Waste Collection Carts

Effective July 2019, the following policy is in effect for households receiving County-contracted Waste Collection Services:

The County will issue ONE recycling wheeled cart, ONE trash wheeled cart, and ONE organics wheeled cart to household residences that receive County-contracted collection services. Residents moving into a new home should contact PGC311 to request delivery of each type of cart. New residents that move into an existing house where the previous owner may have taken the carts should call PGC311 to request a recycling and or trash cart. The Resource Recovery Division (RRD) will require for verification purposes through the tax assessor’s file, that the resident purchased the property/house within the past 12 months. This policy will be strictly enforced. All wheeled recycling and trash carts are the property of Prince George’s County and should remain at the address which it was delivered.

The County does not replace stolen collection carts. New or replacement wheeled carts are available for purchase from hardware, big box, and other retail stores. Residents who replace a County-issued cart or purchase additional carts should mark those trash carts with the word Trash; recycling carts with the word Recycle or a large X, and yard trim carts/cans should be marked Yard/Organic. It is recommended that residents write their home address on each cart.

Other Tips: 


 All recycling carts and bins are the property of Prince George's County Government (with the exception of an additional cart purchased by the resident).

  • Cart serial numbers are registered to specific addresses.
  • The blue recycling carts allow for larger quantities of recyclables to be placed in one container.
  • Carts keep the contents dry.
  • Carts are easy to wheel out to the curb.
  • Place the cart with the lift bar facing the street.
  • Do not overfill or overload the cart so that the lid does not close.
  • Be sure to tilt the cart to engage the wheels when moving it; do not drag the cart.
  • Residents may continue to use the yellow recycling bin to recycle.
  • To report a damaged cart or bin, call 301-952-7630 to report.
  • Carts found to be defaced or used for trash collection will be confiscated by the County and will not be replaced.