Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Forestville
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.
Dark (County-provided 64-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged within the cart. If using personal cans, they must be heavy-duty with tight-fitting lids. No single container or loose bag outside the cart can exceed 60 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste (double-bagged)
Blue (64-gallon cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic. Cardboard boxes must be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Mondays. Must be placed in the 32-gallon green organics cart, compostable paper yard bags, or bundled (branches max 4 feet long and 3 inches in diameter). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small brush and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week (on your regular trash day)
Placement
Place items adjacent to your trash cart by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer) on your regular collection day. Keep items clear of parked cars and utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be encased in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpets and rugs
- ✓ Large plastic items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap tires (requires appointment)
- ✕ Large appliances/white goods (requires appointment)
- ✕ Scrap metal and electronics (requires appointment)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Standard bulky collection is included in county services. Excessive materials resulting from an eviction, foreclosure, or whole-house cleanout are the responsibility of the homeowner to haul away privately.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Prince George's County uses a 'slide' schedule for major holidays. If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the rest of the week slide one day forward (e.g., Monday moves to Tuesday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Monday organics and yard trim collections also follow the slide schedule. If Monday is a holiday, yard waste is collected on Tuesday.
Collections operate on a normal schedule during Veterans Day, Native American Day, and Presidents' Day. Always check PGC311 during holiday weeks for exact date shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberTo protect sanitation workers from extreme temperatures, Prince George's County enacts a 'Beat the Heat' protocol. From late June through September, all curbside collections begin an hour earlier at 5:00 a.m. Ensure your carts are out the night before.
Winter
JanuaryLive, undecorated Christmas trees are collected curbside on Mondays throughout January alongside standard yard trim. Trees must be completely bare of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and metal stands. Do not place the tree in a plastic disposal bag.
Inclement Weather
December to MarchDuring heavy snow or ice storms, trash, recycling, and bulky collections may be suspended or delayed. Updates are broadcasted via PGC311 and the DoE website. If your cart gets buried by a plow, you must dig it out for the mechanical arm to reach it.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Public Convenience Center
3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Prince George's County Organics Composting Facility
6550 Maude Savoy Brown Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule an appointment for bulk trash pickup in Forestville?
For standard items like a sofa or a coffee table, no appointment is needed. You can place up to four bulky items at the curb on your regular trash collection day. However, if you are disposing of scrap tires, large appliances, scrap metal, or electronics, you must schedule an appointment via PGC311.
What are the rules for throwing away a mattress in Prince George's County?
For the health and safety of the sanitation workers, all mattresses and box springs placed at the curb must be completely sealed in a protective plastic encasement with a zipper or heavy tape. Unwrapped mattresses will not be collected.
When is yard waste and food scrap collection in Forestville?
Prince George's County collects organics, including yard trim and food scraps, county-wide every Monday. You must use your 32-gallon green cart, compostable paper yard bags, or tie branches in small bundles. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Why didn't they pick up my recycling?
The most common reason for missed recycling is plastic bag contamination. If you place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag, the crew will reject the cart. Additionally, ensure your cart is at the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. during summer 'Beat the Heat' months) and contains no hazardous waste or tanglers.