Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for College Park
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste and recycling services for owner-occupied residences are funded through property taxes billed annually by Prince George's County. Single-family rental properties pay an annual refuse fee.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, Escrow
Pro Tip / Discount
Free behind-the-house pickup assistance is available for residents physically unable to roll carts to the curb.
Green (City-provided 95, 65, or 35-gallon carts) Bin (Trash)
All trash carts need to be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, or put out the night before. Carts must be removed from the curb before midnight on collection day. Contents must not exceed 75 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Domestic animal waste in plastic bags
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the blue cart. Never use plastic bags. Please gently rinse out food and beverage containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper and flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass food and beverage containers
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Narrow and wide-mouth plastic containers (#1, #2, #3, #5, #7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Polystyrene/Styrofoam (#6 plastic)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Hazardous materials and medical waste
- ✕Pizza boxes soiled with grease and cheese
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in paper yard waste bags, a rigid personal container, or tied into bundles with hemp rope or twine (max 50 lbs per bundle). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and tree branches (max 4 feet long, 4 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only.
Placement
Items must be set out neatly and separated by type by 7:00 a.m. on the day of the appointment. Appointments fill quickly, so call early in the week.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rugs and large bulky household items
- ✓ Lumber (less than 5 feet long, nails bent down)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (asphalt, soil, bricks, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and poisons
- ✕ Ammunition and explosives
- ✕ Household garbage
Fees apply for certain items: Appliances ($20), TVs and monitors ($20), and tires ($4 each). Extra heavy collections requiring specialized equipment or a crane cost $100 per hour.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When City offices are closed for a holiday, all refuse and recycling collections shift forward one day for the rest of the week (e.g., Monday moves to Tuesday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and special/bulk pickups may also shift or be limited to one specific pickup day per week during holiday weeks. Check DPW notices.
Parking meters and City parking lots are typically not enforced on City-observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall & Winter
Late October to JanuaryCollege Park runs an annual Curbside Leaf Collection program during these months. Residents can rake leaves to the curb for vacuum collection. These leaves are diverted from landfills to create the city's SMARTLEAF compost.
Winter
December to MarchSevere winter weather and snow emergencies can delay trash routes. If road conditions are dangerous, DPW will post service alerts and slide schedules on the City website and social media channels.
Holidays
Year-roundWhen City offices are closed for observed holidays, refuse and recycling collections shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Special collections may only be performed one day during a holiday week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Some Cash Back for Your Cans and Bottles Around College Park!
Did you know Maryland offers a way to turn those empty beverage containers into a little extra spending money? For every bottle and can that has the Maryland redemption value printed on it (usually 5 cents), you can take them to a redemption center. While College Park itself doesn't have a specific buyback center listed, you're likely to find options in nearby areas like Hyattsville or Greenbelt if you're looking to cash in on those recyclables. It's a great way to give your recycling efforts a little financial boost!
Giving Your Old Stuff a Second Life in College Park?
Before you toss something that's still in good shape, think about donating! For furniture or household goods that someone else could use, check out the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They have a location in Laurel that often accepts a wide range of items. Plus, places like the Goodwood Church of the Nazarene Thrift Shop in Hyattsville might be happy to take clothing, books, and other smaller items. It's a fantastic way to keep usable things out of the landfill and help out your neighbors.
Keeping College Park Clean: What to Do About Dumping or Special Hauls
If you happen to see anything that looks like illegal dumping happening in College Park, it's super helpful to report it! The city has a Public Works department that handles this, and you can reach out to them. For bulky items that don't fit in your regular bin, remember to check the city's guidelines for special collections. You can usually schedule these by giving Public Works a call or sending an email, making sure your neighborhood stays tidy for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
College Park DPW Electronics & Styrofoam Drop-off
Davis Hall - 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Materials Accepted
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill
1101 SE Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a bulk trash pickup in College Park?
Bulk and special trash are collected strictly by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. You must call the DPW at 240-487-3590 to schedule a pickup. Appointments fill up fast, so call early in the week. Remember, single-family homes get four free pickups per fiscal year.
Do I need to wrap my mattress for bulk pickup?
Yes. College Park strictly requires that all mattresses and box springs be fully wrapped in a plastic mattress bag before being placed at the curb. If they are not wrapped, DPW crews will leave them behind.
How do I get a new trash or recycling cart if mine is broken?
The City provides up to two green refuse carts at no cost. If your cart is broken through normal wear and tear, the DPW will replace it or repair the lid for free. Just make sure you keep the cart clean, as heavily soiled carts will not be serviced or replaced.
Can I compost my food scraps through the City?
Yes! College Park offers an opt-in curbside food scrap collection program. Residents can purchase a cost-shared container from the City and place food scraps (including meat, dairy, and bones) at the curb every Tuesday for local composting.