About
Howard County provides residents with one free food scrap cart (if eligible) for food scrap/yard trim curbside collection services. Trash containers are not provided and must be purchased by the resident.
Containers are assigned to each address and must remain at the home, even if the resident moves. Residents may put their street name and number on the container which will help it stay where it belongs.
Food Scrap Containers
The County provides two food scrap container size options:
- 12 gallon wheeled cart (26.9"H x 15.5"W x 17.7"D)
- 35 gallon wheeled cart (39"H x 20"W x 23"D)
The 12 gallon cart is the best size for most households collecting food scraps only. If you have a larger household, generate more food scraps, and/or plan to add yard trim to your green cart, the larger 35 cart is best. Please remember these carts should primarily be used for food scraps, but yard trim material may be added as a supplement as well.
We also offer a small lidded countertop container to collect your kitchen scraps. Countertop containers are for indoor use only and should NOT be set out for collection. Paper bags and certified compostable bags can also be used for food scraps. No plastic bags will be accepted. Bagged food scraps must be placed in food scrap cart for collection.
We will replace or repair broken or cracked County-issued food scrap containers. Contact us for repairs and replacements.
Need a wheel? Food scrap cart wheels are available at
- Kendall Hardware (12260 Clarksville Pike)
- Clarks ACE Hardware Columbia (8895 McGaw Road)
- Bureau of Environmental Services (9801 Broken Land Parkway)
Residents in our Feed the Green Bin collection area may purchase additional food scrap containers. Containers are for residential food scrap and yard trim collection only. Please return the completed request form and payment to:
Check Payable To: Director of Finance
Mail payment to: Howard County Recycling Division, 9801 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046
Broken cart? Don't buy a new one. Contact us for repairs and replacements.
Backyard Compost Bins
We offer free backyard compost bins to Howard County residents. Feed your garden organically, recycle kitchen scraps and yard trimmings and improve your soil's health! Compost bins can be picked up year round at the Bureau of Environmental Services (9801 Broken Land Parkway), Alpha Ridge Landfill (2350 Marriottsville Rd) or during composting demonstrations held by the Howard County Master Gardeners.
