Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lake Shore
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 (no required color) Bin (Trash)
Must use watertight containers with handles and tight-fitting lids, or durable plastic waste bags. Maximum weight is 40 pounds per container/bag. Do not use cardboard boxes or indoor trash receptacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Yellow County cart (or resident-provided marked bin) Bin (Recycling)
Keep materials loose inside the cart; do not bag recyclables in plastic. Resident-provided containers must not exceed 40 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastics (bottles, tubs, yogurt containers)
- ✓Metal food cans and foil
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Shredded paper (must be in a sealed paper envelope/bag)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Treated wood
Yard Waste Bin
Must use biodegradable paper yard waste bags or rigid containers marked with an 'X' on all sides. Maximum 40 lbs. Plastic bags, fabric bags, and yellow recycling carts are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and branches (bundled, max 4 ft long / 4 in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly with regular trash / By appointment for metal
Placement
Place items before 6:00 a.m. (or 5:00 a.m. in summer). Keep items well away from mailboxes, parked vehicles, and overhead obstructions.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and stuffed chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolls of carpet
- ✓ Wooden furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Wood, lumber, and construction materials
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Dirt and sod
Standard curbside bulk pickup is typically covered by county solid waste fees. Specialized collections for metal and appliances are also a provided service upon request.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Anne Arundel County utilizes a slide schedule for observed holidays. If your collection falls on or after a holiday, it slides one day forward for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday slide schedule as standard trash and recycling routes.
If a collection is skipped entirely because of a holiday or severe snowstorm, the county allows you to put out double the amount of trash on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustRemember the mandatory 5:00 a.m. early set-out time to comply with Maryland's Heat Stress Standard [1.2.2]. Set your bins out the night before to avoid missed service.
Autumn
September to NovemberWhen disposing of heavy fall leaves, ensure your biodegradable paper yard bags or 'X' marked rigid bins do not exceed the county's strict 40-pound weight limit.
Winter
December to FebruaryAfter major snowstorms or ice events, leave your bins at the curb. Collections are typically delayed until conditions are safe for the large contracted trucks to navigate local streets.
Drop-off Facilities
Northern Recycling Center
100 Dover Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lake Shore have a municipal trash department?
No. Because Lake Shore is a census-designated place, all trash, recycling, and yard waste services are managed directly by the Anne Arundel County DPW Bureau of Waste Management Services.
How do I dispose of a large broken plastic kiddie pool?
Anne Arundel County accepts large rigid plastic items—like kiddie pools, children's playsets, and plastic lawn furniture—as part of its curbside recycling program. Just place the item directly next to your yellow recycling cart on your normal collection day.
Why was my yard waste left at the curb by the collection crew?
The most common reasons are: using prohibited non-rigid fabric or mesh bags, placing yard waste in a yellow county recycling cart, exceeding the 40-pound weight limit, or failing to paint a large 'X' on a resident-supplied rigid container.
Do I need an appointment to throw away an old couch in Lake Shore?
For standard bulky non-metal items like couches, mattresses, and wooden tables, no appointment is needed. You can place them alongside your regular trash. However, large metal appliances and metal swing sets do require scheduling via the county's customer service line.