The following information is primarily applicable to occupied, single-family, residential properties. For multi-family, business or other non-residential properties, please email the Berlin Public Works Department or call them at 410-641-4001. Click here for the full Code of the Town of Berlin section on Solid Waste.
The Town of Berlin Sanitation Department collects trash one day per week and recycling one day per week. Regular trash must be placed in the provided container; recycling does not need to be placed in a special container but must be separated by type and easily identifiable. Items should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on the day of collection. It is acceptable to place items out the night before, however, all containers must be removed from the curb by 11:00 PM on the same day as collection.
WHEN ARE COLLECTIONS SCHEDULED?
General refuse (regular household garbage) will be collected once per week and recyclables once per week. Please refer to the Street Index below for more information.
There are also recycling containers located on Old Ocean City Boulevard, next to the entrance to Berlin Falls Park for drop-offs.
For information regarding changes to the trash or recycling schedule due to holidays, or for the Spring and Fall Special Collections, please see our Holiday and Special Collection Schedule below. Any change in schedule will be published in local newspapers, on the Public Access Channel (cable channel 4) and/or in the Berlin Bulletin (sign-up located at the bottom of the page). If you should have any questions regarding the collection routes or the separation of recyclables from general refuse, please email the Public Works Department or call 410-641-4001.
Recycling Guide
Curbside Recycling is to be separated by type and cannot be mixed with regular household trash.
RECYCLING GUIDELINES
In July of 1992, the Town of Berlin implemented a mandatory recycling program. There were many reasons for implementing this program – primarily economic, environmental, and resource conservation.
WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?
- METAL CANS – Aluminum and other metals – drink cans, soup/vegetable, etc. Rinse clean of food or other residues; all cans can be grouped together; paper labels can be left on. DO NOT include aluminum food containers or foil.
- GLASS – bottles and jars only. Rinse, remove lids, rings and metal attachments; paper labels may be left on. It is NOT necessary to separate by color.
- PLASTIC – only plastic containers with the recycling symbol 1 and 2 (no plastic bags). Rinse, remove caps, lids, rings or other attachments. Paper labels may be left on.
- PAPER & CARDBOARD – Paper: newspapers, magazines, office paper, thin non-corrugated cardboard (cereal/snack boxes, etc), books. etc. Corrugated Cardboard: shipping boxes, etc.
- Seperate paper & corrugated cardboard. Keep clean and dry, break down boxes & flatten, tie in bundles or place in bags in stacks of 12 inches or less. DO NOT place loose in container.
Items must be separated by type as described above. Cans and plastic containers may be crushed and flattened to save space. No special containers are required, but need to be sturdy enough to be handled without bursting, and easily identifiable as containing recyclables. DO NOT use metal drums or containers larger than thirty (30) gallons or weighing more than 50 pounds when full. Blue recycle bins can be purchased at Town Hall for $5.00 (limit 2 per customer). Factory-made recycling containers are also available at many area merchants.
Recycling Station
Worcester County Solid Waste Division has several self-serve recycling stations throughout the county, including two near Berlin at a) the transfer station off of Flower Street at 9636 Mill Haven Road; b) at Wal-Mart off of Rt. 50 (24-hours). Visit the County website for more information.
There is also a cardboard recycling station at Heron Park on Old Ocean City Blvd.
Holiday and Special Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule
For your convenience, we are providing the following information for Berlin’s holiday trash and recycling schedule and special collections. Trash and Recycling should be at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day; items placed after 6:00 may not be collected. It is acceptable to put items at the curb the night before collection.
Date | Holiday | |
---|---|---|
Wednesday, January 8 & 15, 2025 | Christmas Tree Collection | Live-Cut Christmas Tree curbside collection - See below for details |
Monday, January 20, 2025 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Tuesday, January 21. No recycling or collection on Monday, January 20. |
Monday, February 17, 2025 | Presidents' Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Tuesday, February 18. No recycling or collection on Monday, February 17. |
Friday, April 18, 2025 | Good Friday | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Thursday, April 17. No recycling or collection on Friday, April 18. |
Wednesday, April 9 & 16, 2025 | Spring Bulk Waste Collections | Spring Bulk Waste Collections – See below for details |
Wednesday, May 7 & 14, 2025 | Spring Yard Waste Collections | Spring Yard Waste Collections – See below for details |
Monday, May 26, 2025 | Memorial Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Tuesday, May 27. No recycling or collection on Monday, May 26. |
Thursday, June 19, 2025 | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Most Town offices closed. Trash collection normally scheduled for Thursday will be collected on Friday, June 20. |
Friday, July 4, 2025 | Independence Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Thursday, July 3rd. No recycling or collection on Friday, July 4. |
Monday, September 1, 2025 | Labor Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Tuesday, September 2. No recycling or collection on Monday, September 1. |
Monday, October 13, 2025 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | Most Town offices closed. Commercial Trash and Recycling will be collected on Tuesday, October 14. No recycling or collection on Monday, October 14. |
Wednesday, November 5 & 12, 2025 | Fall Bulk Waste Collections | Fall Bulk Waste Collections – See below for details |
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | Veterans Day | Most Town offices closed. Trash collection normally scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 will be collected on Wednesday, November 12. |
Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28, 2025 | Thanksgiving | Most Town offices closed. Trash collection, normally scheduled for Thursday, November 27, or Friday, November 28, will be collected on Wednesday, November 26. No recycling collection on Friday, November 28. |
Wednesday, December 3 & 10, 2025 | Fall Yard Waste Collections | Fall Yard Waste Collections – See below for details |
Wednesday, December 24 & Thursday, December 25, 2025 | Christmas Holiday | Normal recycling and commercial trash collection for Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23. There will be NO trash collection on Wednesday, December 24 or December 25. Normal Recycling and Commercial trash collection will resume on Friday, December 26. Trash collection for Wednesday and Thursday customers will be picked up on Friday, December 26. |
Wednesday, December 31 & Thursday, January 1, 2025 | New Year Holiday | Normal recycling and commercial trash collection for Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30. There will be NO trash collection on Wednesday, December 21 or Thursday, January 1. Normal Recycling and Commercial trash collection will resume on Friday, January 2. Trash collection for Wednesday and Thursday customers will be picked up on Friday, January 2. |
Questions: Please contact the Public Works Department at 410-641-4001 or email [email protected]
Special Collection Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: Important policy changes to Special Collections:
Click on Special Collection Policy button below for information on preparing items for Bulk, Yard, and Christmas Tree collections.
You must complete a request for BULK Collection prior to your collection date; forms can be found by clicking the Special Collections Policy button below. Bulk collection request forms will be accepted starting thirty (30) days before collection date and must be submitted by the deadline indicated. No request is needed for Yard Waste or Christmas Tree collections; prepare the items per the policy below and put the items at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Special Collections Policy
If your Normal Trash Day Is: | Special Collection Date Is: |
|
---|---|---|
Curbside Christmas tree collection | Any | Wednesdays, January 8 & 15, 2025 |
Spring 2025 Bulk Waste collection | Tuesdays or Wednesdays | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
Thursdays | Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | |
Spring 2025 Yard Waste collection | Tuesdays or Wednesdays | Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
Thursdays | Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
Fall 2025 Bulk Waste Collection | Tuesdays or Wednesdays | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
Thursdays | Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
Fall 2025 Yard Waste Collection | Tuesdays or Wednesdays | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
Thursdays | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
Contact Info
10 William Street | Berlin, MD 21811
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-641-2770
Fax: 410-641-2316
Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed Weekends and Holidays.
After Hours / Emergency Contact:
Please call the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333