Your Montgomery County Trash Day — No More Guessing
If you live in Montgomery County, Maryland, the biggest confusion is not the weekday itself. It is whether your address gets County-provided collection at all, whether your trash and recycling are picked up on the same day, how holiday slide weeks work, and when bulk trash has to be scheduled. This guide clears that up fast and gives you the official links you actually need.
📑 What’s in this guide
Montgomery County provides county-run trash collection to more than 93,000 single-family homes and townhomes, mostly in the southern part of the county. If your trash pickup happens on the same day as your recycling day, your service may be County-provided. If trash and recycling are on different days, or you have twice-weekly pickup, your service is usually private.
(240) 777-0311
on collection day
How to Find Your Montgomery County Trash Pickup Day
Montgomery County’s official Collection Day Lookup is the best starting point because it tells you whether the County provides collection at your address and shows schedule updates, reminders, holiday slide weeks, and weather-related notices.
- Open the official lookup tool. Go to the County Collection Day Lookup.
- Enter your property address. The tool confirms whether your home gets County-provided service.
- Check if trash and recycling match. If both are on the same day, your service may be County-provided.
- Use reminders and updates. The lookup supports schedule reminders and holiday-slide notices.
- Call MC311 if needed. If the tool is unclear, call 311 or (240) 777-0311.
Montgomery County Trash Pickup Schedule Overview
For eligible County-provided homes, Montgomery County collects household trash once a week from the curb. Recyclables are also collected once a week, and yard trim is handled through curbside recycling collection. Bulk trash and scrap metal are separate scheduled services.
| Service | Container / Setup | Frequency | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trash | Bagged household trash / regular can | Weekly | County-provided service only for eligible addresses |
| Mixed Paper | Blue wheeled cart, paper bag, box, or twine bundle | Weekly | Paper and cardboard stream |
| Bottles / Cans / Containers | Blue bin | Weekly | Glass, plastic, and metal stream |
| Yard Trim | Paper yard-trim bags, labeled reusable container, or bundles | Weekly with recycling day | Leaves, grass, brush, and Christmas trees |
| Bulk Trash | Curbside by request | Up to 5 pickups yearly | Must be scheduled in advance |
Montgomery County Trash Rules and Service Details
County-provided trash service is available only at eligible addresses. If you are moving into a home with County-provided service, the County says you do not need to notify them first. You can simply begin setting items out by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Trash
Set-Out Time
Service Area
Residential property owners receiving County-provided service pay for it through the annual Solid Waste Charge on the property tax bill rather than by an individual monthly curbside bill.
⭐ Important service check
Many people search “Montgomery County trash schedule” and assume the County handles every home. It does not. A large share of homes still use private subscription service, especially outside the County-provided service area.
Montgomery County Recycling Collection
Montgomery County uses a dual-stream recycling system for single-family homes and townhomes with County-provided service. Mixed paper items go in the blue wheeled cart, while glass, plastic, and metal bottles, jars, cans, and containers go in the blue bin.
| Mixed Paper Stream | Blue Bin Stream |
|---|---|
| Paper and cardboard | Glass bottles and jars |
| Boxes and paperboard | Plastic bottles, jars, tubs, and lids |
| Can go in blue wheeled cart, paper bag, box, or tied bundle | Metal cans and containers |
Recyclables are collected once a week from the curb. The County notes that holiday adjustments are made only when the actual holiday falls on a collection day.
Yard Trim and Christmas Tree Collection
Montgomery County accepts yard trim including grass clippings, leaves, brush, and Christmas trees through weekly curbside recycling collection for eligible homes. Yard trim must be placed in paper yard-trim bags, in reusable containers labeled with a yard-trim decal, or bundled properly.
Christmas trees are accepted year-round in curbside yard-trim collection. Place the tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on your recycling day, and remove all decorations, lights, stands, garland, plastic bags, and metal.
Bulk Trash and Scrap Metal Pickup
Montgomery County gives each residential property with County-provided trash collection up to 5 bulk trash collections per calendar year. Homes receiving County-provided recycling service can also request scrap metal collections, and there is no annual limit on scrap metal requests.
- Schedule in advance. Use the County bulk-trash form or call 311.
- Submit by the day before pickup. Requests must be made by 11:59 p.m. the day before your regular County collection day.
- Set everything out by 7 a.m. The County says items must be at the curb by 7 a.m.
- Expect a full service window. Collection may happen anytime between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the County collection day.
- Private-hauler homes are not eligible. Homes with private subscription trash service cannot use County bulk pickup.
⭐ Best bulk pickup habit
Schedule your bulk pickup before dragging items outside. Montgomery County does not provide bulk service automatically, and private-hauler households are not covered by the County system.
Montgomery County 2026 Holiday Slide Schedule
Montgomery County uses a holiday “slide” schedule for County-provided residential recycling and trash collections. There is no collection on an affected holiday, and the remainder of the week slides one day later, with final pickups on Saturday.
| Affected Holiday | 2026 Collection Rule |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Slide one day later for the remainder of the week |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No Monday collections; remainder of week slides, ending Saturday |
| Presidents Day | Slide schedule applies |
| Memorial Day | Slide schedule applies |
| Juneteenth | Slide schedule applies if it falls on collection day |
| Independence Day | Slide schedule applies if it falls on collection day |
| Labor Day | Slide schedule applies |
| Veterans Day | Slide schedule applies if it falls on collection day |
| Thanksgiving Day | Slide schedule applies |
| Christmas Day | Slide schedule applies |
The County specifically notes that the holiday schedule applies to County-provided collection for single-family homes and townhomes. If you have private service or live in a municipality, your holiday schedule may be different.
What to Do If Your Trash or Recycling Was Missed
If your home gets County-provided service and your materials were not collected, first confirm your schedule with the Collection Day Lookup tool. Then check for holiday slide weeks or weather-related service changes before reporting a missed collection.
- Confirm that your address gets County-provided service
- Make sure everything was set out by 7 a.m.
- Check holiday slide and weather notices
- Report the issue through MC311 or by calling 311
Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
Montgomery County residents can bring trash, recyclables, and other accepted materials to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. Residents must provide proof of residency, all loads must be covered, and out-of-county waste is not accepted.
📍 Facility
Shady Grove Processing Facility & Transfer Station
Montgomery County, MD
🕒 Hours
Mon–Sat: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📞 Contact
311 or (240) 777-0311
⚠️ Rules
All loads covered
Proof of residency required
The County also notes that the Poolesville Beauty Spot is open for Montgomery County residents to discard bulk trash up to 499 pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montgomery County Trash Pickup
Does Montgomery County provide trash pickup to every home?
No. County-provided trash service only applies to eligible properties. Many homes use private subscription haulers instead.
How do I know if my address has County-provided service?
Use the official Collection Day Lookup tool or call MC311 at 311 or (240) 777-0311.
What time should I put trash out in Montgomery County?
All items for County-provided curbside collection should be out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
How often is trash collected in Montgomery County?
County-provided household trash is collected once a week from the curb.
How many bulk trash pickups do I get?
Eligible homes receiving County-provided trash service get up to five bulk trash collections per calendar year.
Can private-hauler homes use County bulk pickup?
No. Residents with private subscription trash service are not eligible for County bulk trash service.
How does the holiday slide schedule work?
There is no collection on the affected holiday, and the remainder of the week shifts one day later, with final pickups on Saturday.
Can I recycle Christmas trees in Montgomery County?
Yes. Live trees are accepted year-round in curbside yard-trim recycling if prepared correctly and placed out by 7 a.m. on recycling day.
What if my municipality has its own trash service?
Your city or town schedule may be different from Montgomery County’s County-provided collection schedule.
Can I drop trash off myself?
Yes. Residents can use the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station with proof of residency and a covered load.
Official Montgomery County Trash Resources
Trash, Recycling and Yard Trim
Main Montgomery County DEP waste page
Collection Day Lookup
Check whether your address receives County-provided service
Who Provides My Trash Service
County vs private subscription service guide
Bulk Trash Pick-Up Request
Schedule bulk trash and scrap metal pickup
Holiday Slide Schedule
Official holiday changes for County-provided service
Drop-Off Hours
Shady Grove transfer station hours and rules
Need help? Call 311 inside Montgomery County or (240) 777-0311 from outside the county for collection-day questions, missed service, or bulk pickup scheduling.