes, or empty it loose from a reusable container.
What should I do with old paint, pesticides, and household chemicals?
Harford County hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events twice a year, typically in August and November, at the HWDC on Scarboro Road. You must bring a valid Maryland driver's license showing proof of county residency to safely dispose of these toxic materials.