Request a Special Collection

About Request a Special Collection

Bulk waste, metal, electronics, and large branches are collected by scheduled appointment only. Review the list of accepted and non-accepted items below, then complete the Special Collection Request Form to request an appointment.

For regular recyclable items that do not fit inside your recycling cart — such as large cardboard boxes, plastic storage bins, trash cans, or lawn furniture — place them next to your recycling cart with a clearly labeled note: “For Recycling.” These will be picked up during your regular weekly curbside recycling collection.

Tips for Special Collections

  • Place items at the front public curb by 6 a.m. in an unobstructed area, away from parked cars, trees, fire hydrants, and overhead wires. Do not place items in alleyways or on your lawn.
  • Group similar materials together and keep different types separated.
  • Wrap and tape all glass to ensure safe collection.
  • Each Rockville household is limited to six bulk waste collections per calendar year. Collections for metal, electronics, and large branches are unlimited.
  • Items can also be taken directly to the Montgomery County Transfer Station as an alternative.

Bulk Waste Collection

Rockville provides bulk waste collection by scheduled appointment only. Bulk waste is for large items that do not fit in carts and weigh less than 500 pounds and measure under 60 cubic feet. An automated claw truck is used to collect all bulk waste items.

  • Basketball hoops, but they must be disassembled and emptied of sand, cement, or water. Request both a bulk waste and metal collection.
  • Electric lawn mowers. Request a metal collection for gas lawn mowers.
  • Glass dishes, but they must be wrapped or taped to prevent breakage.
  • Large wooden furniture, such as couches and desks.
  • Lumber, but it must be cut in bundles with a max size of 4 feet long and 36 inches in diameter. There is a limit of five bundles per collection appointment.
  • Mattresses and box springs.
  • Nonmetal window frames, but glass must be removed or covered with cardboard and tape.
  • Office chairs.
  • Outdoor umbrellas.
  • Pianos.
  • Rugs and carpet.
  • Toilets.
  • Trampolines, but they must be disassembled. Request both a bulk waste and metal collection.
  • Tube-style (CRT) televisions. Request an electronics collection for flatscreen televisions.
  • Wooden fencing and landscape ties.

Metal Collection

Rockville provides metal recycling collection by scheduled appointment only. An automated claw truck is used to collect all metal items.

  • Air conditioners.
  • Aluminum siding, pots, and pans.
  • Automobile tire rims, hoods, fenders, and doors.
  • Basketball hoops, but they must be disassembled and emptied of sand, cement, or water. Request both a bulk waste and metal collection.
  • Bicycles, treadmills, and other exercise equipment.
  • Chain link and wire fencing, but it must be separated into sections no longer than 8 feet.
  • Floor lamps.
  • Gas lawn mowers, but they must be drained of oil and gas. Request a bulk waste collection for electric lawn mowers.
  • Grills, but propane tanks are not accepted.
  • Metal doors, but glass should be removed and placed in your trash cart.
  • Metal furniture.
  • Refrigerators and freezers, but doors must be removed before collection.
  • Scrap metal.
  • Sheds, but they must be dismantled.
  • Stoves, microwaves, and toaster ovens, but doors must be secured.
  • Swing sets, but they must be dismantled and the concrete footings removed.
  • Trampolines, but they must be disassembled. Request both a bulk waste and metal collection.
  • Washers and dryers, but doors must be secured.
  • Water heaters.

Electronics Collection

When buying new electronics, check whether the store recycles old electronics. If not, Rockville provides electronics recycling collection by scheduled appointment.

  • Cell phones.
  • Computers and computer-related items.
  • Flatscreen televisions. Request a bulk waste collection for tube-style (CRT) televisions.
  • Holiday string lights.
  • Portable chargers.
  • Printers and printer drums.
  • VCR, DVR, DVD, and Blu-ray players and discs. There is a limit of three per collection appointment.
  • Video cameras.

Large Branch Collection

Rockville provides weekly curbside yard waste collection, but large piles of branches require a scheduled appointment for pickup by an automated claw truck. Large, storm related tree debris will be collected, but it may take several weeks for crews to collect throughout the city. Whole trees, logs, and other large debris resulting from tree removals are not accepted by the city.

Special Collection Request Form

Scheduled collections are only available to Rockville residents who are provided recycling and trash service by the City of Rockville. Before making a request, check your address on the Find Your Recycle and Refuse Pickup Day map to determine if the city provides service at your address. 

Name(Required)
Address
Confirmation of Service(Required)
Type of Collection (select all that apply)(Required)