Montgomery County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory materials
- Metals, glass, paper, cardboard, oil, batteries, tires, plastics
- Violation class
- Class B violation under §48-49
- Civil fine
- $100 first offense, $150 repeat
- Criminal fine
- Up to $200 or 30 days jail
- Who may collect
- Only County-licensed haulers
Summary
Montgomery County requires households and businesses to separate recyclables like metal, glass, paper and certain plastics for curbside pickup, drop-off, or licensed hauler collection under Chapter 48, Article V, with fines for improper disposal or unauthorized removal.
A person must not dispose of recyclable solid waste in a manner that violates this Article or regulations issued under it. A person must not collect or remove recyclable solid waste which has been set out for collection in a recycling service area in accordance with the Executive regulations governing that area unless; the person is licensed by the County or has a contract with the County to collect recyclable solid waste; or the property owner or occupant has expressly authorized a charitable organization to remove a recyclable item...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County runs a mandatory curbside recycling program under Chapter 48, Article V. Residents, businesses and industries must separate designated recyclable materials, metals, glass, paper, cardboard, motor oil, batteries, tires and certain plastics, and set them out under Executive regulation for County collection, a licensed hauler, or an authorized charitable pickup on a different day. Dumping recyclables as trash or letting an unlicensed hauler grab curbside bins violates the Article, and the County Executive can suspend a violator's regular trash collection. Municipalities left out of a County recycling service area, such as Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, run their own separate programs (§48-47(g)).
Violations & Fines
Improper disposal or unlicensed removal of set-out recyclables is a class B violation: up to a $200 criminal fine (30 days jail) or a $100 civil fine, $150 for a repeat offense, under §§48-49 and 1-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials does Montgomery County require residents to recycle?
What's the penalty for putting recyclables in the trash in Montgomery County?
Can a private company pick up my recycling bin from the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
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