About
The Trash and Recycling Division provide efficient trash, recycling and composting services at the curb and at Alpha Ridge Landfill. The division provides outreach material, tours, presentations and recycling program assistance to the community.
Curbside Collections
Howard County provides weekly curbside collections to households that pay the yearly Trash and Recycling Service fee. For specific collection guidelines, please visit our pages. Not sure what to do with something? Search our Know Before You Throw table for how to handle items beyond the curb.
Education & Outreach
Take advantage of our many recycling outreach materials. Download brochures, posters and signs. Watch and share our educational videos and ads. Test your skills with the Know Before You Throw sorting game. Take a virtual tour of our facilities and more!
Special Collections & Events
Additional Resources
Alpha Ridge Landfill
Howard County residents can drop off small quantities of household trash and unlimited recyclables at the Alpha Ridge Landfill. In addition to single stream recycling, other hard-to-recycle materials are accepted. Residents bringing construction and demolition debris from home remodeling projects are subject to a tip fee.
Proof of residency is required.
Apartment & Condo Recycling
The State of Maryland mandated that weekly recycling services be provided by all apartment and condominium properties with 10 or more units.
Apartments and condominiums can submit their annual recycling reports and plans and access outreach resources and assistance.
Backyard Composting
Composting is a natural decomposition process. By observing a few simple rules, anyone can be a successful composter.
Attend a compost demonstration for how-to advice from the Howard County Master Gardeners. Feed your garden organically, recycle kitchen scraps and yard trimmings and improve your soil's health! FREE compost bins for Howard County residents.
Business Recycling (Work Green Howard)
County businesses and organizations can get Work Green Howard certified, apply for a Green Award and receive assistance with developing and/or expanding their recycling and composting operations.
Historic Ellicott City
Howard County provides trash and recycling services to the residents and businesses of the Historic Ellicott City District.
Recycling E-newsletter
Stay informed about inclement weather updates, holiday collection changes, updated services and more by signing up for the Recycling E-newsletter. Archived newsletters are available for download.
School Recycling
Students, faculty and staff at Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) have access to recycling services and education materials to help individual schools reduce their waste.
Schools can request recycling presentation and tours from the Bureau of Environmental Services.
Solid Waste Management Plan
In accordance with the Maryland Code of Regulations (COMAR 26.03.03) Howard County has established a plan for sustainable management of solid waste for the next ten years (2025-2034).
Learn more about the County's goals and future plans for solid waste management.
Waste Reduction
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Source reduction and waste prevention are key components of the County's solid waste management plan. Learn how to shop sustainably and reduce your food waste footprint.
