Baltimore County, MD Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Curbside recyclables
- Become county property once set out
- Scavenging penalty
- $100-$500 fine, misdemeanor
- Hauler permit
- Required from DPAI; renews Dec. 31 yearly
- Enforcement
- Dept. of Public Works and Transportation
- Nonprofit collectors
- Charitable/civic groups may collect recyclables
Summary
Baltimore County requires residents in its recycling program to separate recyclables from trash at the curb under regulations tied to the county solid waste plan, and everything set out becomes county property the moment it's placed. Taking recyclables from a curb without authorization is a misdemeanor enforced under County Code Section 17-1-112.
(a)Authority to adopt regulations. The county may adopt regulations for the purpose of promoting the recycling of solid waste.(b)Content of the regulations. The regulations shall:(1)Require residents designated by the county to separate certain recyclable materials from their solid waste at the collection point in accordance with provisions of the county solid waste recycling plan;(2)Prohibit the collection of source-separated recyclable materials...by any person except employees of the county engaged in public work or private companies authorized by the county.(c)Recyclable materials property of the county. Recyclable materials...become the property of the county. ... Section 17-1-112(c)Prohibited. Unless authorized by the county, a person may not remove or cause to be removed recyclable materials or materials separated for the purpose of recycling that are set at curbside or other pickup locations for collection by authorized collectors.(e)Penalty. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $500.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Under Baltimore County Code Section 13-4-213, the county adopts regulations requiring residents it designates to separate recyclable materials from solid waste at the collection point, following the county's solid waste recycling plan. Only county employees engaged in public work or private companies authorized by the Department of Public Works and Transportation may collect source-separated recyclables; a private recycling hauler must obtain a permit from the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections and renew it by December 31 each year. Commercial, manufacturing, and industrial waste generators may source-separate and arrange their own collection, and charitable, nonprofit, and civic organizations are separately permitted to collect and process recyclable materials.
Once recyclable materials are separated for collection under the county program and set at curbside or another pickup location, they become the property of the county. Section 17-1-112 backs this up on the street: it is unlawful for anyone other than an authorized collector to remove recyclables set out for pickup, whether by a scavenger looking for cans or a competing hauler, and law enforcement officers are specifically authorized to search for and seize recyclable materials taken in violation of the section.
Violations & Fines
Removing recyclables from a curb or other county pickup point without authorization is a misdemeanor under Section 17-1-112, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $500; police may search for and seize the taken materials. A private hauler collecting recyclables without a Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections permit is subject to the county's code enforcement citation process under Article 3, Title 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take cans or bottles from a neighbor's recycling bin?
Who can legally collect recyclables in Baltimore County?
Do businesses have separate recycling obligations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
Compare Baltimore County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
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