Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Joppatowne
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.
Varies depending on your private hauler (often 64 or 95-gallon rolling carts) Bin (Trash)
Since services are managed through private contracts, specific cart placement times and weight limits depend entirely on your chosen waste company. Generally, carts should be placed curbside the night before your scheduled day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Varies by hauler, or use a personal bin clearly marked with an 'X' or blue ribbon Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must remain entirely unbagged. Single-stream materials must be kept loose so they can be easily tipped into the automated sorting mechanisms.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars
- ✓Rigid plastics (buckets, old trash cans, plastic lawn furniture)
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Empty glass bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire hangers)
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Hazardous chemical containers
Yard Waste Bin
Check with your private hauler for curbside yard waste rules. For drop-off at the Tollgate facility, you must use paper bags, boxes, or reusable totes. Plastic bags are strictly forbidden.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Autumn leaves
- ✓Brush and bush trimmings (max 6 feet long, 6 inches wide)
- ✓Plant material from gardens
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private appointment or self-haul
Placement
If utilizing your private hauler, place the approved items at the curb only on the morning of your scheduled special collection to comply with neighborhood aesthetics.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Large home appliances
- ✓ Home renovation debris (accepted at HWDC only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid hazardous waste
- ✕ Commercial quantities of demolition debris
Haulers charge variable fees for bulk pickups. Self-hauling to the Harford Waste Disposal Center incurs flat rates (e.g., $8 for an SUV) or minimum scale weight charges for larger loads.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because Joppatowne relies on private waste collection, holiday 'slide schedules' vary by company. You must verify directly with your specific hauler if your pickup is delayed.
Yard Waste Exception
County drop-off facilities, including the Harford Waste Disposal Center and Tollgate site, are closed on Sundays and all major Harford County government holidays.
When a holiday lands on a weekend, the HWDC often modifies its operational hours on the surrounding weekdays; always check the county portal before planning a dump run.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchThe Tollgate Yard Trim Drop-off Facility operates on a reduced winter schedule, opening its gates exclusively on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan your pruning cleanups accordingly.
Spring through Fall
April - NovemberDuring peak growing seasons, the Tollgate facility expands its operating hours, welcoming residential yard debris on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are accepted as yard trim. Make sure you have completely stripped the tree of all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and metal stands before dropping it off to be processed into mulch.
Drop-off Facilities
Harford Waste Disposal Center (HWDC)
3241 Scarboro Road, Street, MD 21154
Materials Accepted
Tollgate Residential Yard Trim Drop-Off
703 North Tollgate Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Joppatowne have municipal trash pickup?
No, there is no government-run municipal trash collection in Joppatowne. Residents must hire a licensed private waste hauler (such as Casella or Bartenfelder Sanitation) to establish weekly curbside service.
Can I put plastic bags in my recycling bin?
Absolutely not. Harford County mandates that all single-stream recyclables must be kept loose. Plastic grocery bags and film wrap jam the gears at the recycling processing center and should be taken to supermarket drop-offs instead.
Where can I take my yard waste in Harford County?
You can haul your grass clippings, branches, and leaves to the Tollgate Residential Yard Trim Drop-Off facility in Bel Air. Just ensure none of your vegetative debris is enclosed in plastic bags.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
You have two primary options: call your private waste hauler to schedule and pay for a special curbside bulk pickup, or load the items into a vehicle and drop them off yourself at the Harford Waste Disposal Center for a small residential tipping fee.