What day is yard waste collected in Howard County?

Yard waste is collected weekly. Check the Howard County website for your specific collection day.

Can I put yard waste in plastic bags?

No, yard waste must be in paper bags, a reusable container marked 'Yard Waste', or bundled. Plastic bags contaminate the composting process and are not accepted.

What size branches can go curbside?

Branches must be bundled, no longer than 4 feet, no thicker than 6 inches in diameter, and bundles should weigh no more than 50 lbs.

Does Howard County pick up tree stumps?

No, tree stumps are not accepted for curbside collection. Small stumps can be taken to Alpha Ridge Landfill. Large stumps require professional tree service removal.

Can I get free mulch or compost from Howard County?

Yes! Alpha Ridge Landfill offers free mulch and compost to Howard County residents. Bring your own containers and shovels. It's first come, first served.

How to Dispose of Yard Waste in Howard County

The short answer: Howard County offers free curbside yard waste collection. Use paper bags or a marked container, bundle branches, and place at the curb on your collection day. For large quantities, drop off at Alpha Ridge Landfill for free.

🌿 Quick Reference

Curbside: Weekly pickup, use paper bags or marked container
Branches: Max 4 feet long, 6" diameter, 50 lb bundles
No Plastic Bags: They contaminate composting
Large Quantities: Alpha Ridge Landfill (free)
Free Mulch: Pick up at Alpha Ridge (bring containers)

Bags of leaves, grass clippings, and bundled branches for yard waste collection

All Yard Waste Gets Composted!

Howard County turns all collected yard waste into mulch and compost at Alpha Ridge. You can pick up free mulch and compost there—it's a great closed-loop system that keeps organic material out of landfills and returns nutrients to local gardens.

What Counts as Yard Waste?

Leaves

Autumn leaves, tree droppings

✓ Accepted

Grass Clippings

Lawn mowing debris

✓ Accepted

Small Branches

Trimming, pruning debris

✓ Bundle first

Garden Waste

Dead plants, weeds, trimmings

✓ Accepted

Tree Stumps

Root balls, large rounds

⚠️ Alpha Ridge only

Dirt & Rocks

Soil, gravel, landscaping stone

✗ Not accepted

Curbside Collection Rules

✓ Accepted Curbside

Leaves (in paper bags)
Grass clippings
Garden plants and weeds
Brush and small branches
Hedge trimmings
Dead flowers and plants
Pine needles
Tree seedpods and twigs

✗ NOT Accepted Curbside

Plastic bags (any kind)
Dirt, soil, or sod
Rocks and gravel
Tree stumps
Treated/painted lumber
Food scraps
Animal waste
Invasive plants (bag separately)

Never Use Plastic Bags!

This is the #1 mistake people make. Plastic bags contaminate the entire composting process and your yard waste may be rejected. Use paper bags (available at any hardware store) or a reusable container clearly marked "YARD WASTE."

How to Prepare Yard Waste

Choose the right container — Paper yard waste bags (sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.), a trash can labeled "YARD WASTE", or loose piles for leaves.
Bundle branches properly — Tie branches together with string or twine. Each bundle: max 4 feet long, 6 inches diameter, 50 lbs max weight.
Remove non-organic materials — Take out any plastic plant ties, pots, wire, stakes, or other non-compostable items.
Set out by 6 AM — Place at curb on your yard waste collection day. Don't block sidewalks.

Save Money on Bags

Instead of paper bags, use an old trash can dedicated to yard waste. Mark it clearly with "YARD WASTE" in permanent marker or spray paint. You can reuse it every week!

Disposal Options

Option 1: Curbside Collection

Free weekly pickup for all Howard County residents. The most convenient option for regular yard maintenance.

Container options:

Paper yard waste bags (available at hardware stores)
Reusable container clearly marked "YARD WASTE"
Bundled branches tied with string

Branch limits: Max 4 feet long, 6 inches diameter, 50 lb bundles

Collection day: Weekly — check your schedule

No limit: Put out as much as you need (within reason)

Option 2: Alpha Ridge Landfill

Best for large quantities from storm cleanup, major landscaping, or tree work. Free for Howard County residents.

Cost: Free for Howard County residents with ID

Address: 2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104

Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-4pm (closed Sundays & holidays)

Accepts: All yard waste including stumps, logs, and large brush piles

Bonus: Pick up free mulch and compost while you're there!

Option 3: Home Composting

Turn yard waste into free fertilizer for your garden. Howard County offers subsidized compost bins!

Great for: Leaves, grass clippings, small plant debris

Subsidized bins: Howard County sells discounted compost bins periodically

Tip: Layer "browns" (leaves, cardboard) with "greens" (grass, food scraps)

Benefits: Reduces waste, creates free fertilizer, good for environment

Free Mulch & Compost!

Alpha Ridge Landfill offers free mulch and compost to Howard County residents—made from the yard waste you bring! Bring your own containers, shovels, and tarps. First come, first served. It's great for gardens, landscaping, and flower beds.

Drop-Off Locations

Alpha Ridge Landfill

The primary drop-off for all yard waste. Drive to the composting area and unload. Staff will direct you.

📍 2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104 | Mon-Sat 8am-4pm

Leaves Grass Branches Stumps Brush Logs

Seasonal Tips

Winter

Storm debris collection may be delayed. Piles are okay if bagged yard waste freezes. Remove ice and snow from bins before setting out.

Spring

Heavy cleanup season—consider Alpha Ridge for large quantities. Great time to pick up free mulch for garden beds.

Summer

Grass clippings increase. Consider "grasscycling"—leaving clippings on lawn to decompose and feed your grass naturally.

Fall

Peak leaf season. Stock up on paper bags early—they sell out! Consider mulching leaves with your mower instead of raking.

Grasscycling Tip

Leave grass clippings on your lawn instead of bagging them! They decompose quickly and return nutrients to the soil—like free fertilizer. This can reduce the need for lawn fertilizer by 25% and eliminates the work of bagging.

Special Situations

Storm Debris

After major storms, Howard County often provides enhanced collection:

Extra pickups: County may add collection days after severe storms
Larger piles accepted: Size limits may be relaxed temporarily
Check county website: Updates posted after storm events
Alpha Ridge: Always available for large storm cleanup loads

Tree Removal

If you've had a tree removed, here's how to handle the debris:

Most tree services include debris removal in their price
Logs/rounds: Can go to Alpha Ridge (or use as firewood if hardwood)
Stumps: Must go to Alpha Ridge—not accepted curbside
Large root balls: Take to Alpha Ridge

Diseased or Invasive Plants

Special handling required for some materials:

Poison ivy/oak: Bag separately, label clearly, goes with regular yard waste
Japanese knotweed: Bag tightly—very invasive, don't let pieces scatter
Diseased tree branches: Generally okay for composting, heat kills pathogens
When in doubt: Contact Howard County for guidance

Sod & Dirt Warning

Sod with soil attached is NOT accepted curbside or at Alpha Ridge. Shake off excess soil before disposing, or find a landscaping company that accepts clean fill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy paper yard waste bags?

Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Walmart, and most grocery stores sell paper yard waste bags. They're usually near the trash bags or in the seasonal section. Stock up in early fall—they sell out quickly during leaf season!

Can I put tree stumps at the curb?

No, tree stumps are not accepted for curbside collection. Take them to Alpha Ridge Landfill where they're processed separately. For large stumps, you may need a tree service to grind them.

What about sod and dirt?

Soil and sod are not accepted as yard waste. They're too heavy for composting equipment and contain too much dirt. Small amounts of soil that naturally clings to pulled weeds is fine.

My yard waste pickup was missed—what do I do?

Report missed collections to Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services. Call 410-313-6444 or use the county's online service request form. Keep your waste at the curb until they can pick it up.

Can I use compostable bags instead of paper?

Check with Howard County, but generally paper bags are preferred. Some "compostable" plastic bags don't break down properly in the county's composting process. When in doubt, use paper.

Is there a limit to how much yard waste I can put out?

There's no official limit for curbside, but extremely large piles may require multiple trips by the truck. For major cleanups, consider taking loads to Alpha Ridge to speed things up.

Can I burn yard waste in Howard County?

Open burning is heavily restricted in Howard County. Most residential areas prohibit burning leaves and brush. Check county regulations before burning anything—fines can be significant.

What if my branch is longer than 4 feet?

Cut longer branches into 4-foot sections before bundling. If cutting isn't practical (large logs), take them to Alpha Ridge Landfill instead.

Major Yard Cleanup or Storm Damage?

If you've got a massive pile of branches, storm debris, or yard junk that's too much to handle, we can haul it all away same-day. We'll get your yard back in shape fast.

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