15/17
  • Pages
  • Editions
01 Cover
02 Table of Contents
03 Upcoming City Events
04 MLK Tribute
05 ARPA Mental Health
06 MEI
07 Community Survey
08 Election Survey
09 Winter Pollinators
10 Curbside Collection
11 Curbside Leaf Collection
12 Snow and Ice Removal
13 Tip of the Month
14 ARPA Assistance Programs
15 DPW Collections, Recycling, & Tree Plantings
16 Calendar & Announcements
17 Public Notices

Composting, Recycling, & Trees

Holiday Light Recycling

Holiday string lights, working or non-working, are accepted for recycling at MOM’s Organic Market, 9801 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park. The string lights are collected for recycling beginning in December and continuing through early January.

Please remove lights from bags/packaging and place in the designated holiday lights recycling bin located in the lobby when you enter MOM’s Organic Market.


Water Main Breaks

As it gets cooler, the risk of water main breaks increases. The first step to repairing a water main is YOU! Report it to WSSC Water 301-206-4002; please have the physical address of the water main break available when you call.


Electronics Drop-Off Location

City of College Park residents can bring electronics for recycling to the drop-off box near the entrance of the front doors to Davis Hall. No more than 3 items can be disposed of at no cost.

· Acceptable: TVs, monitors, microwaves, gaming systems, computers, hard drives, cell phones, printers, laptops, copiers, fax machines, cable, and circuit boards.

· Unacceptable: Light bulbs of any kind (LED, CFL, Fluorescent light bulbs or tubes) or batteries of any kind.


SmartLeaf Compost and Wood Mulch

Smartleaf® compost and wood mulch are both available! Purchase and pick up material at the Department of Public Works (9217 51st Avenue, College Park) Monday-Friday 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Deliveries are over for the season, check back in the spring.

Material can be loaded into open-bed pickup trucks or trailers. Don't have a truck? Bring a shovel and your own containers (bins, buckets, bags, etc.), and be prepared to load your containers yourself. We sell in 1/4 cubic yard increments:

  • ¼ cubic yard is approximately 50 gallons (10 five-gallon buckets, or 3 paper yard waste bags filled half full)
  • ½ cubic yard is approximately 100 gallons (20 five-gallon buckets, or 6 paper yard waste bags filled half full)

For more information on compost click here, or wood mulch click here. For further questions call 240-487-3593.


Bulk Trash Collection

For a single-family, owner-occupied residence: Up to four (4) bulky trash collections per fiscal year, with a maximum total of 20 bulky refuse items per year, will be free of charge to the resident.

For a single-family rental property that pays for City trash services: Up to four (4) bulky trash collections per fiscal year, with a maximum total of 29 bulky refuse items per year, will be free of charge.

For quantities and/or frequency more than stated above, a $20 collection fee per item over the allowable number of items will be imposed. A waiver may be available for a major extenuating circumstance on a limited basis.

Bulky trash includes items such as furniture, carpet, lumber, fencing, mattresses, etc. All bulky trash collections must be scheduled in advance and the caller must identify the quantity and type of items when scheduling a collection.

Bulky refuse items must be set out neatly for collection and separated by type.


Special Collections

The City collects four different types of special trash by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. Different trucks are assigned to each category. Please source separate items into:

  • Bulk Trash: furniture, carpet, large bulky items, lumber with nails bent, fencing, etc. Mattresses and box springs MUST be wrapped in plastic to be collected. All material must be less than five (5) feet long and weigh less than 75 lbs. Residents are allowed 4 collections per fiscal year and 20 items per fiscal year; registered rentals are allowed 4 collections per fiscal year and 29 items per fiscal year.
  • Appliances & Metals: Appliances include stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, hot water heaters and ovens and have a $20 fee per item for collection. Other metals such as bikes, file cabinets and radiators, do not incur a fee.
  • Electronics for Recycling: computers, printers, keyboards, modems, gaming consoles, etc. Please note that TVs, monitors, and microwaves have a $20 fee per item. Residents have the option of bringing these items to the electronics drop-off box at Public Works for free.
  • Brush, Branches, and Logs: All woody material must be bundled and tied in bunches no longer than four (4) feet in length, up to two (2) feet in diameter and no more than 50 lbs. Material can also be placed in City approved containers or bags. Individual branches cannot be wider than four (4) inches in diameter while logs must be cut into 12 inch lengths that are no more than 12 inches in diameter (a maximum of 25 logs will be collected per pickup).

New Tree Permitting Requirements

Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem. A majority of the City’s tree canopy is in residential neighborhoods -- this means our residents can make a big difference in helping to maintain our tree canopy!

On May 10, 2022, the City Council approved Ordinance 21-O-09, which will require a permit to remove trees on residential land. Starting July 1, 2022, those who wish to remove or prune a tree must submit an application for a permit. Applications are available online at www.collegeparkmd.gov/TreeRemovalApp, and in-person at the Department of Public Works. There is no application fee to obtain a permit.

The ordinance was enacted to limit the removal of healthy, mature trees as a measure to maintain the City’s tree canopy. The Tree and Landscape Board and City Council held numerous public meetings and incorporated changes to address many concerns and suggestions from residents.

Residents, property owners, and tree and landscape companies may have many questions about this new permitting process. Visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees for a list of FAQs and for the application.


Year-Round Planning for Tree Planting

Are you interested in having a tree planted on your residential property?

The city is gauging interest in a potentially new tree planting program for residents. Planting is planned for the fall.

If you are interested in having a tree planted on your property by a contractor, please complete the interest form on the City website in the trees section. Select “Tree planting on residential property” and fill out the remainder of the form, or contact horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov

Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increasing property values and improving air quality. The City offers a few ways to help:

  • REQUESTS FOR STREET TREES. The City has a program that provides for street tree planting in the right-of-way area, which includes the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk. College Park residents interested in requesting a tree can contact the horticulturist at 240-487-3595 or horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.
  • TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP). City of College Park property owners can apply for reimbursement of up to $150.00 annually, for approved tree(s) planted on their residential lot. The completed application should be sent to horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov for review and approval. Click here for a link to the guidelines and application.


Tree Maintenance

The City is responsible for tree maintenance of street trees in the rights-of-way, City maintained buildings and parks, and on public property.