Proper Disposal

General Service Restrictions/Procedures

The following is a list of restrictions and procedures that the customer must follow to ensure safe and efficient waste collection services:

• Ashes - Ashes shall be completely cooled and contained in a plastic bag. Hot ashes pose a fire threat when combined with other waste materials.
• Cardboard - All cardboard should now be set out for recycling. The materials must be completely collapsed and tied in bundles not exceeding 50 pounds.
• Construction/Demolition Waste- Prohibited for collection. This includes:
  • Asphalt
  • Blocks
  • Bricks
  • Concrete
  • Drywall
  • Fencing
  • Metals
  • Plaster
  • Rock
  • Soil
  • Stone
  • Wood
• Dirt - Up to one gallon can be placed out for normal trash collection. Larger quantities may be hauled to the Frederick County Landfill by the property owner or the owner’s agent.
• Fecal Waste - Both animal and human fecal waste should be flushed down the toilet. Soiled diapers, cat litter, and other feces-tainted material can be collected during normal trash collection operations, and must be placed in plastic bags.
• Glass - All broken glass shall be marked as such and wrapped in paper or other material to prevent punching holes in trash bags and endangering collection personnel. All commercial establishments shall place glass in plastic bags, and deposit in 65 or 85 gallon carts to be placed on the sidewalk for waste collection.
• Hazardous Material and Waste - It is illegal to set out materials and waste that pose a hazard to human health and/or the environment. This includes, but is not limited to: tires, used motor oil and antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, and liquids such as fuels, cleaners, pesticides, and paints. The customer is responsible for properly recycling or disposing of these items. For further information call 301-600-1848 or visit the county’s website.
• Free Residential Disposal - City residents (not businesses) may participate in the Frederick County Government’s twice-yearly Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off events held free of charge for residents, in spring and fall. For further information call 301-600-1848 or visit the county’s website.
• Infectious Waste - It is illegal to set out materials and waste that could result in an infectious disease. The customer is responsible for properly recycling or disposing of these items. For further information call 301-600-1848 or visit the county’s website.
• Sharps (Needles) - Lancets, hypodermic needles, and other sharp objects shall be placed in metal or hard plastic containers with lids (i.e., empty laundry detergent bottles) before being placed in a standard waste container for normal trash collection.
• Tires - The city does not collect tires. They may be hauled to the Frederick County Landfill by the property owner or the owner’s agent. Call 301-600-1848 for further information, or visit the county’s website.
• White Goods – White Goods (appliances) shall not be placed out for collection. Due to budget constraints the city is no longer conducting the city-wide Bulk Pick-up Program. Special fee based pick-up arrangements may be made by calling 301-600-1680. It shall be the property owner’s responsibility to remove any hazardous materials (e.g. refrigerants) from these articles according to federal and state regulations prior to collection by the city or its agents.
• Yard Waste - Yard waste consist of any materials normally generated in the maintenance of gardens, yards, lawns, or landscaped areas, whether residential, commercial, or public, including leaves, grass clippings, plants, and trimmings no greater than seven feet in length and no greater than six inches in diameter. Yard waste does not include other tree waste, land clearing debris, waste pavement, soil, or any edible product from any garden, yard, lawn, or landscaped area. Yard waste, including all tree waste, and land clearing debris shall only be placed out for collection during approved special collection days established by the city. Loose branches must be bundled or tied with biodegradable twine and cannot exceed 25 pounds.
• Grass Clippings - While the city banned Grass Clippings from regular trash collection in 2002, we now accept grass clippings in the Yard Waste Collection Program as long as it is bagged in biodegradable yard waste bags or placed in approved non rusting containers 35 gallon size or less, that can be emptied by the collection team. However, the city strongly recommends Grasscycling as an economic and environmentally friendly alternative to collecting and bagging.