Q. What should I do if my yard materials aren't collected?
A. Before calling customer service, please check the yard materials guidelines in our Troubleshooting section.
Check to see if the other houses on your street have had their yard materials picked up. If your neighbors' material is still out, the collector may be running later than normal. If the material has not been picked up by 1 p.m. call customer service at 410-887-2000.
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Q. What are yard materials?
A. Yard materials include grass, leaves, small twigs and brush.
Q. What are my pick-up days for yard materials?
A. Not all homes receive a seperate yard materials collection. To see if you receive a seperate yard materials collection check your trash/recycling collection schedule for a "Y" (yard materials).
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Q. How can I get a copy of the yard materials collection schedule for my home?
A. Call customer service at 410-887-2000, Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. You may leave a message on the voice mail twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Or request a schedule online.
Q. Will my yard materials be collected on the upcoming holiday?
A. Your yard materials collection may or may not be altered, depending on a particular holiday. For complete details, visit the County's Holiday Schedule page or check your collection schedule.
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Q. Where can I drop off yard materials for recycling?
A. You can drop off yard materials to be turned into compost at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill. This recycling guide (PDF) has more information regarding yard materials.
Locations & Directions to Recycling Drop-off Centers
1. Western Acceptance Facility
End of Transway Road, off 4500 block Hollins Ferry Road.
(Beltway Exit 9) Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
2. Northwest Area Recycling Center
Park & Ride lot, Liberty Family Resource Center
8737B Liberty Road, near Brenbrook Drive
Monday - Sunday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(No trash is accepted at this facility)
3. Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility
Drop-Off Drive, off of Warren Road,
1/4 mile West of York Rd. and 1/4 mile East of Beaver Dam Rd.
Monday - Saturday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
4. Eastern Sanitary Landfill & Solid Waste Management Facility
Days Cove Road, off 11500 block Pulaski Highway
one block east of Allender Road
Monday - Saturday, 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
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Q. What's the difference between a "dump" and a "sanitary landfill?"
A. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a sanitary landfill is in fact very different and more environmentally sound than a traditional dump.
Baltimore County operates the "Eastern Sanitary Landfill," and monitors closed sanitary landfills (Hernwood & Parkton).
A sanitary landfill is operated and permitted in accordance with environmental regulations. Sites for new landfills are carefully chosen. Access to the site is limited, and loads of hazardous waste are not accepted. The wastes that are accepted are spread in layers and compacted by heavy machinery to the smallest practical volume, and then covered with soil or other materials. Solid waste disposed of in a sanitary landfill is done so in a manner that protects human health and the environment. Burning is prohibited, litter is controlled, and precautions are taken with respect to air and water quality, leachate, and landfill gas.
A dump is simply a place where people dump their trash, turn around and walk away. The trash is not covered and the surrounding environment is not monitored. At a dump, garbage is generally left to degrade until covered with other loads of garbage. Some garbage may be burned in a pit. Common problems associated with a dump include foul odors, airborne litter, and rats & mice. A dump is neither regulated nor permitted.
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Revised May 25, 2005
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