Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bel Air South
Trash Day
Curbside trash collection is not provided by the county government. Bel Air South residents contract privately with licensed waste haulers (such as Bartenfelder, Casella, or Harford County Trash Services) or through their HOA, so pickup days vary based on your contracted provider.
Recycling
Recycling is collected by your contracted private waste hauler, typically on the same day as your trash service or on a weekly schedule set by the provider.
Yard Waste
Curbside collection depends on your private hauler's service plan. Residents can also self-haul yard waste to county drop-off sites such as the Tollgate Yard Trim Drop-Off or Harford Waste Disposal Center.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are not billed through county property taxes or municipal utilities; residents pay their chosen private hauler directly or via HOA fees.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly or Monthly (varies by private hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail (varies by private hauler)
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts for seniors, active/retired military, and first responders may be offered directly by individual private haulers.
Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Since collection is managed by private haulers, residents must use the bin provided by their subscribed company or an approved personal container, and place it at the curb by the time specified in their contract.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household putrescible waste
- ✓Everyday garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Varies (Any container marked with an 'X' or blue bag on handle) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loose in the container. Plastic bags foul up the single stream processing equipment and are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars
- ✓Rigid plastics (buckets, lawn furniture)
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Liquid waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard trim is not collected curbside by the county. Drop off at Tollgate Road or HWDC. Material must be loose, in paper bags, or in reusable containers. NO plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and bush trimmings (max 6 ft long, 6 inches wide)
- ✓Christmas trees
- ✓Flower and vegetable garden plant material
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings (max 6 ft long, 6 inches wide)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler or self-hauled to HWDC anytime during operating hours
Placement
If scheduling with a private hauler, place bulk items at the curb per their specific instructions. If self-hauling to HWDC, be prepared to unload the items yourself and arrive before 2:30 p.m. on busy Saturdays.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Bookshelves
- ✓ Used carpeting
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Cushions
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Friable asbestos
- ✕ Chemicals in commercial containers
- ✕ Large construction/demolition debris limits apply
Private haulers usually charge extra for curbside bulk pickups. When self-hauling to the HWDC, standard county disposal fees apply depending on the weight and type of material.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Curbside trash and recycling holiday schedules are determined by your independent private hauler. However, the county-run Harford Waste Disposal Center and Tollgate Drop-off are closed on Sundays and all official Harford County holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
The Tollgate Yard Trim Drop-Off is closed on county holidays and operates on reduced days depending on the season.
Contact your contracted waste hauler directly to confirm if your specific curbside pickup will be delayed by one day during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchThe Tollgate Yard Trim drop-off facility switches to its restricted winter schedule. During these months, it is only open to residents on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Spring/Summer/Fall
April - NovemberTo accommodate heavy landscaping and lawn mowing debris, the Tollgate Road yard trim site expands its operating hours, opening on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Holidays
Year-RoundBecause residential collection in Bel Air South is privatized, holiday trash delays vary. You must check directly with your licensed collector to see if major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas will push your pickup day back by one day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Aluminum Cans into Cash Near Bel Air South?
Got a stash of empty cans and bottles gathering dust? While Maryland doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program like some other states, you can still get a little something back for certain recyclables. For items like scrap metal, you'll want to look into local scrap yards. Places like the Aberdeen Iron & Metal Company, though a short drive away in Aberdeen, often pay for metals like aluminum, copper, and steel. It's always a good idea to call ahead to see what they're currently accepting and their current prices before you haul your haul.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the Bel Air Area
Before you toss items that are still in good shape, consider donating them! In the broader Harford County area, organizations like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Edgewood are always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials to support their mission. For clothing, housewares, and smaller items, local thrift stores and charities are fantastic options. Keep an eye out for specific donation drives or look up charities in Bel Air itself; they often have specific needs they're trying to fill for community members.
Keeping Bel Air South Litter-Free: Reporting Shenanigans and Joining the Cause
Seeing litter or illegal dumping around town is a bummer for everyone. If you notice something that shouldn't be there, the best bet is usually to report it to your local municipality or county. In Harford County, you can typically contact the Department of Public Works or a specific code enforcement office to let them know the location and details. Sometimes, there are also community clean-up events organized by local groups or the town itself. Participating in these is a great way to meet neighbors and directly contribute to a cleaner Bel Air South.
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
Does Harford County provide municipal trash collection in Bel Air South?
No, Harford County does not manage or perform residential trash pickup. Bel Air South residents must either hire a privately licensed hauler (such as Casella or Bartenfelder) or transport their own waste to the Harford Waste Disposal Center on Scarboro Road.
How do I get a recycling bin if I live in Bel Air South?
Harford County does not supply standard recycling bins due to economic feasibility. However, residents can use almost any container—like a spare trash can or laundry basket. Just draw a large 'X' on the side or tie a blue plastic bag to the handle so your private hauler knows it contains single-stream recyclables.
Where can I drop off yard waste near Bel Air South?
Residents can utilize the Tollgate Residential Yard Trim Drop-Off at 703 North Tollgate Road. Keep in mind that yard trim is strictly not accepted in plastic bags; it must be loose, in paper bags, or in reusable totes.
How do I dispose of hazardous household items like old paint and chemicals?
Harford County organizes Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events periodically throughout the year. You must hold on to your hazardous materials until one of these scheduled events and provide proof of county residency when dropping them off.