Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lake Arbor
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)
Set out by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. during the summer schedule). Remove empty carts from the curb by the end of the collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
County-issued 64-gallon wheeled cart (Blue or Yellow) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables, as plastic bags jam the sorting facility's machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food scraps
Yard Waste Bin
Collected every Monday. Must use the county-issued 32-gallon green cart, compostable paper bags, or a reusable can clearly marked 'Yard Waste'. Plastic bags are banned.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches (max 4 feet long, 3 inches diameter)
- ✓Food scraps (in green cart only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your standard trash day
Placement
Place items next to your trash cart by 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer). Ensure items do not block sidewalks, assigned parking spaces, or the automated collection carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household items (up to 4 total)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Materials from evictions or foreclosures
- ✕ Scrap tires (unless scheduled)
- ✕ Large appliances/white goods (unless scheduled)
Standard bulk items are collected at no extra charge. Scrap tires, appliances, scrap metal, and e-waste require a scheduled appointment via PGC311.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Prince George's County uses a 'slide' schedule. If a county-observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and all subsequent days that week slide one day later (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard trim are always collected on Mondays. If a recognized holiday falls on a Monday, the organics collection shifts to Tuesday.
Minor holidays such as Native American Day, Presidents' Day, and Veterans Day do NOT affect the collection schedule. Trash is picked up as normal on these days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
Late June to Early OctoberUnder the 'Beat the Heat' initiative, all trash, recycling, and organics collections begin at 5:00 a.m. Ensure your carts are placed at the curb the night before to avoid a missed pickup.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, excess leaves that do not fit in your green organics cart must be placed in compostable paper yard bags. Loose leaves raked into the street will not be collected by standard residential crews.
Winter
December to FebruaryNatural Christmas trees are collected on Mondays alongside standard yard trim. Ensure all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands are fully removed. 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
Prince George's County Organics Composting Facility
6550 Maude Savoy Brown Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment for bulky trash in Lake Arbor?
For standard bulky items like a couch, mattress, or table, no. You can place up to four bulky items next to your trash cart on your regular collection day. However, large appliances (white goods) and scrap tires still strictly require an appointment through PGC311.
Why do I have to put my trash out at 5 a.m. during the summer?
Prince George's County implements a 'Beat the Heat' schedule from late June through early October. Collections begin at 5:00 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m. to protect sanitation workers from severe daytime heat exhaustion.
What items can go in my green wheeled cart?
The 32-gallon green cart is exclusively for organics, which are collected every Monday. This includes yard trim (grass, leaves, small brush) and food scraps (vegetables, fruit, eggshells, coffee grounds). You cannot put plastic bags in this cart.
How do I dispose of scrap metal and electronic waste?
Scrap metal and electronic waste (like old TVs or computers) are not collected with standard bulk trash. The county collects these items curbside on the third Monday of every month, and you must schedule an appointment in advance via PGC311.