Prince George's County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Section 21-142(a) establishes 'a program for the separation, collection, and disposition of designated recyclable materials under the direction of the Director of the Department of the Environment.' Subsection (b) opens the voluntary program to County facilities, single-family homes, condominiums, rental buildings, commercial establishments and industrial facilities, and Subsection (c) lets the County collect or arrange for collection from single-family households, rental facilities and condominiums in unincorporated areas through curbside programs or drop-off centers.

Subsection (d) sets the program's numeric targets: at least 45 percent of the County's waste stream recycled by July 1, 2015, at least 55 percent by July 1, 2018, and at least 60 percent by July 1, 2020. If those goals are missed, Subsection (e) directs the Director to develop a mandatory recycling program, including mandatory source separation, for County Council and Solid Waste, Resource Management and Recycling Advisory Commission review, with 30 days' published notice before any mandatory program takes effect under Subsection (f).

Once recyclables are set out, Section 21-147 makes it 'unlawful for any person not authorized by the Director or the governing body of a municipality to remove, or cause to be removed' materials separated for recycling and placed at curbside or other pickup locations. Haulers and collectors licensed under Section 21-105, and any solid waste or recycling contractor under Section 21-137.04, must provide a recycling opportunity or show the Director they have arranged one through another provider under Subsection (g).