Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Potomac
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood. In County-serviced areas, trash and recycling are picked up once per week on your designated route day.
Recycling
Collected once weekly on your assigned collection day (Monday through Friday).
Yard Waste
Collected once weekly on your regular recycling collection day year-round.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste, recycling, and leaf collection charges are consolidated and billed annually on your Montgomery County real property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax relief and credits are available for qualifying low-income homeowners and senior residents through Montgomery County and Maryland Homeowners' Property Tax Credit programs.
Resident-provided (Dark colors common) Bin (Trash)
Place trash in a durable, tight-lidded container by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Bins cannot exceed the county weight limit when fully loaded.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and plastics
Blue County-provided cart or bin Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling. All items must be placed loose inside the blue container; never bag recyclables. Damaged bins can be replaced by calling 311.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and lids
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Hazardous materials
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Use 45-pound maximum paper bags or 15-45 gallon reusable bins labeled with a County 'Yard Trim' decal. Bundle branches up to 4 feet long and 30 inches in diameter with natural twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small branches
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Up to 5 times per calendar year)
Placement
Place bulk items separate from yard waste and recycling at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your normal trash day after scheduling your appointment.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolled carpet
- ✓ Non-metal bathroom fixtures (tubs, sinks)
- ✓ Single wooden doors or cabinets
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items that are 51% or more metal
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Grand pianos
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
The 5 collections per year are free. Residents with private/subscription trash service via an HOA are generally not eligible for the County's free bulk trash service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County utilizes a 'holiday slide' schedule. If a county-observed holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trim collections, which occur on your recycling day, follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as regular trash and recycling.
County offices and the MC311 call center are closed on these holidays, so you cannot call to schedule bulk pickups on the holiday itself.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryLive Christmas trees are picked up on your regular recycling day as part of the year-round yard trim program. Remove all lights, ornaments, and metal stands. If severe snow cancels trash service, pickups typically slide one day later for the rest of the week.
Fall
October to NovemberWhile curbside leaf vacuuming is offered in select districts by the Division of Highway Services, most Potomac residents should continue to bag their autumn leaves in paper yard bags or labeled reusable containers for their weekly yard trim collection.
Spring
March to MaySpring landscaping generates heavy brush. Remember that root balls, tree stumps, and dirt/soil are never accepted in the curbside yard trim collection and must be hauled to the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In Around Potomac? Let's Talk Scrap!
While Maryland doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program for cash back like some other states, don't let that stop you from getting a little something for your recyclables! For items like scrap metal, aluminum, or copper wiring you might be clearing out, checking out local scrap yards is your best bet. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling Potomac" or "scrap yards near Montgomery County" will point you in the right direction. These places often pay by weight, so that old lawnmower or pile of aluminum cans could be worth a bit more than you think before they head to the landfill.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Potomac!
Before tossing perfectly good items, think about donating them! Potomac residents have some great local spots to give usable goods a new home. Goodwill stores are always a solid choice, and you might find one conveniently located nearby. Also, keep an eye out for Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the broader Montgomery County area. They happily accept furniture, appliances, and building materials, and the proceeds help build homes for families in need. It's a win-win for decluttering and supporting your community!
Keeping Potomac Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Stuff & Special Cleanups
Nobody likes seeing trash where it doesn't belong. If you ever spot illegal dumping in or around Potomac, Montgomery County has a system for reporting it. Usually, you can find a dedicated hotline or online form on the county's Department of Environmental Protection website to report such incidents. Staying informed about any community cleanup events or special hazardous waste collection days is also super helpful. These events are a fantastic way to responsibly get rid of things like old paint, electronics, or batteries that can't go in your regular bins, keeping our local environment clean and healthy.
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Potomac, MD?
If your home is serviced by Montgomery County, you can schedule one of your five free annual bulk pickups by submitting a request online via the DEP website by 11:59 p.m. the day before your trash day, or by calling 311 by 7:00 p.m. on the business day prior.
Does Montgomery County pick up yard waste year-round?
Yes. Montgomery County collects yard trim every week on your regular recycling day throughout the entire year. You must use paper lawn bags or a reusable 15-45 gallon container marked with a free County 'Yard Trim' decal.
Why won't the county pick up my old washing machine as bulk trash?
Montgomery County has a '51% metal rule.' Any large item comprised mostly of metal (like washers, dryers, and metal desks) cannot be crushed in standard bulk trucks. You must schedule a separate 'Scrap Metal Recycling' pickup for these items.
What happens to trash pickup when it snows in Potomac?
If severe winter weather forces Montgomery County to suspend collection services for the safety of the crews, the schedule will typically 'slide' one day later for the remainder of the week, exactly like a holiday delay.