Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Towson
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside residential trash and recycling pickup in Towson is managed by Baltimore County and funded through general county property taxes, so homeowners do not receive a separate monthly trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax relief programs and credits are available through Baltimore County and the State of Maryland for eligible low-income homeowners, seniors, and disabled veterans.
Resident-provided container with tight-fitting lid Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged and placed inside rigid, watertight containers equipped with secure covers to prevent scattering by wildlife or wind.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage and food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastic packaging
- ✓Disposable items and general refuse
- ✓Sanitary products and diapers
Blue or Green County-approved bin / container Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose and unbagged directly inside the recycling container. Do not place plastic bags inside your recycling bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and flattened paper boxes
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and flexible film packaging
- ✕Styrofoam and polystyrene blocks
- ✕Food-contaminated pizza boxes
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Yard materials must be placed in biodegradable paper lawn and leaf bags or reusable rigid containers without plastic liners. Branches must be cut into manageable lengths.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Garden plants and weeds
- ✓Twigs and small branches
- ✓Christmas trees (seasonal)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected via specific county guidelines and drop-off availability
Placement
Place items safely curbside only as instructed by county scheduling protocols, or transport directly to the Central Acceptance Facility in Cockeysville.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (sofas, tables, mattresses)
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Large metal items
- ✓ Non-conveyance household fixtures
Not Accepted
- ✕ Automotive engines and hazardous car parts
- ✕ Commercial construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals, paint, and asbestos
Standard residential drop-offs at county acceptance facilities are generally structured for county residents, though specialized commercial or industrial loads incur per-ton fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Baltimore County observes seven holiday slide collections annually. When a holiday falls on a weekday, that day and all subsequent collections for the rest of that week slide forward by one day (e.g., Thursday shifts to Friday, Friday shifts to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections follow the exact same holiday slide adjustments as standard trash and recycling lines.
Always check the online county collection schedule portal rather than printed mailers, as holiday slides can occasionally shift depending on the day of the week the holiday lands.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayBiweekly yard material collections ramp up starting April 1st, making it the ideal time to clear out winter debris, fallen branches, and early garden waste using paper bags.
Autumn
October - NovemberHeavy leaf accumulation triggers maximum capacity for yard waste routes. Ensure leaves are safely bagged in paper bags and kept clear of storm drains to prevent neighborhood flooding.
Winter
December - JanuaryYard waste collection concludes mid-December, and natural holiday trees are accepted during designated early-winter collection windows after all decorations and stands are removed.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cold Hard Cash in Towson!
Did you know that some of your recyclables can actually earn you a little extra dough? While Maryland doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program like some other states, it's still a great idea to keep those items clean and separated. For scrap metal and other materials, checking out local scrap yards in the greater Baltimore area, like those often found in industrial zones, could be your best bet. Just give them a call to see what they accept and what their current rates are. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the planet!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a New Home in Towson
Before you toss out that perfectly good couch or those clothes you’ve outgrown, think about giving them a second life! Towson and the surrounding Baltimore County area have some fantastic spots for donations. Goodwill, for instance, has multiple locations nearby where your contributions help fund job training programs. You might also find a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the broader Baltimore region, which takes furniture, appliances, and building materials to support affordable housing projects. It's a wonderful way to help out fellow community members and keep usable items out of the landfill.
Keeping Our Towson Neighborhood Sparkling: What to Do About Piles?
Let's keep Towson looking its best! If you ever spot items left out that aren't part of regular trash or recycling, or notice any illegal dumping, the Baltimore County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management is your go-to. You can reach them at 410-887-2000. They handle collections and can advise on special drop-off days for things like electronics or hazardous waste that shouldn't go in your regular bins. Staying informed through their newsletters is also a smart move to catch any community clean-up events that pop up!
Drop-off Facilities
Central Acceptance Facility (CAF) in Cockeysville
201 West Warren Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Materials Accepted
Eastern Sanitary Landfill (ESL) Facility
6259 Days Cove Road, White Marsh, MD 21162
Materials Accepted
Western Acceptance Facility (WAF)
3310 Transway Road, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do holiday schedules affect my Towson trash collection day?
Baltimore County uses a holiday slide system for seven major holidays. If your collection day falls on or after the holiday during that week, your pickup shifts forward by one day, with Friday collections moving to Saturday.
Where is the closest drop-off facility for Towson residents to discard extra trash?
The closest facility is the Central Acceptance Facility (CAF), located at 201 West Warren Road in Cockeysville, open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Are plastic bags permitted inside my blue recycling bin?
No. Plastic bags, film wrap, and flexible packaging tangle the sorting machines at the recycling facility and must never be placed inside your recycling container.
How often is yard waste collected in Towson?
Yard materials are collected on a biweekly rotating calendar schedule (Schedule 1 or Schedule 2) starting April 1st and running through mid-December.