Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bethesda
Trash Day
Curbside collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone and service district.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once weekly on your assigned service day.
Yard Waste
Yard trim is collected weekly on the same day as your recycling.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (or after 5:00 PM the evening prior).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and disposal services are billed annually as part of the Montgomery County Solid Waste Charge on your property tax bill rather than a monthly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior Citizen and Homeowners Property Tax Credits are available through Montgomery County for qualifying low-to-moderate income residents and seniors.
Any standard bin with a tight-fitting lid (or heavy-duty bags) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. If you use a private hauler, follow their specific bin weight and placement guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Bin (Commingled) & Blue Cart (Paper) Bin (Recycling)
Dual-stream is mandatory. Separate commingled plastics/metals/glass into the Blue Bin, and paper/cardboard into the Blue Cart or a paper bag. Set out by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers #1-#7 (except #6)
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam (plastic #6)
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza grease
- ✕Tissues or paper towels
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper yard trim bags or a reusable can with a green 'Yard Trim' sticker. Brush must be bundled with twine, no larger than 30 inches in diameter and 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
5 collections per calendar year (for County trash customers)
Placement
Place approved items adjacent to your regular household trash by 7:00 a.m. on your normal collection day, keeping them distinct from yard trim and recycling.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (couches, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Non-metal cabinets or doors
- ✓ Up to 4 extra bags of standard trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap metal (schedule separately)
- ✕ Major construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Items with sides larger than 4 feet (e.g., grand pianos)
The 5 annual pickups are free for properties receiving County trash collection. HOA and subscription homes must pay their private hauler's rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County utilizes a 'Holiday Slide Schedule.' If an observed holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Monday moves to Tuesday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
County yard trim collection strictly follows the same Holiday Slide Schedule as recycling.
If your household relies on a private hauler for trash collection, you must contact them directly, as their holiday schedule may differ from the County's recycling schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring significant Mid-Atlantic snowstorms, Montgomery County DEP will suspend collection for safety. When service resumes, the entire schedule typically shifts forward by one day for the remainder of the week.
Autumn
October - DecemberFall foliage creates heavy yard trim volume. Ensure all leaves are securely packed in biodegradable paper bags. Do not rake leaves directly into the street or storm drains, as this violates County environmental regulations.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often requires bulky item removal. If you receive County trash service, remember to utilize your five free annual bulk pickups for items like old furniture, rather than illegally dumping them.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Bottles and Cans into Cold, Hard Cash Around Bethesda?
While Maryland doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program like some other states, you can still make a few bucks off your recyclables! For scrap metal, check out local places like Potomac Scrap Metal in Gaithersburg or Atlas Iron & Metal Co. in Silver Spring. They'll give you cash for things like old appliances (once you've removed any hazardous components) or metal furniture. It's a neat way to clear out the garage and get a little something back for it!
Giving Gently Used Stuff a New Home in Bethesda
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, think about donating! Around Bethesda, you've got options like The Secondhand and Vintage Store on Cordell Avenue, which supports local artists and causes. For furniture and household goods, Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Rockville is a fantastic place to drop off items that are still in usable condition. They help fund affordable housing projects, so your donation does double duty!
Keeping Bethesda Beautiful: Spotting and Stopping Illegal Dumping
Nobody likes seeing trash piled up where it shouldn't be. If you happen to spot illegal dumping in the Bethesda area, you can report it to Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection. They have a hotline and an online form to make it easy. Sometimes, there are also community clean-up events organized by local groups, which are a great way to pitch in and make our neighborhoods look even better. Keep an eye on local community boards or the county's website for announcements!
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for picking up my trash in Bethesda?
It depends on your exact address. Montgomery County DEP provides weekly curbside recycling and yard trim pickup for all single-family homes. However, only some Bethesda neighborhoods receive County-provided trash service. Many residents live in zones where they must hire a private, licensed waste hauler.
How do I get a new Blue Bin or Blue Cart?
If you need a new bin, or if you recently moved and your home does not have one, you can request a Blue Bin (for plastics/glass) or a Blue Cart (for paper) directly through the Montgomery County DEP website or by calling 311. Delivery usually takes about one week.
How does the Holiday Slide Schedule work?
When a County-observed holiday occurs on a weekday, all collections scheduled on or after that day are pushed back by one day. For example, if a holiday is on a Monday, Monday collections happen on Tuesday, and Friday collections happen on Saturday.
Can I throw a mattress out with my regular garbage?
No, mattresses must be scheduled as a bulk trash pickup. If you have County trash service, you can schedule it as one of your 5 free annual pickups by calling 311. If you use a private hauler, you must call them to arrange a special pickup and pay any associated fees.