Gaithersburg, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Montgomery County mandates recycling for all residents and businesses under County Code Chapter 48 (Solid Waste). Gaithersburg provides curbside single-stream recycling for single-family homes through its contracted hauler. Accepted materials include mixed paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic containers numbered 1-7. Materials must be clean and dry. Contaminated items (food-soaked paper, greasy pizza boxes) should go in the trash. Recycling bins are provided by the city and must be placed at the curb on the same day as trash collection. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and flexible plastic packaging are not accepted in curbside recycling. Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, small branches) is collected separately during the growing season, typically March through December. Yard waste must be placed in paper bags or open containers. Montgomery County operates recycling drop-off centers for additional materials including textiles, cooking oil, and scrap metal. HOA communities typically include recycling in their waste management contracts. Gaithersburg also participates in the county food scraps composting program at select drop-off locations. Contact DPW at 301-258-6370 for recycling questions.