Prince George's County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Program law
- County Code Subtitle 21, Div. 4
- Program established
- Section 21-142
- Rental/condo mandate
- Section 21-149
- Commercial mandate
- Section 21-149.01
- Penalties
- Section 21-152 ($100+)
Summary
Prince George's County runs a countywide recycling program under County Code Subtitle 21, Division 4. The County collects recyclables curbside from single-family and multifamily homes, and rental facilities, condominiums, and commercial and industrial properties have mandatory recycling duties enforced under Section 21-152.
There is hereby established a program for the separation, collection, and disposition of designated recyclable materials under the direction of the Director of the Department of the Environment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Subtitle 21, Division 4 establishes the County's recycling program under the Department of the Environment. Section 21-142 creates the program and lets the County collect designated recyclable materials from single-family households, rental facilities, and condominiums through County-sponsored curbside collection or drop-off centers. Serviced households receive a recycling cart; residents keep recyclables loose (not bagged) and set the cart out weekly. While curbside participation for single-family homes is framed as voluntary source separation, recycling is mandatory for single and multifamily rental facilities and condominiums (Section 21-149) and for commercial and industrial properties (Section 21-149.01), which must provide recycling receptacles and separate recyclables. Landfill disposal of designated recyclables is restricted (Section 21-148), and scavenging of set-out recyclables is prohibited (Section 21-147).
Violations & Fines
Under Section 21-152, violating the rental-facility (21-149) or commercial (21-149.01) recycling duties is a civil violation with a $100 fine, rising to $500, $750, and $1,000 for repeats. A knowing violation is a misdemeanor up to $1,000 or six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Prince George's County collect recycling curbside?
Is recycling mandatory?
What are the penalties for not recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
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