Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bowie
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice weekly by neighborhood zone: either Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once a week on your neighborhood's assigned day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday).
Yard Waste
Wednesdays citywide
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (6:00 AM during July & August)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash and recycling collection are standard city services, while municipal water and sewer utilities are billed quarterly for serviced properties.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Direct Debit), Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying low-income residents may apply for an exemption from the Maryland Bay Restoration Fee and the City Pipe Repair & Replacement Fee.
Resident-provided Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in a trash can with a secure lid to prevent wildlife disturbances. All food and pet waste must be bagged inside the can. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household refuse
- ✓Food waste and scraps (must be bagged)
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (must be bagged)
- ✓Dried latex paint (unbagged cans with lids off)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Bowie uses single-stream recycling. Use the city-delivered recycling cart, a blue bin from City Hall, or any sturdy container clearly marked 'RECYCLING'. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper, cardboard, and paperboard
- ✓Plastic containers, bottles, and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and metal food/beverage cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕#4 and #6 plastics
- ✕Plastic bags, wrap, or cellophane
- ✕Medical needles and syringes
- ✕Unrinsed food containers
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Wednesdays. Must be placed in paper lawn bags or reusable containers. Never use plastic bags. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. (or 6:00 a.m. in July and August).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small branches
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected on regular trash days (twice a week) for standard items.
Placement
Place next to standard trash containers by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Condominiums and apartments are excluded from curbside bulk collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Wooden and upholstered furniture
- ✓ Large plastic toys
- ✓ Glass doors and mirrors (wrapped in cardboard and taped)
- ✓ Toilets (in a plastic bag or box)
- ✓ Carpet (cut in 4-foot lengths and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items 98% metal (requires Special Pickup)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Electronics
There is no additional fee for standard curbside bulk pickup or scheduled Special Pickups for eligible metal items; it is included in municipal city services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike cities that shift collection by one day, Bowie's twice-a-week schedule means that if a holiday falls on your collection day, the pickup is completely canceled for that day. You must hold your trash until your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard waste and Special Pickups will not occur if a major holiday falls on a Wednesday.
New Year's Day is often a unique exception where recycling (only) may still be collected, depending on the annual municipal calendar.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
July and AugustTo protect sanitation workers from severe summer heat, the City of Bowie adjusts its schedules and requires all yard waste to be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. instead of the standard 7:00 a.m. time.
Fall
Late October - DecemberThe city operates a neighborhood-by-neighborhood Curbside Vacuum Leaf Collection Program. During your scheduled week, rake loose leaves directly to the curb on Monday morning without bagging them.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees can typically be recycled curbside during regular yard waste collection days. However, artificial Christmas trees that you wish to throw away require a scheduled Wednesday Special Pickup because of their metal components.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Extra Scrap? Turn Your Old Junk into Cash in Bowie!
Hey Bowie neighbors! Did you know you can sometimes make a few bucks off of metal items you're getting rid of? While Maryland doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program like some other states, local scrap yards are often happy to take your old metal appliances or other metallic odds and ends. If you've got a good amount of metal, it's worth a quick call to a place like Metro Scrap & Salvage or similar yards in the greater DC area to see what they'll buy. It's a win-win: you clear out clutter and get a little something back!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Bowie
Before you toss something that's still in decent shape, think about donating it! Bowie has some fantastic options right nearby. The Community Support Services (CSS) Thrift Store is a great place to drop off clothes, household goods, and furniture that someone else can use. Another wonderful choice is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Glen Burnie, which accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials. Your donation helps support great local causes and keeps good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Bowie Clean: Reporting Dumping & Community Efforts
Let's keep our Bowie neighborhoods looking their best! If you ever spot someone illegally dumping trash, it's super important to report it. You can usually report illegal dumping directly to the City of Bowie's Public Works Department or the Prince George's County Department of the Environment. They have systems in place to investigate and clean up these messes. Also, keep an eye out for community cleanup events organized by local groups or the city itself – pitching in is a great way to show pride in our town!
Drop-off Facilities
Prince George's County Household Hazardous Waste Acceptance Site
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill, 11611 White House Road, Upper Marlboro, MD
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress in Bowie?
Mattresses can be picked up on either of your two regularly scheduled trash collection days. You do not need to call ahead or make an appointment, but the mattress must be completely wrapped in plastic or placed inside a mattress disposal bag before being put at the curb.
Does the city collect large appliances or metal items?
Yes, but they require a 'Special Pickup' appointment. Items that are at least 98% metal, such as washing machines, file cabinets, or lawnmowers (with all fluids drained), are collected exclusively on Wednesdays. You must schedule this service by noon on the Tuesday prior.
What should I do with leftover paint?
If it is latex (water-based) paint, you can dry it out completely using kitty litter or by leaving the lid off, and then place it unbagged in your regular household trash. Oil-based paints are considered hazardous and must be taken to the Brown Station Road Landfill in Upper Marlboro.
What happens to my trash pickup if it snows or there is a holiday?
Because Bowie offers twice-a-week trash collection, the city does not shift schedules by one day for holidays. If a city holiday falls on your normal trash day, your collection is simply canceled for that day, and you will need to hold your waste until your next scheduled pickup day.