This section of the department is devoted to collection of residential recycling and garbage. The City desires to reduce our solid waste volume by encouraging residents to recycle using our convenient curbside programs.

• Any items specifically restricted or prohibited by the receiving landfill.
• Hazardous materials, biohazard materials, or items containing refrigerant.
• Items collected under the "Bulk Trash" program including but not limited to: appliances and furniture over 50 pounds, tires, computer equipment and electronics, mattresses, building (construction) or demolition waste, etc.
• Recycling or refuse from non-residential or out of City property.
• Containers or items weighing over 50 pounds.
• Recycling or refuse from private streets or alleys unless expressly agreed to by the City.

• Aluminum food and beverage containers with food debris removed to include aluminum foil and pie/baking tins. Labels do not need to be removed.
• Glass food and beverage containers with lids and food debris removed: Clear, Brown Green. Labels do not have to be removed.
• Natural and pigmented plastic narrow-neck containers with symbols 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 (milk bottles, water bottles, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, bleach bottles, etc). Lids and food debris removed. Labels do not have to be removed.
• Ferrous (Iron, steel, tin) cans with food debris removed. Labels do not need to be removed.
• Newsprint – black and white or pigmented. Please do not place in plastic bags
• Construction paper, kraft paper
• Fiber-board such as cereal boxes, shoe boxes, or similar.
• Printer paper, computer paper, copy paper.
• Junk Mail, magazines, catalogs and phone books.
• Corrugated cardboard.
• Empty gable-top milk and juice containers (quick rinse please).
• Aerosol cans.

1. Place all recyclables in one container (no longer need to separate paper).
2. Cardboard must be broken down to a size no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet. Pieces should be bundled but if they are stacked, place them under the recycling container so they don't blow away
3. Cardboard larger than 3 feet by 3 feet will be taken as trash.

The following are not accepted at the recyclable processing center and we will not collect as a “recyclable”:

• Wax coated paper (milk boxes ARE acceptable)
• Any material with substantial food debris (small trace amounts of food residue is ok).
• Plastic Bags or films of any kind.
• Batteries of any kind.
• Styrofoam of any kind.
• Light bulbs of any kind.
• Mirrors, window or auto glass, porcelain, ceramics, glass cookware/bake ware, microwave oven trays, drinking glasses, perfume/cologne bottles.
• Wood or Yard Waste.
• Unnumbered plastics.
• Coat hangers, Wire.
• Household items such as toasters, cookware, bake ware, electronics, appliances, etc.
• Hazardous or toxic substances.
• Items containing or having debris and residue containing hazardous or toxic substances such as paint cans with wet paint, motor oil containers, gasoline cans, glue, petroleum products, etc.

Be Careful...

Recyclables will not be collected when set out improperly. Reasons include:

• Products in plastic bag
• Improper items or contents
• Wrong night.

Everyone is encouraged to use the curbside yard waste collection program. The program is perfect when cleaning up your yard. It’s easy to use and convenient.

Materials to be Recycled

• Leaves
• Grass Clippings
• Brush
• Small Sticks

Set Out Procedures

Yard waste shall be set at curbside, placed in:

• Reusable containers (bins, garbage cans, etc.)
• Paper yard waste and leaf bags Note: 30 gallon brown paper yard waste bags are available at most retail stores.

Be Careful...

... Yard waste will not be collected when set out improperly. Reasons include:

• Wrong night
• Plastic bag
• Containers over 50 lbs.
• Non-yard waste materials

If you have a question, please call the Recycle Hagerstown Line (301) 739-8577 ext. 106.

Starting January 1, 2012, the City is adding collection of trash and recyclables in the City Center (zone F). There is a 95 gallon limit for each trash collection and a 95 gallon limit for weekly recyclables collection. Businesses that generate more trash than that should contact a private hauler. Collection days are as follows:

Holidays: The City will issue advisories when the six major holidays (New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) affects collection. Generally, service the week of the holiday will be delayed one day for any collections scheduled on or after the holiday. There will be no change of service for all other holidays.

Electronics Disposal: All electronics should be taken to the Washington County Landfill. Residents need to cross the scales before disposal. The minimum cost is $8.00 (for the first 250 lbs). Additional fees apply over 250 lbs.

Fluorescent Light Bulb Disposal: Residential customers are permitted to dispose of fluorescent light bulbs in their regular trash. Any businesses or residents with large amounts of light bulbs must contact the landfill.

Used Tire Disposal: All used tires should be taken to the Washington County Landfill. The disposal of car tires is $2.50 each up to 4 tires. Over 4 tires, you have to cross the scale to be weighed.

Battery Disposal: Small household batteries can be disposed of in the regular trash. Car batteries, etc., can be taken to the Landfill for disposal. The Landfill provides a specified area just for batteries, with no fee for disposal.

Dumpster Program: Annually the City has provided a program for City residents to dispose of items free of charge by hauling the materials to the Department of Public Works operations center. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, this program is postponed until further notice.