Waste Collection Services

The Public Works Department collects household trash from all single-family homes within the City of Mount Rainier. Trash collection occurs every Wednesday. If unforeseen circumstances (e.g., truck breaks down, snow emergency, hazardous conditions) or a holiday prevents collection on Wednesday, pick-up will occur the next business day. All trash MUST be in a water tight and rodent proof container equipped with a tight-fitting lid, wheels, and lift bar. All trash must be set out any time after 7 pm the day before trash collection and no later than 7 am on trash collection days. For more information, please see the Public Works Trash Rules and Regulations.

Bulky items such as chairs, sofas, box springs, mattresses, tables, appliances, water heaters, wood scraps, old doors, and bamboo are collected for bulk trash. Televisions are not accepted for bulk trash. This service is by appointment only and is collected on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Bulk may be set out on the curb 48 hours before scheduled pick-up. Appointments can be made any time during the two-week period and there is a cut-off time at noon on the Friday before the scheduled pick-up day. Please call the automated line 301-985-6558 and leave a message or email the Program Manager to schedule.

• You are allowed 6 free pickups per year each up to 3 cubic yards.
• There is a fee for refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units ($25). 
• Tires with rim $6 and without rim $5. 

For more information on payments please call the City Hall at 301-985-6585.

Special Bulk Trash: Residents can make arrangements with the Public Works Department for a Special Bulk pick-up when the amount exceeds 3 cubic yards. The cost is determined by the amount of items to be disposed of. An estimate will be made after items are viewed by the department and a price is given, which must be paid prior to pick-up. The minimum fee is $50. For more information on payments please call the City Hall at 301-985-6585.

Items Not Accepted: Hazardous Waste and Construction debris (e.g. soil, concrete, bricks, shingles, drywall, insulation, etc.) are not accepted by the city or at the County Landfill but may be taken to Ritchie Reclamation Landfill; 2001 Ritchie Marlboro Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Biodegradable yard waste such as lawn clippings and leaves, will be picked up every Monday from March-November and the Second (2nd) Monday of the month in December, January, and February (no appointment needed). If unforeseen circumstances (e.g., truck breaks down, snow emergency, hazardous conditions) or a holiday prevents collection, pick-up will occur the next business day. Residents are allowed 3 cubic yards per pick-up. Anyone going over the limit will be asked to pay for the overage (the minimum fee is $50). Bamboo and logs are not yard waste. Bamboo is collected for Bulk Trash and Logs are not accepted by the landfill. Yard waste such as brush and branches must be tied in bundles not more than 4 feet in length and/or 50 pounds. The wire must not be used to tie bundles of yard waste. Dirt and rocks are not accepted as yard waste. Leaves and lawn clippings must be placed in paper bags or in trash cans.

The Public Works Department collects household recycling from all single family within the City of Mount Rainier. Recycling collection occurs every Friday. If unforeseen circumstances (e.g., truck breaks down, snow emergency, hazardous conditions) or a holiday prevents collection, pick-up will occur the next business day.

Recyclables are not accepted in any plastic or paper bags.

The city has provided one 64-gallon recycling container equipped with a tight-fitting lid, wheels, and lift bar. Additional city-provided recycling containers may be purchased from the city at 50% of the cost of the container. Recycle must be set out any time after 7 pm the day before recycling collection and no later than 7 am on recycle collection days

Plastic bags are no longer accepted in your recycling bin or cart.

Here's what not to recycle:

• Any grocery, retail, or trash plastic bag
• Bread bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Fruit and vegetable bags (fresh/frozen)
• Garden product bags
• Newspaper bags
• Outer wrap from paper towels, napkins, and diaper packages
• Outer wrap from cases of soda juice and snacks
• Zipper or stand pouches bubble or cling wrap
• Crinkle bags for cereal pasta or snack bags
• Outer wrap from meat or cheese products

The Department of Public Works is offering electronic recycling to Mount Rainier residents through Unicor. Electronic Items may only be dropped off at the Department of Public Works at 3715 Wells Avenue Mount Rainier, MD 20712 on the scheduled quarterly Saturday drop-off dates. Please see this year's drop-off dates.

Note: Old-style televisions are also known as Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions are not accepted at Unicor.

Electronics Items and Materials Accepted for Unicor Recycling (PDF)

Hazardous Materials Not Accepted by the City of Mount Rainier

• Paint
• Paint Thinner
• Batteries
• Insecticides
• Motor Oil
• Gasoline
• Butane Tanks
• Kerosene
• Animal Carcasses
• Asbestos
• Ash
• Automobiles or related parts

Trash Bins for Sale

Public Works has 48-gallon trash bins and 64-gallon recycle bins available for sale. The bins are equipped with lids, wheels, and lift handles.

Trash Bins Pricing

• $44 - 48-gallon Trash Bins
• $27 - 64-gallon Recycle Bins

How to Purchase Trash Bins

Payments: Payments can be made online or at City Hall.

Trash and recycle bins have to be scheduled ahead of time in order to be picked up at the Public Works Facility during office hours, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Please call 301-985-6583 to schedule your pickup.

Note: One new trash bin and one new recycle bin will be provided for free to new residents; only where bins were not originally assigned to the property during distribution. Residents must provide proof of residency in the City of Mount Rainier.

Purchase Trash & Recycling Bins Online:

Service Request Form - Trash & Recycling Bins