Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Germantown
Trash Day
Trash pickup runs Monday through Friday, with collection assigned by neighborhood zone or HOA contractor.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as regular service (Monday through Friday).
Yard Waste
Yard trim is collected weekly year-round on your designated recycling collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
County-provided refuse and recycling services are billed annually as a solid waste charge on your Montgomery County property tax bill. Residents outside County refuse districts are billed separately through private haulers or HOA fees.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes) or Billed via Private Hauler/HOA
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Auto-Pay, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Montgomery County provides the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit and Senior Property Tax Credit programs for eligible low-to-moderate-income residents.
Any standard bin with a tight-fitting lid (or hauler-specific cart) Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. If you use a private hauler, you must adhere to their specific bin weight limits and placement guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Commingled) & Blue Cart/Paper Bags (Paper) Bin (Recycling)
Dual-stream is mandatory. Separate commingled containers (Blue Bin) from paper/cardboard (Blue Cart or paper bags). Set out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper yard bags or reusable containers marked with a 'Yard Trim' decal. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Brush bundles must be under 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
5 free collections per year (for County trash customers) / Unlimited Scrap Metal
Placement
Place scheduled items at the curb adjacent to your regular household trash by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Items must have at least one side less than 4 feet wide.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Non-metal bulky household goods
- ✓ Scrap metal/appliances (must be scheduled as a separate metal pickup)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris (drywall, bricks)
- ✕ Automotive parts over 60 lbs
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Propane tanks
Bulk pickup is free (up to 5 times per year) only for homes with County-provided trash service. HOA and private subscription homes must pay their private hauler's rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County operates on a 'Holiday Slide Schedule.' If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, your collection—and all collections for the rest of that week—will be delayed by exactly one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trim collections strictly follow the same Holiday Slide Schedule as recycling.
If you rely on a private hauler for your trash, you must verify their specific holiday schedule, as it may differ slightly from the County's recycling and yard trim slide schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryMontgomery County responds to severe Mid-Atlantic snowstorms by suspending collection to keep plows moving. When service is canceled due to snow, the entire schedule typically shifts forward by one day for the remainder of the week.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring fall foliage season, do not sweep or blow leaves into the street or storm drains, as this causes flooding and pollutes the Chesapeake Bay watershed. All leaves must be properly bagged in paper bags or placed in a yard trim can.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleaning often requires bulky item removal. If you receive County trash service, you can use your five free annual bulk pickups. If you have private trash service, you must contact your HOA or hauler directly for their spring bulk rates.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash in Germantown?
Hey Germantown neighbors! While Montgomery County doesn't have a state-run bottle and can redemption program, you might still find some value in those empties. Check out local scrap yards like "G & G Metal Recyclers" in Frederick (a short drive away) for metals. For general scrap, it's always a good idea to call ahead to see what they're currently buying. Keep an eye out for community recycling drives too – sometimes they focus on specific items!
Give Your Goods a Second Life in Germantown!
Before tossing perfectly good items, think about donating! Goodwill's Germantown store is a great spot for clothes, books, and household goods. If you've got furniture or larger items, consider reaching out to the "Habitat for Humanity ReStore" in Gaithersburg. They often accept gently used building materials, appliances, and furniture, helping fund their mission right here in our community.
Keeping Germantown Clean: Tackling Dumping and Pitching In
Nobody likes seeing trash illegally dumped around our beautiful Germantown. If you spot any, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is who you'll want to inform. You can usually report it through their website or by calling their enforcement hotline. For those who like to get involved, look out for local "Keep Germantown Beautiful" events or other neighborhood clean-up days organized by community groups – it’s a fantastic way to make a tangible difference.
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up the trash in Germantown, MD?
It depends on your neighborhood. All single-family homes and townhomes receive County-provided recycling and yard trim collection. However, standard trash collection is split: some neighborhoods receive County trash service, while others must hire a private waste hauler (like Casella or Republic Services) or have it arranged through their HOA.
Do I have to sort my recycling in Montgomery County?
Yes. Montgomery County uses a dual-stream recycling system. You must separate your commingled items (glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans) into a Blue Bin, and keep your mixed paper and flattened cardboard separate in a Blue Cart or paper bags.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or exercise equipment?
Large items that are 51% or more metal cannot go in standard bulk trash. You must schedule a specific 'Scrap Metal' pickup with the County by calling 311. This service is free and unlimited for all residents who receive County recycling services.
Can I use plastic bags for my yard waste?
No. Plastic bags are strictly banned for yard waste. You must place your grass clippings, leaves, and brush in biodegradable paper yard bags or reusable trash cans that are marked with a County-issued 'Yard Trim' sticker.