Montgomery County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Montgomery County Code §§ 48-45 to 48-50
- Program runs by
- County Executive
- Violation class
- Class B violation, per container
- Max criminal penalty
- $200 fine, 30 days jail
- Materials covered
- Metals, glass, paper, oil, batteries, tires, plastics
Summary
Montgomery County requires curbside and drop-off recycling under Chapter 48; residents cannot dispose of recyclable materials as trash, and only county-licensed haulers can collect recyclables set out in a designated recycling service area.
(a) A person must not dispose of recyclable solid waste in a manner that violates this Article or regulations issued under it. (b) 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.
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
The County Executive runs a mandatory recyclable solid waste program under Montgomery County Code §§ 48-45 through 48-50, covering metals, yard waste, glass, newspaper, cardboard, office paper, motor oil, batteries, tires and plastics (§ 48-46). Residents must not discard these materials as trash, and only County-licensed or contracted haulers, or charitable organizations picking up on a separate day, may remove recyclables set out curbside (§ 48-48). The rule applies within recycling service areas the Executive designates; incorporated municipalities such as Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park run their own separate collection programs.
Violations & Fines
Illegal disposal or unauthorized collection of recyclables is a Class B violation: up to a $200 fine and 30 days in jail, or a $100-$150 civil penalty; each container is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I put recyclables in the trash in Montgomery County?
Can a private company pick up my recycling instead of the County?
Does Rockville or Gaithersburg follow this same county recycling law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.