Recycling in Gaithersburg, MD

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Trash and Recycling Drop-Off Hours and Events (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • No out-of-county waste is allowed and all residents must provide proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Proof of County Residency (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Montgomery County residents may bring material to the Shady Grove Transfer Station and the Poolesville Beauty Spot; proof of county residency is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
• User Fees - Transfer Station, Trash & Recycling (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Trash loads under 500 pounds are free; loads of 500 pounds and over cost $70.00 per ton. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Recyclable Materials Drop-Off Area is free except as noted and takes metal appliances and other large scrap metal, electronics, mixed paper and cardboard, and other materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Rechargeable batteries (lead acid and other non-alkaline), motor oil, antifreeze, propane tanks and tires are accepted only from residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose mattresses and box springs (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • The Mattress and Box Spring Recycling program is in the Upper Lot of the Shady Grove Transfer Station; driver's licenses are scanned to track how many mattresses each resident and business brings. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Driver's licenses are scanned to track the number of mattresses each resident and business brings. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted items include innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, latex and adjustable-base mattresses and metal and wood bed foundations or box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Metal and wood bed base foundations and box springs are accepted in the mattress recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Crib mattresses, futons, sleeper sofas and unattached mattress toppers or pads are not accepted in the mattress program; wet, bed-bug-infested or soiled mattresses count as contamination. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • From July 1, 2026 commercial mattress loads are refused unless accompanied by a residential manifest verifying same-day collection within Montgomery County. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose bulk trash (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Residents may bring bulk trash to the Shady Grove Transfer Station or the Poolesville Beauty Spot; loads under 500 pounds are free. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulk trash includes non-metal furniture (sofas, bookcases), rugs and carpet, and mattresses and box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Households whose trash service is provided by the County may have five bulk trash collections each calendar year, scheduled in advance. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents with private or municipal trash service should contact their collector or town, or take items to the Transfer Station or Poolesville Beauty Spot. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • At least one side of a bulk item must be less than 4 feet wide; place bulk items next to regular trash by 7 a.m. on collection day. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose electronics (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Residents and businesses may recycle electronics at the Shady Grove Transfer Station; the drop-off in the Recycling Area is open daily. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted electronics include computers and related items, computer monitors (CRT and flat screen), laptops and televisions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Telephones and televisions are on the accepted electronics list. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All collected electronics are recycled. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Single-family and townhome residents with county recycling service may schedule a curbside collection of electronic items when scheduling a scrap metal collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Small electronic items must be placed in a box labeled "Electronics." Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose scrap metal items - large (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Households with county recycling service may have an unlimited number of scheduled curbside scrap metal pickups per year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Request online by 11:59 p.m. the day before collection, or call 311 by 7 p.m. the business day before. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Large household appliances collected as scrap metal include air conditioners, clothes dryers and washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, freezers, microwave ovens, refrigerators and stoves. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Empty refrigerators and freezers and secure the doors shut or remove them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Exercise machines, including treadmills and weight benches, are collected as curbside scrap metal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metal is any large item that is 51% or more metal; curbside items must be larger than a trash bag or can and up to 8 feet long. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Transfer Station scrap metal area takes all curbside scrap metal items plus metal items of any size, at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents of municipalities that provide their own recycling service should check with their city or town, or bring scrap metal to the Transfer Station at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose household hazardous waste (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • The Household Hazardous Waste program is open to Montgomery County residents with home-generated hazardous waste, with proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Paints (oil-based; latex paint is to be disposed of at home per county instructions), paint thinners and solvents are accepted as HHW. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The HHW drop-off is in the Recycling Area of the Transfer Station (Route 355/Frederick Road entrance) and is open during Transfer Station hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose batteries (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Household batteries of all kinds, including alkaline, are accepted at the HHW drop-off at no charge with no quantity limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The HHW station accepts all batteries, including alkaline batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid (vehicle) batteries from residents are accepted at no charge at the HHW drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Single-family households with county recycling service may schedule curbside collection of household batteries along with electronics and scrap metal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tape the ends of each battery with clear non-metallic tape and put loose batteries in a small lidded plastic container. Checked October 26, 2026.
• How to recycle / dispose tires (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
  • Clean tires and inner tubes are accepted only from residents at no charge, up to 5 tires per year, up to 33 inches in diameter, with or without rims. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents may bring up to 5 tires a year, up to 33 inches in diameter, with or without rims. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires from commercial vehicles and non-residential sources are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Goodwill Donation Centers (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of Greater Washington
  • Goodwill Gaithersburg (South Frederick Ave.) store and donation center is at 619 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg MD 20877. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Goodwill Gaithersburg (South Frederick Ave.) store and donation center: Donations Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Goodwill Gaithersburg Donation Express (Kentlands Shopping Center) is at 58 Market St., Gaithersburg MD 20878. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Goodwill Gaithersburg Donation Express (Kentlands Shopping Center): Donations Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bulk Pickup (opens in new tab) · City of Gaithersburg
  • The City provides on-demand bulk collection to single-family homes and townhouses for large items such as heavy electrical appliances and furniture that private trash collectors will not accept. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulk pickup is by appointment only: one collection per address per month on the regular recycling day, up to twelve a year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Allow 2 business days for staff to respond; do not set items out until confirmed and no more than 24 hours before collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Acceptable large household items include furniture, bedsprings, mattresses, rugs, large toys, televisions and computers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Predominantly metal items are collected separately as scrap metal, including metal washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves and freezers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metal collection takes metal washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, sinks, stoves and freezers, plus bikes and iron furniture. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Remove or secure any doors so they cannot be opened. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Motor vehicle parts including tires are not collected. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Paint and paint cans are not collected; paint can go to the Montgomery County Transfer Station. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No paint or paint cans, latex or oil-based. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items must be labeled "Bulk Pickup" and placed at the street curb by 7 a.m.; items in plastic bags are not collected. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Electronics Recycling (eCycling) in Maryland (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • A manufacturer can qualify for a reduced renewal fee by offering Maryland customers free take-back of its end-of-life covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • An MDE-approved take-back program must be free, including a way to return the device at no cost to the returner. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Approved take-back programs must include instructions on destroying and sanitizing data on the device. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MDE encourages Maryland customers to use manufacturer take-back programs when disposing of end-of-life covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Details of each take-back program are available from the maker's toll-free number or web page. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Some Maryland counties also recycle end-of-life electronics for their residents; MDE says to contact your county for details. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MDE tells residents to contact their county for details on its electronics program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Unless noted otherwise, the permanent county and city electronics drop-off sites listed by MDE are open only to residents of that county or city. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Registered electronics manufacturers (eManufacturers registered to sell in Maryland) (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • MDE's registered-manufacturer list links to companies with Department-approved take-back programs that will recycle their brands for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1701: Definitions (Statewide Recycling; covered electronic devices, architectural paint, white goods) (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
  • A take-back program provides a no-cost way to return the device, such as postage-paid mailers or designated collection points around the state. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A manufacturer's take-back program covers devices labeled with that manufacturer's name or brand. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered electronic devices are computers and video display devices with a screen larger than 4 inches diagonally. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A "computer" is a desktop or laptop computer, including the computer monitor. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer peripherals such as mice, printers and detachable keyboards are not covered. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Personal digital assistants are not counted as computers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Screens built into motor vehicles, household appliances, or commercial, industrial or medical equipment are not covered. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A video display device is any screen device that shows moving images, whether CRT, LCD, plasma, DLP or another technology; read here as including televisions. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
• PaintCare: Maryland paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • The sites are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no charge to drop off paint at a PaintCare site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare sites take house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare offers free pickup for 100+ gallons of unwanted paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1733: Paint Stewardship Program (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
  • By law, a paint collection site in the program plan may not charge an extra fee to take paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • PaintCare sites do not take aerosol coatings, solvents, or industrial and non-architectural products. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Products must be in original containers of 5 gallons or less, with the maker's label and a secured lid; open or leaking cans are refused. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): State Recycling Laws (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Under Maryland's Rechargeable Battery Management Law, marketers must run a management program for used Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries; The Battery Network runs its program throughout the state. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): FAQs (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Every Battery Network drop-off site takes end-of-life rechargeable batteries; only some take single-use (primary) batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no national stewardship program for free single-use battery recycling outside Vermont, Illinois and Washington, D.C., so local HHW and municipal programs may charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Use The Battery Network's locator; many major retailers participate, including Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Battery Network does not take car batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Protect terminals by bagging each battery or taping the terminals. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; some take specialty batteries. Check the site's details before you go. Checked October 26, 2026.
• MDE: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Many Maryland county HHW programs collect batteries, among other materials. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.