Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Silver Spring
Trash Day
Curbside trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route (in unincorporated Silver Spring, some areas are serviced by Montgomery County DEP while others use HOA-contracted or private haulers).
Recycling
Collected once weekly on your scheduled collection day (Monday through Friday).
Yard Waste
Collected once weekly on the same day as your recycling collection.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
County-provided trash, recycling, and leaf collection charges are billed once a year as a solid waste charge on your Montgomery County Consolidated Property Tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax credits, including the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit and Senior Tax Credit, are available through Montgomery County for eligible low-income and senior residents.
Any standard bin with a tight-fitting lid (or hauler-specific cart) Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. If you use a private hauler, you must adhere to their specific bin weight limits and placement guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Commingled) & Blue Cart/Paper Bags (Paper) Bin (Recycling)
Dual-stream is mandatory. Separate commingled containers (Blue Bin) from paper/cardboard (Blue Cart or paper bags). Set out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper yard bags or reusable containers marked with a 'Yard Trim' decal. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Brush bundles must be under 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
5 free collections per year (for County trash customers) / Unlimited Scrap Metal
Placement
Place scheduled items at the curb adjacent to your regular household trash by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Items must have at least one side less than 4 feet wide.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Non-metal bulky household goods
- ✓ Scrap metal/appliances (must be scheduled as a separate metal pickup)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris (drywall, bricks)
- ✕ Automotive parts over 60 lbs
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Propane tanks
Bulk pickup is free (up to 5 times per year) only for homes with County-provided trash service. HOA and private subscription homes must pay their private hauler's rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Montgomery County operates on a 'Holiday Slide Schedule.' If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, your collection—and all collections for the rest of that week—will be delayed by exactly one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trim collections strictly follow the same Holiday Slide Schedule as recycling.
If you rely on a private hauler for your trash, you must verify their specific holiday schedule, as it may differ slightly from the County's recycling and yard trim slide schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryMontgomery County DEP responds to severe Mid-Atlantic snowstorms by suspending collection to keep plows moving safely. When service is canceled due to snow, the entire schedule typically shifts forward by one day for the remainder of the week.
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring the peak of fall foliage, do not sweep or blow leaves into the street or storm drains, as this causes localized flooding and pollutes the Chesapeake Bay watershed. All leaves must be properly bagged in biodegradable paper yard bags or placed in a dedicated yard trim can.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often requires bulky item removal. If you receive County trash service, you must submit your itemized bulk pickup request online by 11:59 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection to utilize one of your five free annual pickups.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Old Metal into Cold Cash Around Silver Spring!
Got a pile of scrap metal gathering dust? Instead of letting it sit, you can actually get paid for it! While Montgomery County asks you to schedule bulky scrap metal pickups through MC311, there are also local yards that buy metals. For instance, businesses like ABC Metals in Baltimore (a bit of a drive but worth it for bigger loads) or other regional scrap processors can turn your old appliances or unwanted metal items into cash. It's a win-win: declutter your space and earn a little extra money. Always give them a call first to see what they accept and their current prices.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Silver Spring
Before you toss that perfectly good couch or those clothes you just don't wear anymore, think about donating! Silver Spring and the surrounding areas have some fantastic places that would love your items. Goodwill stores are always a great option, and they have locations nearby. You could also check out places like the SecondHand Treasures Thrift Shop or explore if the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gaithersburg is accepting donations – they’re fantastic for furniture and home goods. Giving your items a second chance not only helps others but also keeps useful things out of the landfill.
Keeping Silver Spring Spick and Span: Tackling Litter Together
Illegal dumping is a real headache for our community, and Montgomery County takes it seriously. If you ever spot trash or larger items left where they shouldn't be, report it to Montgomery County by calling 311 or through the MC311 website or app. They have a system for addressing these issues. Plus, keep an eye out for community clean-up events organized by local groups or the county. Participating in these events is a fantastic way to pitch in, meet your neighbors, and make Silver Spring an even nicer place to live.
Drop-off Facilities
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
16101 Frederick Rd, Derwood, MD 20855
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trash pickup in Silver Spring, MD?
Since Silver Spring is unincorporated, services are split. Montgomery County DEP provides weekly recycling and yard trim collection to all single-family homes. For standard trash, some neighborhoods receive County service, while others must hire a private waste hauler or rely on their HOA's contract.
Do I need to separate my recycling in Montgomery County?
Yes. The county enforces a dual-stream recycling system. You must separate your commingled containers (glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans) into a Blue Bin, and keep your mixed paper and cardboard separate in a Blue Cart or tied in paper bags.
How do I throw away an old washing machine in Silver Spring?
Large appliances and items that are 51% or more metal cannot go in standard bulk trash. You must schedule a specialized 'Scrap Metal' pickup with the County by calling 311. This service ensures valuable metals are recycled and is unlimited for homes receiving County services.
What should I do if it snows on my trash day?
When severe winter weather forces Montgomery County to suspend collections for safety, they implement a weather slide schedule. All collections for that day and the remainder of the week are typically pushed forward by one day.