2010 collection handbook

Montgomery County GovernmentDepartment of Environmental Protection

Division of Solid Waste Services101 Monroe Street, 6th Floor

Rockville, Maryland 20850

rECYCLING & rEFUSECollECtion HAnDBooK

PlEASE HAvE your mAtEriAlS At tHE CurB

BEforE 7:00 A.m. on tHE DAy of your

CollECtion.

QuEStionS? PlEASE CAll 311out-of-county: 240-777-0311, tty: 240-773-3556

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311

glASS, mEtAl & PlAStiC rECyCling

All recyclables must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. • on your recycling collection day.

NO PLASTIC BAGS.• Please do not mix paper with these recyclables.•

What about clamshell containers?Currently, clear plastic “clamshell” and Styrofoam® containers are not accepted in our recycling program.

All plastic bottles, • jars, tubs, lids, buckets and pails (up to fivegallons),flowerpots,andplasticreusablecontainers.

Glass and metal food and beverage containers.•All aluminum food and beverage containers, and foil.•All empty, non-hazardous aerosol cans.•

ACCEPtABlE itEmS for BluE Bin

Glass jars/bottles

Plastic bottles, beverage cups, tubs, buckets,lids,andflowerpots

Plastic, reusable containers

Aluminum/metal beverage and food containers, foil, and

non-hazardous aerosol cans

PAPEr rECyCling

Allcleananddrypaper,newspaper,unwantedmail, • books, magazines, and cardboard and paperboard boxes.

Wax-coated milk and juice cartons, juice and drink boxes, • paper beverage cups, and frozen food boxes.

If you don’t have a blue cart, paper must be in a small • paperbag,aboxwithasecurelid,orbundledwithtwine. Each container, bag or box must weigh less than 45 pounds.

Shredded paper must be in • a small paper bag, or a box with a secure lid.

Flatten boxes to maximize your cart’s • capacity.

ACCEPtABlE itEmS for BluE CArt

Cardboard boxes

Cardboardboxesnolongerneedtobeflattenedforcollection.However,flattenedboxesmakecollectionmoreefficientandallowyoutoputmore paper in your cart. Oversized boxes can be placed next to your blue cart for collection.

Do cardboard boxes need to be flattened?

Newspapersand magazines

Paperboard boxes and clean pizza boxes

Mixed paper and unwantedmail

Wax-coated milk and juice cartons, frozen food boxes

Paperback and hardcover books

Grass LeavesBrush

PlEASE PrEPArE yArD trim in tHE folloWing mAnnEr:

ACCEPtABlE itEmS for yArD trim

Brush may also be tied • into bundles up to 30” in diameter. Each piece of brush can be no more than 4” thick and 4’ long.

Grass, leaves, and brush may be placed in large paper • yardtrimbags,orreusablecanswithagreenCounty provided YARD TRIM label on it. Each bag and container must weigh less than 45 pounds.

yArD trim rECyCling

Howmuchyard trim can I put out for collection?Since Montgomery County encourages residents to recycle as much as they can, there is no limit on the amount of yard trim that can be placed curbside.However,wedoencourage residents to grasscycle and compost their yard trim.

YARD TRIM- Please have the label facing the street for proper collection -

GRASS - LEAVES - BRUSHMontgomery County, Maryland


GRASS - LEAVES - BRUSH

Montgomery County, MarylandYARD TRIM

- Please have the label facing the street for proper collection -




no PlAStiC BAgS•Dirt or sod •Root balls •

Tree stumps •Lumber•Rocks•

mAtEriAlS not ACCEPtABlE

Bundlesmustweighlessthan45poundseach.•

Securelytied bundles

Lawn/leaf Paper bags

Cans labeled “Yard Trim”

grASSCyCling AnD ComPoSting

WHAt iS grASSCyCling?Grasscycling is the simple practice of leaving grass clippings onthelawnduringthelawnmowingprocess.

it’S EASy & EConomiCAl.Grasscycling reduces the time and effort spent cutting and maintainingyourlawnbyeliminatingtheneedtoplaceclippingsinlawnbagsorcontainersforyardtrimrecyclingcollection. It also saves money by eliminating the need for paperlawnbags.Basic rule: Do not cut any more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade when mowing.

it’S ECologiCAl.Throughtheprocessofnaturalrecycling,lawnclippingsreleasevaluablenutrients.Properlymaintainedlawnscanslowrunofffromrainandmeltingsnow,preventerosion,andtrap sediment and chemicals before they enter streams and waterways.Theyalsocontributetocleanerairbycapturingdust and other airborne particles.

Interested in Composting?

Formoreinformationandlocationsonwheretopick-upafreecompostbin, please call 311orvisitourMC311websiteat:


Compostingisaneasywaytoturnyardtrimmings,suchasgrassclippingsandleaves,intoasoilthatwillbenefityourlawnandgarden,ratherthanusingfertilizersthatarepotentially harmful to the environment.

HoW to ComPoSt uSing A ComPoSt Bin1. Pick a location near a water source, and at least one foot from a tree or fence.2. use a mixture of leaves, grass and vegetable scraps (no bones or meat).3. Keep the mixture moist, but not soaked.4. turn pile on occasion to aerate it.5. it can be used for your lawn or garden within 6 to 12 months.

Scrap metal can be collected on your regular recycling • collection day. You must call us to schedule this service nolaterthan11:00a.m.onthebusinessdaypriortoyour collection day. Contact our customer service line at 311.

Scrap metal is any item made of 51% or more metal.•We do • not accept paint cans, oxygen or propane tanks,

or items longer than 8 ft.

SCrAP mEtAl rECyCling

Forgas-poweredequipment,pleaseremovetheflammableliquid.Forlawnmowers,pleasedrainthegasand oil into a proper container and dispose of correctly. For gas grills, please remove the propane tank. For refrigerators/freezers, please remove the doors or tape them shut.

Safety First!

ExAmPlES of SCrAP mEtAl itEmS:

SCrAP mEtAl rECyCling

Metal furniture

GrillsAppliances

Metal sports equipment

Lawnequipment

trASH rulES

Each residence is entitled to • fivebulktrashcollections per calendar year. Bulk trash collection consists of large itemsthatwillnotfitintoabagorcontainer.

Trash must be in containers made of rigid plastic or metal, • musthaveatightfittinglid,andacapacitybetween 15 and 45 gallons. Larger containers may be used, but cannotbefilledwithloosetrash.Trashinoversized containers must be secured in large plastic bags. Each can or bag cannot weigh more than 45 pounds.

Do not place containers at the curb more than one day • priortothecollectionday,andremovewithin24hours aftercollection.Loosepilesoftrashwillnotbecollected.

tyPE AnD SiZE of ContAinErS

BulK trASH

TRASH MUST BE AT THE CURB BEFORE 7:00 A.M.

Bulk collections can be scheduled by calling • 311. Please have an itemized list preparedwhenyoucall. The deadline for scheduling a bulk pick-up is 11:00 a.m. the business day before your collection day.

- Bookcases- Chairs- Couches- Several trash bags

- Stereos- Tables- TV stands- TVs

For example:

To have an old trash container collected as trash, call our customer service line to schedule a bulk trash collection and place a note stating “PlEASE tAKE”. Turn theemptycontainerupsidedownandplace at the curb on your collection day.

HowcanIhaveatrash can collected as trash?

trASH rulES

lAtEx PAint DiSPoSAlIf you must dispose of latex paint, •

to avoid spills, please make sure it is completely dry. Air dry it or add paint hardener, cat litter or shredded paper.

Place up to • 4 cans of dried paint for collectionwithyourregulartrash.For morethan4cans,pleasecalland requestabulkcollection.

Thefollowingmaterialscannotbecollectedatanytime:mAtEriAlS not ACCEPtABlE

poisons •acids •caustics •explosives or ammunitions •hazardous materials•infectiouswaste•

dead animals/fecal • material

oil based/alkyd paints •dirt, rock, sod •tree trunks or stumps•

gasoline,oilorotherflammablesubstances•

Trash not acceptable for residential collection may be • disposed by residents at the Solid Waste transfer Station:

16101 frederick road, Derwood, mD. For further information on the Transfer Station, please call 311.

There is no disposal charge for residential trash • under 500 pounds deliveredinprivatelyownedandoperated automobiles, stationwagons,ortrailers.Uptofour(4)tires can be disposed of at the Transfer Station at one time.

DiSPoSAl of trASH By rESiDEntS

Formoreinformationabouttrashcollecitonorrequests,please call 311orvisitourwebsitebelow:


Please place trash bags into a trash can with a tightfittinglidbeforeyousetyourtrashatthecurb for collection.

PlEASE CAn it!

tHE Solution

Plastic bags at the curb create litter caused by scavenging birds, squirrels,

Trash cans, which are required, may be plastic or metal.

raccoons, cats and other animals tearing into plastic bags of trash. Preventing littered trash helps keep neighborhoods safe and clean.

Use trash cans with tight fitting lids to hold your trash. These will prevent birds and other animals from tearing

plastic bags open and allowing trash to blow around.

tHE ProBlEm

Please place trash bags into a trash can with a tightfittinglidbeforeyousetyourtrashatthecurb for collection.

PlEASE CAn it!

tHE Solution

Plastic bags at the curb create litter caused by scavenging birds, squirrels,

Trash cans, which are required, may be plastic or metal.

raccoons, cats and other animals tearing into plastic bags of trash. Preventing littered trash helps keep neighborhoods safe and clean.

Use trash cans with tight fitting lids to hold your trash. These will prevent birds and other animals from tearing

plastic bags open and allowing trash to blow around.

tHE ProBlEm

HoliDAy SliDE SCHEDulE

Thefollowingholidaysmayalteryourcollectionschedule.When your recycling day falls on one of these holidays, the collectionwillbemadethenextday,andremainingpickupsthatweekwillslideonedaylater.TheTransferStationwillalsobeclosedontheseholidays:

new year’s Day (January 1)

martin luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)

memorial Day (last Monday in May)

independence Day (July 4)

labor Day (first Monday in September)

thanksgiving Day (last Thursday in November)

Christmas Day (December 25)

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

no Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday CollECtionS Collections Collections Collections Collections Collections

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY HoliDAy Monday Tuesday Wednesday no Thursday Friday Collections Collections Collections CollECtionS Collections Collections

When a holiday falls Monday through Friday, collection days prior to the holiday will stay the same.

When the actual holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday (not the observedholiday),collectionsoccurontheregularschedule. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY HoliDAy normAl Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday CollECtion Collections Collections Collections Collections Collections

All items must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.

SoliD WAStE SErviCES gEnErAl informAtion

For new and updated information, please visit our MC311 website:


If you have damages resulting from collections, notify the • Division of Solid Waste Services as soon as possible, but nolaterthanfive(5)daysaftertheincident.

The County and/or the collection contractor are not • responsibleforanyitemsnotintendedforcollectionwhich areplacedatornearthecurborroadwayoncollection day,whichareremovedbycollectors.

ClAimS for loSS or DAmAgES:

Hours of operation.....Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

in montgomery County, call.....................................................311 outside of montgomery County, call......................240-777-0311the tty number is.......................................................240-773-3556

Forinformationortoscheduleaservice,pleasecall:

QuEStionS or CommEntS?

311 is Montgomery County’s phone number for non-emergency government information and services.

Call 311 to Get It Done!

HouSEHolD HAZArDouS WAStE

the following items are UNACCEPTABLE for disposal at the HHW site:

Explosives•Commercial, industrial or •

medicalwasteRadioactive materials•

Asbestos•Dioxins•Kepones•Anyunidentifiableitem•

The HHW program is open to Montgomery County residents withhome-generatedhazardouswaste.All patrons must present a valid maryland Driver’s license, with a montgomery County address.

Information about HHW community collection events can be foundonourwebsiteorinyourlocalMontgomeryCountynewspaper.

The HHW program does not accept materials from businesses or other non-residential entities.

For further information about our HHW program,please call 311.

YoumayalsovisitourMC311websitetolearnmoreaboutHHWat:



Montgomery County provides an onsite Household Hazardous Waste(HHW)dropoffareaatourTransferStation.Residentsbringing HHW to the Transfer Station should use the Route 355 (FrederickRoad)entranceleadingtothePublicUnloadingFacility.

Hours of operations are9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Seven days a week.

the following items are ACCEPTABLE for disposal as HHW:

Alkaline batteries are no longer considered hazardouswaste.Manufacturersnowproducebatteries that are virtually free of mercury. Therefore, these batteries may be disposed of in your household trash.

What about Alkaline Batteries?

Insecticides, herbicides • and other pesticides

Fertilizerswithherbicidesor• insecticides

Paint thinners and solvents•Swimmingpoolchemicals•Corrosive household •

cleanersUnwantedfuels•Motor oil•Photographic chemicals•Button-type batteries used •

inwatches,hearingaids and calculators

Oil based/Alkyd paints•Batteries from small •

household appliances such as portable phones and electric toothbrushes

Rechargeable household • nickel/cadmium batteries

Fluorescent light bulbs and • tubes

Mercury or items • containing mercury such as thermometers or thermostats

Vehicle batteries•


the following items are UNACCEPTABLE for disposal at the HHW site:

Explosives•Commercial, industrial or •

medicalwasteRadioactive materials•

Asbestos•Dioxins•Kepones•Anyunidentifiableitem•

The HHW program is open to Montgomery County residents withhome-generatedhazardouswaste.All patrons must present a valid maryland Driver’s license, with a montgomery County address.

Information about HHW community collection events can be foundonourwebsiteorinyourlocalMontgomeryCountynewspaper.

The HHW program does not accept materials from businesses or other non-residential entities.

For further information about our HHW program,please call 311.

YoumayalsovisitourMC311websitetolearnmoreaboutHHWat:


September 12, 2008

yard Waste

grassleavesBrush

Scale House

Public unloading facility

materialsrecycling

facility(mrf)

free mulch

Pick-up Area(Bins)

frederick roadfrederick road

PublicEntrance

CommercialEntrance

the transfer Station has two entrances.

legendTrash Only AreaYard Waste AreaRecycling AreaFacility BuildingsRoads

Directions to Public Drop-off

From Interstate 270 (North or South)Navigate to Local LanesTake Exit 8 - Shady Grove RoadAt light, turn onto Shady Grove Road

(go East towards Gaithersburg)Follow 1 mile to Frederick Rd (Route 355 )Right turn to Route 355 SouthLeft turn at the traffic light (Ridgemont Ave)

South on Route 355Cross Shady Grove RoadTurn left at the traffic light (Ridgemont Ave)

North on Route 355Cross Redland Road / Redland BlvdPass Reed Brothers Dodge and Public StorageTurn right at the light (Ridgemont Ave)


from interstate 270 (north or South)Navigate to Local LanesTake Exit 8 - Shady Grove RoadAt light, turn onto Shady Grove Road


South on route 355Cross Shady Grove RoadTurn left at the traffic light (Ridgemont Ave)

north on route 355Cross Redland Road / Redland BlvdPass Reed Brothers Dodge and Public StorageTurn right at the light (Ridgemont Ave)

transfer Station Hours

Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PMSat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PMSun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

truck EntranceMon - Sat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PMSun CLOSED

Car (resident) Drop-offThe Route 355 entrance (below) is used bycars and trailers bringing less than 500 poundsof trash. Pickup trucks may use thisonly if delivering recycled materials.

The Shady Grove Road entrance (left)is used primarily by commercial trucks,pick-up trucks, and County vehicles.

> Used Oil> Antifreeze> Household Haz. Waste> Building Materials> Bottles and Cans> Clothing and Textiles> Mixed Paper

recyclable materials include:> Electronics> Computers> Appliances> Scrap Metal> Lawn Mowers> Bicycles> Tires

16101 Frederick RoadDerwood, MD 20855

240-777-6560mAP & DirECtionSSHADy grovE WAStE trAnSfEr StAtion

GreatIndoors

PublicStorage

SHADy grovE SoliD WAStE trAnSfEr StAtion/rECyCling CEntEr mAP & DirECtionS 16101 Frederick Rd

Derwood,MD20855

September 12, 2008

yard Waste

grassleavesBrush

Scale House

Public unloading facility

materialsrecycling

facility(mrf)

free mulch

Pick-up Area(Bins)

frederick roadfrederick road

PublicEntrance

CommercialEntrance

the transfer Station has two entrances.

legendTrash Only AreaYard Waste AreaRecycling AreaFacility BuildingsRoads


From Interstate 270 (North or South)Navigate to Local LanesTake Exit 8 - Shady Grove RoadAt light, turn onto Shady Grove Road


South on Route 355Cross Shady Grove RoadTurn left at the traffic light (Ridgemont Ave)

North on Route 355Cross Redland Road / Redland BlvdPass Reed Brothers Dodge and Public StorageTurn right at the light (Ridgemont Ave)


from interstate 270 (north or South)Navigate to Local LanesTake Exit 8 - Shady Grove RoadAt light, turn onto Shady Grove Road


South on route 355Cross Shady Grove RoadTurn left at the traffic light (Ridgemont Ave)

north on route 355Cross Redland Road / Redland BlvdPass Reed Brothers Dodge and Public StorageTurn right at the light (Ridgemont Ave)

transfer Station Hours

Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PMSat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PMSun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

truck EntranceMon - Sat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PMSun CLOSED

Car (resident) Drop-offThe Route 355 entrance (below) is used bycars and trailers bringing less than 500 poundsof trash. Pickup trucks may use thisonly if delivering recycled materials.

The Shady Grove Road entrance (left)is used primarily by commercial trucks,pick-up trucks, and County vehicles.

> Used Oil> Antifreeze> Household Haz. Waste> Building Materials> Bottles and Cans> Clothing and Textiles> Mixed Paper

recyclable materials include:> Electronics> Computers> Appliances> Scrap Metal> Lawn Mowers> Bicycles> Tires

16101 Frederick RoadDerwood, MD 20855

240-777-6560mAP & DirECtionSSHADy grovE WAStE trAnSfEr StAtion

GreatIndoors

PublicStorage

transferStation

route 355

Pick up Area(recycle &

Compost Bins)

the transfer Station has two entrances.TheRoute355entrance(below)isusedbysmall vehicles bringing less than 500 pounds of material.

TheShadyGroveentrance(left)isusedprimarily by commercial trucks, pick-up trucks, and county vehicles.

> Appliances> Bicycles> Bottles and Cans> Clothing and Textile> Computers> Cooking Oil and UsedOil> Electronics

>LawnMowers> Mixed Paper> Reusable Building Material> Scrap Metal> Yard Trim

route 355

Small vehiclestransfer Station Drop-off Hours:

Trash Only AreaYard Trim AreaRecycling AreaFacility BuildingsRoads

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2010 collection handbook

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