Trash & Recycling in Bowie, MD (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Bowie, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
City of Bowie residents must use covered refuse containers between 10 and 32 gallons, made of metal or plastic with handles, weighing no more than 50 pounds when filled, under City Code § 10-3A. Larger 48-to-64-gallon containers are allowed only if fitted with a rear lifting bar, per § 10-3C, and loose refuse must be bagged and sealed before it goes in the can.
Trash Container Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 10-3A, C
Refuse containers shall be provided by the owner or occupant of a City residence. They shall be between 10 gallons and 32 gallons, made of metal or plastic, and equipped with handles. They shall be kept sanitary and in good condition, shall not exceed a weight of 50 pounds when filled, and must be covered at all times. Refuse must be placed inside plastic bags that are tightly tied or otherwise...
Bin Placement Rules
Bowie requires refuse containers to be stored in an enclosed structure or at the rear of the residence under City Code § 10-4, with narrow exceptions for attached homes with no side yard or side-yard storage at least 10 feet from the front corner. Empty cans must be brought back from the curb by 10:00 p.m. on collection day; City crews will not return them.
Trash Can Storage Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 10-4
For purposes of this section, "screening" shall consist of fences and walls lower than four feet in height and/or landscaping that collectively block direct visual access to an object from adjoining properties and public streets throughout the year. ... Refuse receptacles shall be stored on residential property either in an enclosed structure or at the rear of each residence except that: (1) In...
Bulk Item Disposal
Bowie collects bulk household trash such as furniture, mattresses and yard toys with regular trash pickup under City Code § 10-3E, while metal items and up to four tires per year go out separately: residents must call Public Works by noon the Tuesday before the Wednesday pickup under § 10-6B.
Bulk Trash & Metal Pickup Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 10-3E, 10-6B
For purposes of this section, the term "household trash" shall mean any waste material from the operation of a home not included within the definition of refuse. Household trash shall include bulk trash, mattresses entirely wrapped in plastic, furniture, nonmetal cabinetry ... but shall not include yard waste, recycling or metal items, which the City collects separately, or asbestos, concrete, ...
Recycling Requirements
The City of Bowie provides mixed single-stream recycling collection to every home without special request, covering plastic, metal and glass containers, paper and cardboard under City Code § 10-6C. Recyclables must go in the City-provided container and out at the curb between 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup and 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Curbside Recycling Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 10-6C
The City provides collection of mixed (single stream) recycling items on certain days in each section of the City without special request. Items that will be collected for recycling include plastic, metal, and glass food and drink containers; paper; and cardboard. Residents are responsible for checking the City website or contacting the Public Works Department for an updated list of items that ...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash, junk or other refuse on another person's land or on any public street in the City of Bowie is unlawful under City Code § 15-5. A violation is a municipal infraction enforced by a City code enforcement officer, carrying a citation fine and the City's right to seek a court injunction against repeat offenders under § 15-7.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Bowie, MD
Heavy RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 15-5, 15-7
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, dump, or deposit any trash, junk or other refuse upon the land or property of another without the written consent first had and obtained of the owner thereof, or under the personal direction of such owner; or to throw, dump, or deposit any trash, junk or other refuse upon any public street of the City. ... Violations of this article are municipal in...
Yard Waste Collection
The City of Bowie collects bagged grass, leaves and bundled branches from every home each Wednesday without a special request. City Code § 10-6A caps branches at three inches in diameter and four feet in length, requires paper bags kept dry, and excludes items such as bamboo, dirt, rocks, concrete, bricks, stumps and landscape timbers from the yard waste stream.
Bowie Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 10-6, 10-13
§ 10-6. Collection of yard waste, metal and recyclable materials. ... A. The City provides for yard waste collection to all homes in the corporate limits every Wednesday without special request. "Yard waste" includes bagged grass and leaves, and twigs and branches tied securely in bundles. Branches can be no larger than three inches in diameter and no longer than four feet in length. Yard waste...
Dumpster Rules
Bowie caps residential dumpster bags and roll-off dumpsters used for household moves or renovation projects at 45 days per calendar year on private property, with no protruding into the right-of-way, under City Code § 5-7B(6)(a)[7]. Commercial receptacles must be rodent-proof, sanitary, structurally sound and secured against spilling under § 10-5.
Dumpster Placement Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 5-7B(6)(a)[7], 10-5
Residential dumpster bags or dumpsters being used for household relocation and improvement projects are permitted subject to the following conditions: [a] The residential dumpster bag or dumpster is located on a property for no more than 45 days in one calendar year. [b] The residential dumpster bag or dumpster must be located on private property and may not protrude into or damage the public r...
Collection Schedule
In the City of Bowie, refuse and household trash must be set out at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before, under City Code § 10-3B. Trash placed at the curb after 7:00 a.m. on collection day may be skipped, and rear-yard collection applies only where the rear line abuts an alley.
Trash Collection Schedule Rules in Bowie, MD
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 10-3B
§ 10-3. Collection and disposal of refuse and household trash. ... Refuse and household trash shall be placed for collection at the curb in front of the property, except that, for those properties whose rear property line abuts or is adjacent to an alley or public right-of-way where trash is collected from the rear of the property, refuse and household trash shall be placed at the curb in the r...
Recycling Rules
The City of Bowie collects mixed, single-stream recycling from every home on a set day each week without residents needing to request it. City Code § 10-6C requires recyclables to go into City-provided recycling containers, limits accepted materials to plastic, metal and glass food and drink containers plus paper and cardboard, and sets a strict curbside placement window.
Bowie Recycling Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 10-6, 10-13
§ 10-6. Collection of yard waste, metal and recyclable materials. ... ... C. The City provides collection of mixed (single stream) recycling items on certain days in each section of the City without special request. Items that will be collected for recycling include plastic, metal, and glass food and drink containers; paper; and cardboard. Residents are responsible for checking the City website...
Looking for Prince George's County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowie city rules.
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