Spring, is that you? Finally, time to spruce up the garden or something that used to resemble one. At this point in May, it can feel like the weeds are winning! Between mowing, trimming, and trying to keep up with everything growing at warp speed, it doesn’t take long to end up with a mountain of yard debris.

The good news? Managing that green mountain is incredibly easy, and your yard waste can actually come full circle to help your garden thrive. Whether you receive weekly collection or use our convenient subscription service, here is everything you need to know to get your yard debris picked up without a hitch!

Know Your Zone: Weekly vs. Subscription Pickup

 Because service varies depending on where you live in Charles County, the first step is knowing how your neighborhood is serviced:

• Weekly Curbside Collection: In many areas, yard waste is collected weekly on your regular recycling day.
• Subscription Service: In some neighborhoods, curbside yard waste is a subscription-based service. If you are in a subscription zone, simply schedule your pickup one day in advance online or right at your fingertips using the Charles County Recycles app!

 Not sure which service you have? Pop your address into the Charles County Recycles app or check our website to find your schedule in seconds.

 The "Pro-Tips" for a Perfect Pickup

 To keep our collection crews safe and moving efficiently, we need your help avoiding a few common mishaps. Before you set your yard waste at the curb by 7:00 AM, give it a quick check against this easy checklist:

•  The Container Rules: Use paper yard waste bags or durable containers (40 gallons or smaller). If you use a reusable container, mark it with a large "X" facing the street so our drivers know it’s yard waste at a glance!
• Keep it Light: Please ensure all bags, containers, and branch bundles weigh under 50 pounds. If it’s too heavy for you to lift easily, it’s too heavy for our crews!
• Bundle Up: Have loose branches? Secure them into neat bundles using natural twine. Keep bundles under 4 feet in length, and ensure individual branches are no more than 6 inches in diameter.
• What to Skip: Remember to keep plastic bags out of the mix! We also cannot accept loose branches, mulch, dirt, rocks, sod, bamboo, tree stumps, or regular trash.

The Ultimate Local Bonus: Free Mulch!

Did you know that the yard waste collected right from your curb gets processed into free mulch for Charles County residents? It’s the perfect way to protect your flower beds and suppress weeds this spring.

 Head over to the Piney Church Road Mulch Facility (5370 Piney Church Road, Waldorf) to claim yours:

• Self-Serve Weekdays: Stop by Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Just bring your own shovel, containers, and a tarp to load it up yourself.
• Saturday Mulch Loading: Visit on Saturday morning between 7:30 AM and 12:00 PM, and our crew will help load it onto your open truck bed or trailer for you!

 Thank you for helping us close the loop and keep Charles County beautiful, green, and sustainable.

 ------------------------

Stay connected and sign up for our monthly newsletter!

CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DIVISION | 10430 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD • 301-932-5656 (MD Relay 7-1-1)