Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Greenbelt
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.
Resident-provided or City-issued Bin (Trash)
Must use approved purple bags (SAYT program) or subscribe to Max Trash service. Carts must not exceed 50 pounds, have a secure lid, and be placed out by 7:00 a.m. Do not hide bins behind fences or partitions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue cart (City-provided) Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the bin. Do not bag items in plastic. Set the bin out by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled neighborhood collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Fridays. Must be placed on the service side (GHI) or curb (detached) by 7:00 a.m. Call ahead to schedule. Use paper yard bags or reusable bins; no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash day (By request only)
Placement
Detached homes must place items at the curb. GHI homes must place items in the yard on the service side. Keep usable furniture intact.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Bedding and moving debris
- ✓ Dried latex paint
- ✓ Small miscellaneous items (boxed/bundled under 50 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances and 98% metal items (collected Fridays instead)
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris (drywall, brick, tile)
- ✕ Car parts and tires
- ✕ Logs/branches over 6 inches thick or 4 feet long
Contractors are responsible for hauling their own debris. Disposing of unauthorized construction waste requires a trip to the county landfill at the owner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a federally observed holiday falls on a Monday, all regular trash collections are delayed by one day for the week. If the holiday falls on a Friday, regular Monday-Thursday trash collections remain on their normal schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and special metal collections are NOT provided on Fridays during any holiday week, regardless of which day the holiday falls on.
For holidays falling on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, residents should call Public Works at (301) 474-8004 to confirm the adjusted collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring weeks with federal holidays, Friday yard waste and special metal collections are completely suspended. Keep this in mind when scheduling cleanouts around Christmas, New Year's, and Presidents' Day.
Autumn
October - DecemberWhen bagging autumn leaves, ensure you are using heavy-duty kraft paper bags. Yard debris placed in plastic trash bags will be rejected at the curb.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleaning often results in excess large waste. Remember that small miscellaneous items for bulk pickup must be securely bagged, boxed, or bundled, and each bundle must weigh less than 50 pounds.
Drop-off Facilities
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill & Convenience Center
3501 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Save As You Throw (SAYT) program work in Greenbelt?
To encourage recycling, the city requires standard household trash to be placed in specific city-approved purple bags, or residents must subscribe to the Max Trash service tier. If you don't use the purple bags or subscribe, your standard refuse will not be collected.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or lawnmower?
Items that are 98% metal, including large household appliances and lawn equipment, are not collected with standard bulk trash. You must call Public Works at (301) 474-8004 to schedule a special metal pickup, which only occurs on Fridays.
Where do I put my bulk trash if I live in a GHI home?
If you live in a Greenbelt Homes Inc. (GHI) property, you must place your scheduled special trash in your yard on the service side. For detached homes outside of GHI, items must be placed directly at the street curb.
What happens to my trash collection during a holiday week?
If a holiday falls on a Monday, all collections are delayed by one day. If it falls on a Friday, the Monday-Thursday schedule is unaffected. However, Friday yard waste and special metal collections are completely canceled during any holiday week.