Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Washington
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.
Grey or Black 64-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
All household refuse must be bagged and placed inside the provided wheeled cart with the lid closed. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. during summer months).
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Securely bagged trash
Blue 64-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be emptied, lightly rinsed, and tossed loosely into the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic containers (numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and #6 plastics
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Mondays only. Use the green 32-gallon organics cart or heavy-duty paper yard bags. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and brush
- ✓Live Christmas trees
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly with regular trash
Placement
Place accepted items next to your regular trash bin by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer). Do not block sidewalks, driveways, or mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 324 sq. ft.)
- ✓ Doors and cabinets (limit of 3)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Materials from foreclosures or evictions
Standard bulk collection is free and included with county services. White goods (appliances) and scrap tires require an advance appointment through PGC311.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Prince George's County follows a slide schedule. If a county-observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections scheduled on or after that holiday slide one day later for the remainder of the week (e.g., Friday pickups occur on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Monday organics and yard trim collections will slide to Tuesday if a holiday (like Memorial Day or Labor Day) falls on a Monday.
Subscribe to PGC311 alerts to receive automated holiday schedule reminders.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June 30 - September 30To protect sanitation workers from extreme temperatures, Prince George's County implements a 'Beat the Heat' schedule. During these months, all curbside collections begin at 5:00 a.m. Ensure your bins are out early or the night before.
Winter
December - MarchIn the event of a one-day weather suspension due to snow or ice, all collections slide one day later for the rest of the week. If a storm causes a two-day suspension, Monday yard trim collections are pushed to the following Monday.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be left at the curb for collection on your regular Monday organics day. Ensure all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and metal stands are completely removed.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill & Convenience Center
3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Missouri Avenue Solid Waste Acceptance and Recycling Center
12701 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, MD 20613
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my trash out in Fort Washington?
For most of the year, bins must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. However, during the 'Beat the Heat' summer schedule (June 30 to September 30), you must place your bins out by 5:00 a.m. to protect crews from peak temperatures.
How do I throw away an old mattress?
You can leave your old mattress next to your regular trash bin on collection day without calling for an appointment. However, Prince George's County strictly requires that all mattresses and box springs be completely sealed in a protective plastic cover before being placed at the curb.
When does yard waste get picked up?
Organics and yard trim are collected countywide every Monday. You should place food scraps and lawn debris in your green 32-gallon cart. Excess yard waste can be placed in compostable paper bags, but never in plastic bags.
Do I need to schedule a bulk trash pickup?
For standard items like couches, tables, or bagged household goods, you do not need an appointment. You can set out up to 4 items next to your trash. You only need to contact PGC311 to schedule an appointment for large appliances (white goods), scrap metal, tires, and electronics.