Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burtonsville
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.
Resident's Choice / HOA Standard Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in tightly sealed bags or rigid, water-tight containers with tight-fitting lids. Cans should generally be between 15 and 45 gallons and not exceed 45 pounds to ensure safe lifting by crews.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Commingled) & Blue Cart with Yellow Lid (Paper) Bin (Recycling)
Montgomery County uses a dual-stream system. Commingled glass/plastic/metal goes in the open blue bin. Paper/cardboard goes in the wheeled cart, bundled, or in paper bags. Never mix the two streams.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and tubs (#1-#7)
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed office paper and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Hazardous chemical containers
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in compostable paper yard bags, bundled with twine, or placed in a reusable 45-gallon can marked with a county 'Yard Trim' decal. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Brush and garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 5 times per calendar year
Placement
Place items adjacent to your regular household trash by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Keep them distinctly separated from your dual-stream recycling and yard trim.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, wooden tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolled carpet and rugs
- ✓ Large plastic items (patio furniture)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items that are 51% or more metal
- ✕ Grand pianos
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (bricks, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Auto parts
The five yearly pickups are free for county-serviced homes. If you use a private hauler via your HOA, you must contact them directly as their bulk fees and rules will differ.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County operates on a 'slide' schedule. If your regular collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, ending on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as standard refuse collection.
If a major holiday falls on a weekend, collection schedules for the following weekdays typically remain unchanged. Always verify on the MC311 portal during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryCurbside Christmas tree collection takes place throughout January on your regular recycling day. Trees must be completely bare—remove all lights, metal stands, tinsel, and ornaments. Do not place the tree in a plastic disposal bag.
Spring
March to MayThe yard trim collected from Burtonsville and surrounding towns is composted at a county facility and turned into 'Leafgro.' This high-quality soil conditioner is available for purchase at local garden centers to help residents enrich their spring gardens.
Fall
November to DecemberWhile weekly yard trim collection continues year-round, residents in certain designated zones may also be eligible for the county's specialized curbside vacuum leaf collection in the late fall. Check the Montgomery County Highway Services map for your exact street's eligibility.
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling in Burtonsville single-stream or dual-stream?
Burtonsville, along with the rest of Montgomery County, operates on a strict dual-stream system. This means you must manually separate your mixed paper and cardboard from your commingled glass, plastic, and metal cans before putting them out for collection.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or washing machine in Burtonsville?
Large appliances are mostly metal and cannot be picked up as standard bulk trash. You must schedule a specific 'Scrap Metal' collection through the MC311 system. Be sure to remove all doors from refrigerators and freezers before placing them at the curb.
Do I have to pay to use the Shady Grove Transfer Station in Derwood?
If you are a Montgomery County resident, you can dispose of loads of regular household trash or bulk items weighing under 500 pounds completely free of charge. You simply need to provide proof of residency. Loads exceeding 500 pounds will incur a tipping fee.
Can I put my fall leaves out in standard black trash bags?
No. Montgomery County prohibits yard trim from being disposed of in plastic bags. All leaves, grass, and brush must be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags or in a reusable trash can (up to 45 gallons) marked with a county 'Yard Trim' decal.