Recycling, Curbside Leaf Collection & Special Trash Collection
Top 5 Impacts of Recycling
Saves Energy & Resources: We use fewer natural resources such as trees, water and minerals when we recycle. Plus, when you extract and process fewer raw materials, you save lots of energy.
Reduces Landfills: Recycling means less waste, which cuts down on the need for landfills and incinerators.
Prevents Pollution: Extracting and processing raw materials causes greenhouse gas emissions — recycling reduces this pollution.
Gives Garbage New Life: When you recycle used items, you create something new (which is pretty cool).
Creates Jobs: Growth in the recycling industry results in the creation of new jobs throughout the country.
Winter Weather Alerts
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years, so be prepared. Visit our website for more information on the steps the City takes when there is a wintery mix in the forecast.
City Department of Public Works crews are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 road miles of City streets. Updates will be posted on the City’s website, all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
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.
Curbside Leaf Collection Begins November 1, 2021
Curbside leaf vacuuming begins November 1 and will continue through the mid-January. Look for the posted signs in your neighborhood to know when curbside leaf collection will occur. Collection schedules are tentative as they depend on weather conditions. Refer to the city website www.collegeparkmd.gov/203/Special-Collections#curbsideleaf for the most up-to-date collection schedule.
To stay on schedule, leaf trucks will not be able to return to collect leaves once they have already been through your street. Each area of the City is scheduled to be serviced at least 4 times during this period, so there will be several opportunities to have leaves collected. Additionally, the vacuum hoses are not able to reach around cars or other obstructions, so it is imperative that piles of leaves are accessible from the street.
Curbside Leaf Collection Do’s and Don’ts:
- No bagging is necessary during leaf collection with vacuums. Grass can be included in your leaf piles, but no vines or woody trimmings).
- Rake leaves to the curb. Do not put them in the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains. The leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars.
- Remove vines or woody yard waste, tree limbs, rocks, trash, and other debris from leaves to be collected. These items can damage the equipment and cause delays.
- Noise and dust may be noticeable. Dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- Leaf vacuuming only occurs in the fall/early winter.
Bulk Trash Collection
For a single-family, owner-occupied residence: Up to four (4) bulky trash collections per calendar 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 calendar 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.
Other Special Collections
The City collects special trash by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. Different trucks are assigned to each category, and material must be source separated for collection.
• Appliances & Metals: Appliances include but are not limited to stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, radiators, hot water heaters and ovens and have a $20 fee per item for collection. Other metals such as bikes, file cabinets, and miscellaneous metal items 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 personal containers or paper yard waste 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).