Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Laurel
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.
Green cart with black lid (or standard green city refuse container) Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be bagged inside the city-issued rolling trash container with the lid fully shut to deter wildlife.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household trash
- ✓Food packaging and wrappers
- ✓Plastic bags and film wraps
- ✓Diapers and pet waste bagged securely
- ✓Broken ceramics and non-recyclable household wares
Blue cart with blue or yellow lid Bin (Recycling)
Items must be emptied, rinsed, and deposited loose inside the cart without plastic bagging.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean corrugated cardboard and flattened paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, and office paper
- ✓Rinsed plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars (#1 through #7)
- ✓Aluminum and steel/tin cans
- ✓Glass food and beverage bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, stretch wraps, or bubble film
- ✕Polystyrene and Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Hazardous chemical bottles and pesticide containers
- ✕Garden hoses, wires, and automotive components
- ✕Food-contaminated pizza boxes with heavy grease
Yard Waste Bin
Must be set out on Wednesdays in heavy-duty paper lawn bags, marked rigid containers, or tied securely with biodegradable string/twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and freshly raked leaves
- ✓Garden pruning waste and floral clippings
- ✓Small branches and tree limbs under 4 feet in length and 3 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on Wednesdays by advance appointment
Placement
Place approved items at the curb edge after 7:00 PM on Tuesday evening, ensuring no obstruction to sidewalks, driveways, or fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, tables, and wooden furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in protective plastic)
- ✓ Large household appliances (washers, dryers, stoves)
- ✓ Barbecue grills (with propane tanks removed)
- ✓ Bicycles and metal outdoor furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid paints, solvents, motor oil, and hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Whole automobile engines, transmissions, and tires
- ✕ Uncontained hazardous building materials including asbestos and raw concrete
Standard bulky household items are collected at no cost or nominal rates, while appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners) require a pre-paid fee and certification sticker.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a city-recognized holiday occurs on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week typically slide back one business day.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard debris and bulk collections are often suspended or rescheduled during holiday weeks so DPW crews can complete deferred regular trash and recycling routes.
Check the City of Laurel municipal website announcements or the Laurel Community Bulletin during holiday weeks for detailed calendar shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberThe City of Laurel conducts scheduled curbside vacuum leaf collection in late fall. Residents should rake unbagged leaves into linear windrows along the street curb, keeping piles free from rocks, branches, and metal debris.
Winter
December to FebruarySevere winter weather and snow emergencies can delay curbside routes. Keep collection carts cleared of snowdrifts and ensure safe access from municipal plow paths to prevent tipped containers.
Spring
March to MayAnnual Spring Clean-Up events often waive standard disposal fees for large household scrap and electronic waste drop-offs at the Laurel DPW facility.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Laurel Public Works Facility
305-307 First Street, Laurel, MD 20707
Materials Accepted
Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill & Convenience Center
1114A Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup in the City of Laurel?
You can schedule a bulk collection by submitting an online request through the City of Laurel DPW service portal or by calling 301-725-0088 before the Tuesday deadline for Wednesday pickups.
Are mattresses required to be wrapped for curbside bulk collection?
Yes, to protect sanitation staff from potential biological hazards and pests, all mattresses and box springs must be fully sealed inside protective plastic mattress disposal bags before curbside placement.
What should I do with excess yard waste that doesn't fit in my paper bags?
Excess tree branches and hedge trimmings must be cut into 4-foot lengths, tied into tight bundles with natural biodegradable twine, and placed beside your paper bags for Wednesday collection.
Where can I safely dispose of household hazardous chemicals and wet paint in Laurel?
Hazardous materials like oil-based paints, automotive fluids, herbicides, and pool chemicals cannot be collected at the curb and should be delivered to the Prince George's County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility at Brown Station Road.