Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Columbia
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same designated day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Yard trim is collected weekly on your regular collection day from April through mid-January (or year-round for neighborhoods enrolled in the Feed the Green Bin program).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or after 6:00 PM the evening before; summer collection begins at 5:00 AM)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are billed annually as a dedicated line item on your Howard County property tax bill rather than a separate monthly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (included on property tax bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Howard County offers a 0.5% early payment discount on property taxes paid in July, up to a 60% fee credit for eligible low-income homeowners, and Senior / Aging-in-Place property tax credits for residents aged 65 and older.
Resident-provided bin (or heavy-duty bags) Bin (Trash)
Up to 4 items (cans, bags, or bundles) per week. Must be under 40 lbs each. Set out after 6 PM the night before or before 6 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue County-issued cart or bin Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue bin. Do not bag recyclables. Do not use the blue recycling cart for trash or yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard boxes
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Place in paper yard bags or reusable containers. Bundles of brush cannot exceed 4 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment
Placement
Place items at the curb within 5 feet of the roadway by the night before collection. Items must be less than 6 feet in width and safely manageable by two workers.
Accepted
- ✓ Broken furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Non-metal bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Mirrors or plate glass
- ✕ Pianos
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Computer monitors
Bulk trash collections are included at no extra charge for residents who receive standard County trash services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Howard County utilizes a 'Holiday Slide Schedule.' If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all curbside collections scheduled on or after that day are delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trim and food scrap collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as trash and recycling.
The Alpha Ridge Landfill is closed on these six major holidays, though it remains open for many minor federal holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - SeptemberDue to Maryland occupational heat stress regulations, summer collection routes often start an hour earlier, at 5:00 a.m. Ensure your bins are placed at the curb the night before to avoid missing your pickup.
Spring and Autumn
April - NovemberHousehold Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as old paint, pesticides, and pool chemicals is only accepted at the Alpha Ridge Landfill on Saturdays from April through November.
Winter
December - JanuaryHoward County runs a 'Merry Mulch' program for holiday tree recycling. Ensure all tinsel, lights, and ornaments are removed before placing the tree at the curb on your designated yard trim day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans? Where to Turn Your Recyclables in Columbia!
Looking to make a few bucks while being good to the planet? While Howard County doesn't have a widespread bottle and can redemption program like some states, don't let that stop you! Your best bet for getting cash for metals and other recyclables is to check out local scrap yards. A quick online search for 'scrap metal recycling Columbia MD' will point you towards places like Howard County Metal Recycling or similar facilities. They're usually happy to take metals, old appliances (if they're mostly metal), and other items, giving you a bit of cash back. It's a great way to clear out unwanted items and get a little something in return!
Got Stuff to Give? Columbia's Charities Could Use It!
Before you toss those gently used clothes, furniture, or household goods, think about giving them a second life! Columbia and the surrounding Howard County area are lucky to have some fantastic places that would love your donations. Check out the Goodwill Industries of the Greater Baltimore Area stores, as they have locations that serve the Columbia region. For larger items like furniture or building materials, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Jessup is a wonderful option – they resell donated items to fund their affordable housing projects. Giving away usable items not only helps others but also keeps good stuff out of the landfill.
Keeping Columbia Clean: Tackling Dumped Junk and Community Sweeps
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be! If you ever spot illegal dumping in Columbia or Howard County, the best thing to do is report it. The Howard County Department of Public Works is the go-to for this. They have a system for residents to report these issues, which helps them clean up and investigate. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events too – these are often organized by local neighborhood associations or environmental groups. Participating in these is a fantastic way to meet neighbors and make a real difference in keeping our shared spaces tidy and beautiful.
Drop-off Facilities
Alpha Ridge Landfill and Residents' Convenience Center
2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of trash can I put out in Columbia, MD?
Howard County enforces a maximum limit of four (4) cans, bags, or bundles of trash per week. Additionally, no single container or bundle can weigh more than 40 pounds.
How does the Holiday Slide Schedule work in Howard County?
When a major holiday (like Thanksgiving or Memorial Day) lands on a weekday, all collections for that day and the rest of the week are pushed back by one day. For example, Thursday pickups move to Friday, and Friday pickups move to Saturday.
Where can I take construction debris in Howard County?
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris, such as sinks, drywall, or roofing, is not accepted at the curb. You must haul these materials to the Transfer Station at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, where disposal fees will apply.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or lawnmower?
Large appliances and metal items cannot go with standard bulk trash. You must schedule a specific 'Scrap Metal' collection with Howard County (limited to two per year) or drop the items off at the Alpha Ridge Landfill.