What is Bulk Trash

Bulk trash includes furniture, mattress and box spring wrapped in plastic, rugs, lumber (with nails bent down) and large bulky items.

Bulk Trash and Special Collections are collected on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only.

MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED: Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials including asphalt, shingles, tar paper, soil, dirt, rocks, bricks, concrete or blocks.

(To dispose of dirt, concrete and asphalt, call Phone: 301-248-2069 - Palmer Road Landfill, 1914 Palmer Road, Fort Washington, MD)

What are Special Trash Collections?

The City collects different types material on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment. Each source separated collection is performed by a different truck and crew.

White goods & metals (washers, dryers, mowers, bikes, metal file cabinets, etc.) *$20 fee for all appliances
Electronics for recycling (TVs, computers, printers, etc.) *$20 fee for TV's and Monitors
Brush, Logs and Yard Waste *Large collections requiring the use of specialized equipment would incur $100 fee per collection, per hour

You may see a truck on your street and wonder why they didn’t stop to pick-up your collection; it may be because they are collecting a different type of item. These different types of items should be separated to facilitate collection.

Are there any disposal fees?

As of May 1, 2020 the following took effect:
Tires incur a $4 per tire fee; TV’s and Monitors incur a $20 fee per item; Appliances incur a $20 fee per item.

Effective May 1, 2020, the following provisions took effect (see ORDINANCE 20-0-01)

No Contractor-generated construction materials will be collected; however, small home-improvement material that is generated by the resident and properly set out will be collected.
Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is properly set out will be collected; however, Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per collection, per hour
Certain materials set out for collection will require a fee. These include:
a. Appliances - stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, water heaters, etc. - $20 per item
b. Televisions and monitors - $20 per item
c. Tires (off the rim) - $4 per tire
Mattresses and boxsprings must be wrapped in plastic, or placed in a plastic mattress bag, in order to be collected.
Oversized, overweight, improperly sorted material, or collections requiring use of a crane, will be assessed a fee of $100 per collection, per hour.
Refuse Carts: The City will provide up to two refuse carts free of charge per household. There will be an annual cost of $50 for a third refuse cart. A maximum of three refuse carts are allowed per household.

ELECTRONICS DROP-OFF LOCATION
An electronics drop off box is located to the right of the front door to Davis Hall. To participate, users must have a valid College Park ID and cannot drop off more than three (3) items to dispose.

BULK TRASH CHANGES START JULY 1, 2021

ORDINANCE 20-O-02

An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park, Amending City Code Chapter 119, “Refuse, Solid Waste and Special Trash” and Chapter 110, “Fees and Penalties,” to change how bulky trash is collected, to set fees for collections of an excess number of items, and to set penalties for violations.

On January 28, 2020, the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park held a public hearing on Ordinance 20-O-02, an Ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 119, “Refuse, Solid Waste and Special Trash” and Chapter 110, “Fees and Penalties,” to change how bulky trash is collected, to set fees for collections of an excess number of items, and to set penalties for violations. Following the Public Hearing, the Mayor and Council discussed and amended the ordinance prior to its adoption.

On February 24, 2022 the Ordinance was updated; collections are counted based on fiscal year, not calendar year.

Ordinance 22-O-01, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, To Adopt A Corrective Amendment To City Code Chapter 119, “Refuse, Solid Waste And Special Trash” By Repealing And Re-Enacting §119-6, “Collection Of Bulky Trash, Special Trash, And Overweight, Oversized Or Improperly Sorted Items,” To Clarify That Bulky Trash Collections Are Counted Based On Fiscal Year, Not Calendar Year, For Any One Property.

In its final form (Feb. 2022), this Ordinance includes the following provisions:

For a single-family, owner-occupied residence: Up to four bulky refuse collections per fiscal year, with a maximum total of 20 bulky refuse items per fiscal year, will be free of charge to the resident.

For a single-family rental property that pays for City trash services: Up to four bulky refuse collections per fiscal year, with a maximum total of 29 bulky refuse items per fiscal year, will be free of charge.
For quantities and/or frequency more than stated above, a $20 collection fee per item over the allowable number of items will be imposed.

All bulky refuse collections must be scheduled in advance and the caller must identify the quantity and type of items when scheduling a collection.

Bulky refuse items must be set out neatly and separated by type. Public Works staff will provide guidance when you make your appointment.

May 4, 2021 Council discussed an amendment to Ordinance 20-O-02, Bulk Trash, to allow for waiver of fees in a hardship - Ordinance 21-O-06

Schedule an Appointment

Special and bulk trash are collected on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only. Appointments fill up fast - make sure to call early in the week to ensure an appointment.

Contact the Department of Public Works to schedule a pickup.

Collections are by appointment only so that our Department of Public Works is aware of large pickups and has an appropriately sized crew and machinery. Appointments also prevent trash from sitting in our neighborhoods collecting vermin or becoming unsightly.

Help keep our City beautiful by making your special and bulk trash appointments prior to setting out the items to the curb.

What is Soft Yard Waste?

Soft yard waste consists of any soft vegetative yard waste such as grass, leaves, vines, weeds, small trimmings (no thicker than a pencil), and clippings.

When is Soft Yard Waste Collected?
Soft yard waste is collected year round on your regular refuse/recycling day.

How to properly prepare your soft yard waste for collection:

Make sure you keep soft yard waste separate from woody yard waste - do not mix them. Soft yard waste is processed into Smartleaf Compost and woody yard waste is processed into wood mulch.
Use paper yard waste bags, the beige yard waste cart, or personal reusable containers. *Personal containers must have a yellow City yard waste decal which is available for free at Public Works.
Set material at the curb by 7:00 am
Do not use plastic bags
Do not use City issued refuse or recycling carts, or material will not be collected.

What is Woody Yard Waste?

Woody yard waste includes brush, branches, logs, shrubs, bamboo, sticks, and twigs.

When is Woody Yard Waste Collected?
These items are collected year round on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only. Please click here to request a pickup.

Proper preparation for Woody Yard Waste

Must make an appointment for all woody yard waste collections.
All material must be bundled or tied, or containerized. No loose piles.
Tree limbs, branches, and shrubs may be placed for collection and shall be packed in bundles, not to exceed 25 in number, or placed in the yard waste cart and cut to fit so that the lid will close.
Bundles of woody material shall measure less than 2 feet in diameter and weigh not more than 50 pounds.
Bundled tree limbs, branches and sticks may not be more than four feet in length and four inches in diameter for individual branches.
Bundles shall be placed adjacent to the curb. Bundled items, including shrubs, must be tied with biodegradable materials such as rope, twine or string (no wire), or contained in recyclable paper bags.
No more than 25 bags will be collected at one time.
Up to 25 individual log sections not to exceed 12 inches in length and diameter and 50 lbs. in weight each, may be placed at the curb per appointment.*
Oversided collection: Woody Yard Waste that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per hour, per collection and you must schedule an appointment.

*The 25-log maximum does not apply to the debris from branches or trees falling onto abutting property, if abutting property owner places at curb properly bundled.

ORDINANCE 20-0-01: Effective May 1, 2020, the following provisions went into effect:
Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is properly set out will be collected; however, Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per hour, per collection. Must schedule an appointment.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Contact the Department of Public Works to schedule a pickup.

TIPS

Do not use City issued refuse or recycling carts for yard waste or it will not be collected.

Do not put animal waste, trash or recycling in with your yard waste. Flower pots, plastic bags/wrappers, toys, balls, rocks and other non-vegetative materials do not belong in with your yard waste. We will not collect yard waste containing these contaminants.

Do not use plastic bags. The City will not accept yard waste in plastic bags. You must use a brown paper yard waste bag, a City Yard Waste container, or any personal reusable container*.

If you use your own reusable container, it must not exceed 32 gallons or 50 pounds. *Reusable containers MUST have a City yard waste decal. Decals can be picked up for free at Public Works. You may want to drill small holes in the bottoms of personal containers for water drainage.

KEEP GRASS OUT OF THE STREET
Grass and leaves pushed into the street wash into storm drain systems, potentially clogging them, which may result in flooding. Debris that washes into storm drains is transported through local waterways and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay, threatening aquatic life and drinking water quality.

Instead, you can leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle the nutrients or start a compost pile in your backyard (click here for a brochure from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.) You may also place clippings in paper bags or reusable containers for weekly curbside pickup on the same day as your trash and recycling collection.

Yard Waste Carts Available for Purchase

The City offers beige yard waste carts for $30 for City residents. The cart can be used for either “soft yard waste” or “woody yard waste”, but please don't mix the two together. The two materials are collected on separate days and processed into different products.

This sturdy cart has wheels and a lift-bar for easy collection. Using the new yard waste cart can save time and money – single use paper lawn bags become expensive over time and can tear or fall apart when wet.

You can purchase and pick up a yard waste cart at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You would need a van or SUV because it is large. If you have no way to get it home, please call to arrange payment and delivery 240-487-3590.

CURBSIDE LEAF COLLECTION BEGINS NOVEMBER 6

Curbside Leaf Collection is an annual City service that begins in late October or early November and ends in January depending on weather conditions. This annual collection diverts leaves and other soft yard waste from the landfill and is used to make SMARTLEAF compost.

Please put your leaves in paper bags, the yard waste cart, or a personal container with a yellow yard waste sticker (available for free at Public Works) and place them at the curb on your regular trash and recycling day for collection.

Participation in leaf collection is optional, and leaving leaves in yards and gardens has many benefits, such as amending soil and providing critical overwintering habitat for native pollinators.

SERVICE AREA DESCRIPTIONS

SA-1 Calvert Hills
Albion Rd north to Calvert Rd; U.S. Route 1 east to Bowdoin Ave.

SA-2 Old Town and West Side of Route 1
Calvert Rd north to Norwich Rd; Cornell Ave east to Columbia Ave.

SA-3 College Park Estates and Yarrow

SA-4 Lakeland and Berwyn
Pierce Ave north to Route 193, U.S. Route1 east to 54th Ave.

SA-5 West Side of Rhode Island Avenue
Route 193 north to Niagara Rd; Autoville Dr east to Rhode Island Ave Includes Cherry Hill area.

SA-6 East Side Rhode Island Avenue
Branchville Rd north to Narragansett Pkwy/Muskogee St; Rhode Island Ave east to Metro Line.

SA-7 North End
Narragansett Pkwy north to Paducah Rd; Rhode Island Ave east to 53rd Ave

SA-8 College Park Woods including Crystal Springs, Acredale Ct, and Patricia Ct

TIPS – THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LEAF COLLECTION!

Bagging is not necessary during leaf collection with vacuums. Grass can be included in your leaf piles, but no sticks, branches, vines, or woody materials (as these items require a special collection).
Rake leaves to the curb but do not put them in the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains as the leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars.
Remove tree limbs, rocks, trash, and other debris from leaves to be collected. These items damage the equipment and cause delays.
Noise and dust may be noticeable as dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you put your soft yard waste (grass, leaves and weeds) in bags or containers they will be collected on regular trash collection days. If they are inadvertently missed, please call for a special collection.

You can also save yourself some raking this fall - and help your garden at the same time!

Fallen leaves can be used to make leaf mulch, which can provide many benefits to the trees and other plants in your garden. Simply rake leaves into a pile, into a wire cage, or even just around your trees. The leaves will slowly break down through natural processes to make leaf mulch. To spead up the process, you can mow the leaves to break them into smaller pieces.

Bulk Trash & Special Trash Collections