County, City Nix Plastic Bags for Yard Waste Collection

As of Jan. 1, plastic bags can no longer be used for yard waste disposal in the City of Bowie, or anywhere in Prince George's, as part of the county's efforts to remove plastic from its yard waste composting facilities. 

Since the City of Bowie brings its yard waste to the county facility, residents with city recycling collection will be impacted by this change, as well as those living outside of city limits. 

Yard waste that is left on the curb in plastic bags will have to be re-bagged by residents into paper bags, or placed loose in trash cans. Brown paper grocery bags can be used for smaller amounts of waste, or larger paper bags intended for yard waste can be purchased from Target, or area home improvement stores, like Home Depot or Lowe's.

From the City of Bowie: 

Due to a change in the rules at the County Yard Waste Recycling Facility where Bowie brings its yard waste, the City of Bowie is no longer able to pick up yard waste in plastic bags. Grass, leaves, and small branches can go out in cans or in paper bags. No can should weigh more than 50 lbs. Branches less than 3 inches in diameter and no longer than 4 feet can also be bundled and put out on Wednesdays for yard waste pickup. Larger branches (up to 24 inches in diameter and weighing less than 50 lbs.) should be cut down to no more than 18-24 inches in length and left at the curb forWednesday pickup.

Trash can and should still be put in plastic bags, as usual. The city also reminds residents that yard waste cannot be put in with regular trash, nor can it be placed in the blue recycling bins.

Questions can be directed to the Solid Waste Division at 301-809-2344 or emailpublicinfo@cityofbowie.org.