Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Owings Mills
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone. Single-family homes receive weekly curbside trash pickup on their assigned collection day.
Recycling
Single-stream recycling is collected weekly on your assigned neighborhood collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard materials are collected separately on designated weeks on your regular pickup day from April through mid-December.
Set Out Time
After 6:00 PM the evening before or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are provided by Baltimore County and funded through local property taxes, meaning residents do not receive a separate trash collection bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Baltimore County offers property tax credits and relief programs for eligible senior citizens and low-income homeowners.
Resident-provided (dark colors recommended) Bin (Trash)
Use sturdy, water-tight containers with tight-fitting lids. Cans cannot exceed 40 pounds. Do not tie lids down with ropes, wire, or bungee cords.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue bin, or any resident-provided container marked with an 'X' or 'RECYCLE' Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the container. Never bag your recycling. The county recommends using lidless bins to help crews quickly identify the contents.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (of any kind)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable two-ply paper lawn bags or tied into bundles with natural twine. Maximum weight is 30 pounds per bag or bundle. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and small brush
- ✓Branches (under 3 feet in length)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two pre-assigned dates per year
Placement
Place your 3 allowed items at your normal collection point after 6:00 PM the evening before your scheduled bulk date.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (count as two items)
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Rolled carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Pianos
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Stumps or large logs
Bulk pickups are free of charge on your two assigned county dates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Baltimore County uses a 'slide' schedule. If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections scheduled on or after that day will slide to the following day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste ('Y' day) collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as regular trash and recycling.
The county does not mail physical calendars. Always verify your specific address on the Bureau of Solid Waste Management website.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe dedicated 'Y' days for separate yard waste collection kick off on April 1st in Owings Mills. Remember to switch from putting yard debris in with your regular trash to strictly using paper bags and bundles.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf collection season, make sure you don't overstuff your paper lawn bags. Wet leaves are incredibly heavy; if a bag exceeds 30 pounds, it will tear and be left behind.
Winter
December - FebruaryWhen severe snow or ice hits Baltimore County, collections may be temporarily suspended. Keep an eye on the county's operational status online and make sure your bins aren't blocking snowplow routes.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Metal and Bottles? Get Cash Back Around Owings Mills!
While you're sorting through your recyclables, did you know some items can actually put a little money back in your pocket? For residents in Owings Mills and surrounding Baltimore County areas, keeping an eye out for scrap metal can be rewarding. Local scrap yards are often looking for things like old appliances (once you've removed any hazardous components, of course!), metal furniture, or even just excess copper or aluminum. And don't forget about the Maryland bottle bill! While you won't find a dedicated buyback center right in Owings Mills itself, many grocery stores and convenience stores throughout Maryland will take back your empty cans and bottles (plastic and glass bottles with the Maryland redemption value) for a refund. It’s a great way to be eco-friendly and earn a little extra cash on items that might otherwise end up in the landfill.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Owings Mills
Before you toss out perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! For those in Owings Mills looking to donate, consider the Goodwill Northern New Castle County in nearby Newark, Delaware, or check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Baltimore. They happily accept furniture, housewares, building materials, and more, which helps fund their important community work. You might also find smaller local thrift stores or community centers that accept clothing and household goods. It's a fantastic way to declutter your home while helping out neighbors in need right here in the greater Baltimore region.
Keeping Owings Mills Spick and Span: Reporting Dumped Stuff
We all want Owings Mills to look its best! If you happen to spot any trash illegally dumped in our community – whether it's on the side of a road or in a vacant lot – the best thing to do is report it. Baltimore County has a system for handling this. You can usually report illegal dumping by calling the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management at 410-887-2000. They can provide guidance on how to report it and what the process is for cleanup. Sometimes, communities also organize neighborhood clean-up days, which are a wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a visible difference right in your own area. Keep an eye on local community boards or the county's website for announcements!
Drop-off Facilities
Central Acceptance Facility (CAF)
201 West Warren Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Materials Accepted
Western Acceptance Facility
3310 Transway Road, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup in Owings Mills?
In Baltimore County, you do not need to call or schedule a bulk trash pickup. Owings Mills residents are automatically assigned two bulk collection days per year. You can look up your property's assigned dates on the county's website and place up to three oversized items at the curb.
Why was my yard waste left at the curb?
If your yard waste wasn't collected, it was likely placed in a plastic bag, exceeded the 30-pound weight limit, or branches were longer than three feet. Baltimore County requires all yard materials to be packed in biodegradable paper bags or tied into small bundles with twine.
Do I have to buy a specific recycling bin from the county?
No, Baltimore County does not provide standardized recycling carts. You can purchase a traditional blue recycling bin, or simply use a standard, sturdy trash can clearly marked with a large 'X' or the word 'RECYCLE'. Free stickers are also available by calling the Bureau of Solid Waste Management.
How does the holiday trash schedule work in Baltimore County?
The county operates on a 'slide' schedule for major holidays. If an observed holiday like Thanksgiving or Labor Day disrupts the week, collections for that day and the rest of the week will shift one day later (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday).