Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for California
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.
Varies (Private Hauler) or Self-Provided Bags (County Centers) Bin (Trash)
If utilizing the county Convenience Centers, residents with a permit sticker can dispose of up to four 35-gallon containers of trash per load at no charge. If using a private hauler, follow their specific cart regulations.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Varies (Private Hauler) or Designated Drop-Off Dumpsters (County Centers) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. When using the Convenience Centers, sort your clean, empty materials directly into the appropriate designated single-stream containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Tin, steel, and aluminum cans
- ✓Mixed paper, magazines, and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Hazardous waste containers
Yard Waste Bin
Prohibited from regular trash. Must be composted on-site, mulched, or brought to the St. Andrews Landfill (Green Waste fees apply for oversized loads). Never place yard waste in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small branches
- ✓Grass clippings (though grasscycling is preferred)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand via self-haul or private scheduling
Placement
Items must be transported safely to the St. Andrews Landfill scale house and unloaded in the directed drop-off zones.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ White goods (refrigerators, washers, freezers)
- ✓ Up to 5 passenger car tires
- ✓ Scrap metal
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial quantities of construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (outside of special collection events)
- ✕ Boats over 20 feet in length
White goods and up to 5 passenger tires are accepted for free. General bulky refuse in a standard pickup truck is $10 per load. Oversized loads are weighed and billed at $95 per ton.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The St. Andrews Landfill and all St. Mary's County Convenience Centers are completely closed on these major holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
Not applicable for county drop-off; facility is simply closed.
If you subscribe to a private curbside hauler in California, MD, their holiday slide schedules may differ. Always verify directly with your chosen provider.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - AugustDuring peak lawn-mowing season, the county strictly enforces its grasscycling and composting mandates to conserve landfill space. Do not attempt to bag grass clippings for standard trash disposal.
Winter
JanuaryEvery January, the county sets up special Christmas tree drop-off zones. The collected trees are then ground into approximately 20 tons of mulch at the St. Andrews Landfill.
Spring
April - MayThe St. Andrews Landfill sees a surge in usage during spring cleaning. Keep an eye on the county calendar to safely dispose of oversized loads of yard waste and brush at the discounted Green Waste fee of $50 per ton.
Drop-off Facilities
St. Andrews Landfill
44837 St. Andrews Church Road, California, MD 20619
Materials Accepted
Oakville Convenience Center
26630 North Sandgates Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California, MD have city-provided trash pickup?
No. Because California is a census-designated place within St. Mary's County, there is no government-run curbside trash collection [1.4.2]. Residents must either hire a private hauler or drop off their waste at a county Convenience Center or the local St. Andrews Landfill.
How do I get a permit to use the St. Mary's County Convenience Centers?
To drop off household trash, you need a Residential Disposal Permit Sticker displayed on your windshield. This is covered by the $60 Environmental and Solid Waste Service Fee, which is typically billed automatically on your annual property tax bill.
Where can I dispose of an old refrigerator or washer in California, MD?
You can haul 'white goods' like refrigerators, washers, and dryers to the St. Andrews Landfill right on St. Andrews Church Road, where they are accepted completely free of charge for proper recycling.
Can I put yard waste or grass clippings in my regular trash bags?
No. Maryland state law restricts putting yard waste and grass clippings into landfills. You are encouraged to grasscycle, compost at home, or bring yard debris to the landfill for a specialized green waste processing fee.