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1. Why is the county moving to a once-a-week trash collection program?

In 2007, the County made a significant commitment to increasing recycling. After implementation, the County found that many residents do not use the second pickup collection service as they once had. As a result, the County’s household recycling rate has risen to nearly 60 percent, the highest in Maryland, dramatically reducing the amount of trash diverted to the landfill. Some of the benefits of this change include:
Residents receiving County-contracted trash collection get a free cart and may use existing receptacles to handle all household trash;
Promotes higher service efficiencies to increase customer service satisfaction;
Stops wasting taxpayer money for pickups that don’t get used;
Saves the County $6 million every year;
Expands opportunity for new and existing County-based, small and minority-owned businesses;
Stabilizes future solid waste rates; and diverts landfill waste.

2. Will trash collection days change and where do residents find out their trash collection day?

It’s likely that your collection pickup day will change with the new service. Trash and recycling collections will occur on the same day, so residents will need to only make one trip to the curb. Residents will be informed by the County and their respective hauler on the day their scheduled collection will occur. Find Collection Day

3. Will my trash and recycling collection take place on a holiday?

If the County holiday falls during the week of regular trash and recycling collection ( Tuesday - Friday), all collections scheduled on or after the holiday will slide by one day later in the week.  For more information, please refer to the Waste Collection Schedule   or contact CountyClick 3-1-1.

4. Are there any other jurisdictions offering once-a-week trash collection?

Prince George’s County joins the City of Baltimore, the District of Columbia, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery County, as well as several municipalities in making the switch to once-a-week trash collection.

5. What is the county going to do with the cost savings?

The cost savings will allow the County to stabilize the solid waste fund, forestall a fee increase on residents, continue to support code enforcement, litter pickup, illegal dumping cleanups, blight removal and provide new carts to residents at no additional fee.

6. Who should I contact with additional questions?

The Department of Environment will feature detailed information on its website regarding the program at onceaweek.mypgc.us. Information may also be obtained by contacting CountyClick at 3-1-1. Once-a-Week Collection