Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fairland
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 by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection limits, bin sizes, and placement times are governed entirely by your contract with your chosen private hauling company. Bins must typically be at the curb by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Bagged garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
Blue Bin (Commingled) and Blue Cart (Paper) Bin (Recycling)
Place both the Blue Bin and Blue Cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your assigned collection day. Do not put recyclables inside plastic bags. Keep paper dry in the Blue Cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (Blue Bin)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans (Blue Bin)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (Blue Bin)
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard (Blue Cart)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, chains)
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Use paper bags, clearly labeled reusable bins, or tie brush into bundles (max 4 feet long). Each bag/bundle must weigh under 45 lbs. Plastic bags are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
- ✓Live Christmas trees (decoration-free)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request via private hauler or county scrap metal portal
Placement
Schedule county scrap metal pickups online by 11:59 p.m. the day before your recycling day. Keep metal separate from your private trash bins.
Accepted
- ✓ Scrap metal and large appliances (via County Request)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses (via Private Hauler)
- ✓ Bicycles and metal grills (via County Request)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Debris from major remodeling (drywall, fencing)
- ✕ Auto parts
County scrap metal pickup is free. Private haulers set their own rates for non-metal bulk. You can drop off loads of standard trash under 500 lbs for free at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County recycling follows a 'slide schedule' for recognized county holidays. If a holiday falls on or before your collection day, service will slide one day later for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trim collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as the county recycling pickups.
Because your trash is collected by a private company, their holiday schedule may differ from the county's recycling schedule. You must contact your private hauler to confirm trash delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring the peak leaf drop season, take advantage of the weekly yard trim pickup. Always bag leaves in compostable paper bags or labeled reusable bins. Raking leaves loosely into the street is prohibited.
Winter
December - MarchWinter storms can disrupt the county's recycling schedule. If inclement weather forces a cancellation, collections typically slide one day later. Always verify with your private hauler regarding their specific trash delay policies.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryMontgomery County collects live Christmas trees year-round as part of the weekly yard trim service. Remove all tinsel, ornaments, and metal stands, and place the unbagged tree at the curb by 7:00 AM on your recycling day.
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for picking up my trash in Fairland?
Because Fairland is an unincorporated area, Montgomery County does not provide municipal trash collection. Homeowners must set up a subscription with a private hauler or utilize a hauler contracted by their HOA. The county, however, provides your recycling service.
How do I sort my recycling in Montgomery County?
The county uses a dual-stream system. You must place commingled glass, metal cans, and rigid plastics in the smaller Blue Bin. All clean paper and flattened cardboard must go into the larger wheeled Blue Cart. Never use plastic bags.
How do I get rid of an old appliance or metal grill?
Montgomery County offers free curbside Scrap Metal collection for items that are 51% or more metal. You can schedule a pickup online by 11:59 p.m. the day before your scheduled recycling collection day.
Where can I take extra trash or remodeling debris?
Montgomery County residents can haul extra trash, renovation debris, and household hazardous waste to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station in Derwood. Remarkably, residential trash loads weighing less than 500 pounds are accepted completely free of charge.