Effective November 1, 2021

All food waste/scraps, cooking oil, pet waste and diapers must be placed into a trash bag. Trash bags that contain these items or any other trash that attracts animals, must be inside a trash can with a lid, for collection.

The City of Bowie has a comprehensive curbside collection program for household trash and recyclable materials. It consists of:

• Household Trash Collection - twice weekly, according to the schedule
• Residential Recycling Collection - once weekly, according to the schedule
• Yard Waste Collection - once weekly, on Wednesdays
• Special Pickup - Tires and appliances and other items at least 98% metal will be picked up weekly on Wednesdays, by scheduled appointment only.

Household Trash

Collection Schedule

All items shall be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

Place trash in closed containers weighing less than 50 lbs. when filled or in tied bags. (32 gallon containers are a good size for household trash.)

Collection includes:

• All typical household trash including food scraps.
• Large items (non-metal) including furniture and rugs/carpet (must be rolled, secured with tape, less than 50lbs & under 4ft in length). No appointment necessary; set large items at curb next to other trash.
• If appropriate, please consider donating items to charitable organizations rather than throwing them away. Many of these organizations provide free pickup service.

More details about Household Trash Collection.

Residential Recycling

Residential recycling is picked up weekly. Collection schedule

All items shall be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

Place items loose (not bagged) in a City of Bowie blue recycling cart or other container marked “RECYCLE”.

Accepted items include:

• Plastic, glass, and metal food and drink containers
• Paper (all types)
• Cardboard

Please note:  plastic bags and plastic films/sheets are no longer accepted with Residential Recycling. Learn more about where to recycle plastic bags.

More details about Residential Recycling

Yard Waste

Yard Waste is picked up throughout the City every Wednesday. All items shall be at the curb by 7 a.m.

Place yard waste in containers, paper yard waste bags, or tie branches in bundles weighing less than 50 lbs and measuring less than 4’ in length. Containers must weigh less than 50 lbs. when filled.

Yard waste includes:

• Grass and leaves
• Bundled branches (max 4 feet long, 4 inches in diameter) and logs (max 4 feet long, 24 inches in diameter, and 50 lbs.)

More information about Yard Waste

Special Pickups

Tires, appliances, & other items 98% metal must be scheduled for special pickup.

Schedule a special pickup:

• Complete our online form; or
• Call 301-809-2344, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Special pickups are picked up on Wednesdays each week .

Special pickups are required for metal items, appliances, and tires. All items shall be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. 

Please complete an online service request or call 301-809-2344 to schedule a pick up for your items that are at least 98% metal, for large appliances, or for tires (up to 4 tires may be collected from a residence each year).

• Metal items should be at least 98% metal
• Items such as lawn mowers must be drained of all fluids (oil and gas)
• Appliances (ensure refrigerator doors are removed or tied shut for safety prior to leaving on curb)
• Call by Tuesday at noon to schedule a Special Pickup on Wednesday.

Unacceptable Items for Any Bowie Collections

The City of Bowie is not able to collect several items due to various material handling regulations. Unacceptable items include:

• Construction debris (lumber, windows, doors, roofing, concrete)
• Automotive parts
• Hazardous materials
• Liquids
• Mulch, rocks, sod, stumps or dirt

Learn more about properly disposing of these materials.