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Howard County, MD Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Frequency
Once per week
Collection window
6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weekly item cap
Four cans, bags or bundles
Who is served
Fee-paying residences
Item weight
Under 40 pounds each

Summary

Howard County collects trash once a week, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., for households that pay the yearly Trash and Recycling Service fee. Up to four cans, bags, or bundles are collected each week.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Trash is collected once a week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

The Bureau of Environmental Services provides weekly curbside trash collection to residences that pay the annual trash-and-recycling fee on their property tax bill. Collection runs once a week between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., and pickup time can vary day to day. Up to four cans, bags, or bundles are taken each week, with each item under 40 pounds. Recycling and food-scrap collection are also weekly. Bundled items may not exceed 4 feet in length or 18 inches in diameter. Residents should check the county curbside guide for their specific collection day.

Violations & Fines

Excess or overweight material may be left uncollected. Waste that spills and attracts vermin can be cited as a health nuisance under Howard County Code Sec. 12.110.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is trash collected?
Once a week, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., for households that pay the yearly Trash and Recycling Service fee. Pickup time may vary.
How much trash will they take?
Up to four cans, bags, or bundles weekly, each weighing under 40 pounds. A container over 40 gallons has each inner bag counted as one item.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview

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