Collections: Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I set trash out for collection?
- How do I set recyclables out for collection?
- What are “yard materials”? When do yard materials collections occur?
- How do I set out yard materials for collection?
- What happens to my trash when it is picked up?
- Why is collection cancelled on certain holidays?
- Does the County have bulk item pickup?
Q. What are my collection days? How can I receive a “One and One” collection schedule and program information?
A. Baltimore County residents on the “One and One” program can download a collection schedule and trash and recycling information guide (PDF) online or call the Bureau of Solid Waste Management customer service line at 410-887-2000.
Q. How do I set trash out for collection?
A. Trash must be set out in a trash can with a tight fitting lid. Lids should fit snugly, but must not be fastened to the can with rope, wire, chains, springs, hinges, etc. The maximum capacity for a trash can is 34 gallons. The maximum filled weight for a trash can in 40 pounds.
Trash should be placed out the night before the scheduled collection day. Please see our trash/recycling information guide (PDF) for important details on exactly how to set out trash.
Q. How do I set recyclables out for collection?
A. Please see our trash/recycling information guide (PDF) for important details on exactly how to set out recyclables.
Q. What are “yard materials”? When do yard materials collections occur?
A. Grass, leaves, and small brush are considered yard materials. Yard materials are collected for recycling from residents that have "Y" days on their collection schedules. For these residents, separate yard materials recycling collections occur on "Y" days from April through December 14. Please see our yard materials collection page for important details.
Q. How do I set out yard materials for collection?
A. Baltimore County encourages residents to benefit from their yard materials at home by grasscycling (PDF) and/or home composting, rather than placing yard materials out for collection.
Residents who place yard materials out for collection must use paper or plastic bags weighing no more than 30 pounds when filled. Branches and limbs must be no larger than 3 inches in diameter, no longer than 3 feet, and tied in bundles. Please see our yard materials collection page for important details.
All materials should be placed out the night before their scheduled collection day.
Q. What happens to my trash when it is picked up?
A. Baltimore County collects approximately 400,000 tons per year of trash from residents. That material goes to one of three places. Approximately 100,000 tons per year goes to a waste-to-energy facility in Baltimore City. Of the remaining 300,000, anywhere between 50,000 to 250,000 tons per year goes to landfills out-of-state, primarily Virginia. The rest of the material is sent to Baltimore County’s only landfill, Eastern Sanitary Landfill.
Q. Why is collection cancelled on certain holidays?
A. On six major holidays, trash and recycling are not collected, and drop-off centers are closed so that employees may spend this time with their families. Makeup collections for trash and yard materials, generally the next day, are shown on residents’ collection schedules. When these six holidays occur, recycling collections are skipped for one week to allow collectors to focus on catching up on trash collection.
During weeks with collection holidays there may be delays of a day or more in your scheduled pickups – please leave your materials out until collection occurs.
Q. Does the County have bulk item pickup?
A. No, Baltimore County does not provide bulk item collection service. Private bulk item collectors can be found in the Greater Baltimore Yellow Pages™ under the "Rubbish & Garbage Removal" section. Since there are several different versions of phone directories you may also want to search “bulk hauling,” “garbage collection,” “trash,” etc. in other phone directories.
Also, please consider donating any usable items. The Reuse Directory (PDF) is a guide to organizations that accept a broad range of donated items including appliances (large and small), beds, building materials, furniture, rugs and more.
Revised February 1, 2010
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