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Anne Arundel County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

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

Key Facts

Recycling container limit
None: unlimited
Trash container limit
4 per collection day
Earliest curb placement
5:00 p.m. day before
Container must be stored by
Midnight on collection day
First violation fine
$125 (Class D offense)

Summary

Anne Arundel County places no cap on recycling containers at the curb, unlike trash, which is limited to four containers per collection day, and sets fixed put-out and take-in times for both.

City-specific rules exist: Annapolis has its own recycling requirements rules that differ from Anne Arundel County's county-level regulations. If you live in Annapolis, check the city-specific page instead.

(b) Number. No more than four containers of solid waste other than recyclables may be placed for removal on any one day. There is no restriction on the number of containers of recyclables, including yard waste, that may be placed for removal. ... Containers shall be placed curbside no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding collection. Each empty container shall be taken in and stored by midnight on the day of collection.

Source: AAC Title 4 Solid WasteView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).

Full Breakdown

For properties on County curbside collection, § 13-4-104 caps trash at four containers per collection day but places no limit on recyclables or yard waste containers. Containers, including recycling bins, may be set at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before collection and must be brought back in and stored by midnight on collection day. This applies County-wide outside Annapolis, including unincorporated communities like Glen Burnie and Severna Park, where the County is the only collection authority.

Violations & Fines

Violating curbside placement rules is a Class D civil offense under § 13-1-108: $125 first violation, $500 second, $1,000 third or later (general schedule, § 9-2-101).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit on how many recycling bins I can put out in Anne Arundel County?
No. County Code § 13-4-104(b) restricts only non-recyclable trash to four containers per day; recyclables and yard waste have no container limit.
When can I put my recycling bin at the curb in unincorporated Anne Arundel County?
No earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection, per § 13-4-104(c); empty containers must be stored by midnight on collection day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anne Arundel County

All Anne Arundel County rules

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

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Recycling Requirements in Cities Across Anne Arundel County