Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Friendly
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.
County-issued 64-gallon wheeled cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged before being placed in the 64-gallon cart to prevent loose littering in the neighborhood. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. during the summer 'Beat the Heat' schedule).
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Bundled bamboo (under 4 feet)
County-issued 64-gallon blue wheeled cart Bin (Recycling)
Never bag your recyclables. Items must remain completely loose inside the blue 64-gallon recycling cart so they do not jam the single-stream sorting machinery at the processing facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers, jugs, and bottles
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Hazardous waste containers
Yard Waste Bin
Collected exclusively on Mondays. Place organics in the county-issued 32-gallon green cart, or in heavy-duty paper yard bags. Limbs must be tied in bundles (max 4 feet long). No plastic bags are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and brush
- ✓Household food scraps
- ✓Christmas trees (seasonal)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash day
Placement
Place items directly NEXT to your trash cart by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer). Do not block sidewalks, mailboxes, or place items in common areas.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be covered in plastic)
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to size and tied)
- ✓ Large plastic toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and home remodeling debris
- ✕ Eviction or foreclosure cleanouts
- ✕ Uncovered mattresses
- ✕ Scrap tires and white goods (appliances)
Standard 4-item weekly bulk collection is included in the county waste fee. White goods and scrap tires require an appointment and processing via PGC311.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all scheduled collections on or after that day slide to one day later in the week (e.g., Thursday collections will shift to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Since organics and yard trim are collected on Mondays, a Monday holiday pushes all organics collections to Tuesday.
The county strictly adheres to this slide schedule; always check the Prince George's DoE holiday calendar to confirm exact date adjustments.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
Late June to September 30The 'Beat the Heat' protocol shifts the collection start time for all Friendly routes to 5:00 a.m [1.2.2]. Place all carts out the night before to guarantee you are not skipped by the early trucks.
Winter
December to FebruarySevere winter weather like snow and ice frequently delays trash and recycling routes. Monitor the DoE website or the PGC311 app for 'slide schedules' and cancellation alerts following a major winter storm.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryReal Christmas trees are collected alongside regular Monday yard trim. Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and metal stands before placing the tree at the curb. Absolutely do not place the tree in a plastic bag.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Convenience Center
3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill
11611 White House Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Friendly use a sliding schedule for holidays?
Yes. Because Friendly relies on Prince George's County waste services, any weekday holiday pushes all subsequent collections that week to one day later (for example, a Tuesday pickup will happen on Wednesday).
Do I need an appointment for bulk trash in Friendly?
For up to four standard household bulky items like a sofa, table, or wrapped mattress, no appointment is required. Just place them next to your trash cart on your regular collection day. However, appliances and scrap tires still require an appointment through PGC311.
Can I mix food scraps with my grass clippings?
Yes! The county's organics composting program allows you to mix kitchen food scraps directly with your yard trim inside your green 32-gallon wheeled cart, which is collected every Monday.
What is the 'Beat the Heat' schedule?
To protect sanitation workers from severe summer weather, Prince George's County shifts all collection start times from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. between late June and September 30. Residents are strongly urged to set out their carts the night before to avoid missed collections.