Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Beltsville
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.
County-issued 64-gallon cart (or resident-provided up to 60 lbs) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent windblown litter. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in the summer).
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Cold ashes (bagged)
Blue County-issued cart (or yellow bins) Bin (Recycling)
Never bag your recyclables. All accepted materials must be tossed loosely into the blue cart to ensure they can be safely sorted at the materials recovery facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Collected exclusively on Mondays. Must be placed in the county-issued green organics cart, heavy-duty paper yard bags, or an unlined rigid container. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and brush
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy)
- ✓Soiled pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your standard trash collection day
Placement
Place your items near the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer). Ensure items do not block sidewalks, mailboxes, or pedestrian pathways.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 324 sq. ft.)
- ✓ Two extra tightly tied trash bags (up to 60 lbs each)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap tires (requires PGC311 appointment)
- ✕ Large appliances/white goods (requires PGC311 appointment)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
The weekly two-item pickup is included in your standard county waste services fee. Scrap tires and appliance appointments are also free but require advance booking.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Prince George's County operates on a 'slide' schedule for major holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekday, your collection day and all subsequent days that week are pushed back by one day, resulting in a Saturday pickup for Friday routes.
Yard Waste Exception
Because organics are collected county-wide on Mondays, a Monday holiday will automatically shift all yard waste and compost collections to Tuesday.
Appointments for special services (like scrap tires and white goods) are not scheduled on observed county holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberAll trash, recycling, and organics collections begin at 5:00 a.m. during the summer months to protect crews from the heat. Please ensure all carts are at the curb the evening prior.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf drop, remember that loose leaves raked to the curb are not collected. All leaves must be bagged in paper yard sacks or placed in your green organics cart for Monday collection.
Winter
December to FebruaryIn the event of snow or ice, collections may be delayed or suspended for safety. Prince George's County typically utilizes a slide schedule for weather delays. Download the PGC311 app for real-time notifications.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Public Convenience Drop-off Center
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
Do I need to schedule a bulk pickup for a mattress in Beltsville?
No appointment is needed for a mattress. You can place it at the curb as one of your two allowed bulky items on your regular trash day. However, it is highly recommended to wrap it in plastic for sanitary reasons.
How do I dispose of an old refrigerator or washing machine?
Large appliances (known as white goods) and scrap tires are not accepted as standard weekly bulky items. You must schedule a specific collection appointment for these items by calling 311 or using the PGC311 online portal.
What happens if my county-issued trash cart breaks?
If your wheeled cart is damaged through normal wear and tear, you can submit a repair or replacement request via the PGC311 app or by calling 311. The county will send a team to fix or swap the cart at no extra charge.
Can I put meat and bones in my yard waste cart?
Yes. Beltsville is part of the Prince George's County curbside composting program, which means your green cart accepts all food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, and soiled paper products like pizza boxes.