Baltimore Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 3 items per collection. City of Baltimore residents can put out up to 3 bulk items for trash collection each month. Bulk trash collection is scheduled for a specific Saturday every month. Please call us 4 or more working days before your scheduled Saturday collection date to schedule.
Baltimore bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | City of Baltimore residents can put out up to 3 bulk items for trash collection each month. Bulk trash collection is scheduled for a specific Saturday every month. Please call us 4 or more working days before your scheduled Saturday collection date to schedule. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 3 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 410-396-5398 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedSofas, chairs, and household furniture are accepted for monthly 3-item bulk pickup.
Appliances
AcceptedHousehold appliances can be scheduled for curbside bulk collection via 311.
Construction debris
Not acceptedBuilding materials such as sheetrock, siding, wood pieces, or roofing are prohibited from bulk pickup.
How to throw away a mattress in Baltimore
Follow the listed bulk rule: City of Baltimore residents can put out up to 3 bulk items for trash collection each month. Bulk trash collection is scheduled for a specific Saturday every month. Please call us 4 or more working days before your scheduled Saturday collection date to schedule.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Baltimore Curbside Scavenging & Trash Picking Rules
Whether you want usable items salvaged before the compactor crushes them or you are looking for scrap metal, understand the local curbside legal boundaries in Baltimore.
Public Curb vs. City Cart Ownership
Under federal precedent, property discarded in public rights-of-way is legally abandoned. However, many municipal ordinances classify materials placed inside official city-owned recycling carts as city property. Removing materials from inside containers can trigger municipal pilfering fines.
Mark Usable Items with a "FREE" Sign
If you want scrap metal collectors or neighbors to haul away working appliances, lawnmowers, or furniture before bulk pickup day, tape a clear "FREE" sign to the item and place it directly on the curb line away from your private driveway.
Baltimore Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Baltimore City County.
📍 5030 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore, MD 21215
City solid waste transfer station accepting municipal waste, large bulk trash, and small hauler deliveries. Open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 6100 Quarantine Rd, Baltimore, MD 21226
Municipal disposal area offering free residential drop-off for excess bulk waste, clean and dry mattresses, and household debris. Open Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
📍 2840 Sisson St, Baltimore, MD 21211
Public residential recycling facility accepting clean single-stream recyclables, scrap metal, and rigid materials with proof of residency.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
If your project exceeds city bulk limits, review our dumpster rental vs. bulk pickup cost comparison or read our construction debris weight guide.
Local disposal alternatives in Baltimore City County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Northwest Transfer Station
5030 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore, MD 21215
City solid waste transfer station accepting municipal waste, large bulk trash, and small hauler deliveries. Open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Quarantine Road Landfill Residential Drop-Off
6100 Quarantine Rd, Baltimore, MD 21226
Municipal disposal area offering free residential drop-off for excess bulk waste, clean and dry mattresses, and household debris. Open Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Northwest Residential Recycling Drop-Off Center
2840 Sisson St, Baltimore, MD 21211
Public residential recycling facility accepting clean single-stream recyclables, scrap metal, and rigid materials with proof of residency.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Baltimore Department of Public Works · municipal dpw
Phone: 410-396-5398
200 N Holliday StBaltimore, MD 21202
These collection rules cover Zone Baltimore Citywide Curbside Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Baltimore, MD?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Residents are encouraged to set out their items on their designated collection day. Set out trash in durable green city-issued carts with tight-fitting lids; set out no earlier than the evening before collection.. These rules apply to Zone Baltimore Citywide Curbside Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Baltimore?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Baltimore Citywide Curbside Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Baltimore?
City of Baltimore residents can put out up to 3 bulk items for trash collection each month. Bulk trash collection is scheduled for a specific Saturday every month. Please call us 4 or more working days before your scheduled Saturday collection date to schedule. The listed limit is 3 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 410-396-5398 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Baltimore Citywide Curbside Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Baltimore?
The listed accepted materials are Paper (newspaper, magazines, mixed mail, office paper, envelopes), Cardboard (broken down shipping boxes and rigid paperboard containers), Plastics (clean plastic bottles and jugs), Metal (empty aluminum beverage cans and steel soup tins; clean and dry). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film wrap (will not collect items in plastic bags), Styrofoam and foam food containers, Food waste and soiled containers, Drinking glasses, ceramics, and pyrex, Hoses, cords, and electronics. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Baltimore Citywide Curbside Routes.