Greenbelt City Logo

Greenbelt, Save As You Throw
A new program to save money on your trash bill.

If you create less trash, you should pay less.

Flex by WZ makes that possible.

Household costs are rising, and so is your trash bill. Most cities charge the same whether you toss one bag or five. Households deserve better. FLEX can help.

FLEX by WZ replaces one-size-fits-all waste fees with a flexible, pay-as-you-go system that rewards households for creating less trash.

Greenbelt City Logo
woman recycling into 3 separate bins

How FLEX by WZ Works

Four simple steps to start saving money and helping the environment.

  • Purchase Your Bags
    Use specialized FLEX Landfill Bags available from your local Greenbelt retailers.

  • Sort Your Waste
    Separate recyclables and food scraps into appropriate containers and then put remaining trash in Purple greenbelt bags. It’s easier than you think!

  • Use What You Need
    Only use bags for what you actually throw away. Less waste means more savings for you.

Why Greenbelt Residents Love Save As You Throw by FLEX by WZ.

Save Money

Save Money

Only pay for what you throw away. Average households will save versus a fixed fee for all.

Help the Planet

Reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions, and keep Greenbelt green. Every bag matters.

It’s Easy

Easy as a snap!

Official City landfill bags are conveniently available where you already shop. Just fill them up and put them out as usual, and you’ve paid your fee!

Community Impact

Community

Join hundreds of your Greenbelt neighbors making our city cleaner and more sustainable.

You’re in Control

Thinking

You decide how much you spend based on your habits. No more one-size-fits-all fees.

Flexible

Rubber bands Illustration

Try it! You can always switch to the Max Trash option later if needed.

Where to Purchase Bags

Hey Greenbelt! Ready to save with Flex Save-As-You-Throw Bags. Save money and save the planet!

Official City landfill bags will be available for purchase at Greenbelt Co-Op Supermarket and
CVS #452, 7607 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770 | 301-441-8810.

Coming soon to these local stores:
Giant, Safeway, Center Way Mini Mart, & Beltway Plaza Hardware

Kids cleaning field and putting bottles in recycling bin

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Flex by WZ.

  • 1. What is this new program?
    • This program provides a different way to pay for your city-provided trash, recycling collection and disposal.
    • This program is used in other US cities and other locations worldwide. It’s simple, it works like your electricity bill, you only pay for what you throw away, putting money back in your pocket. Why pay more when you throw away less?

  • 2. Who will this new program impact?
    This program will target Greenbelt households whose weekly trash is picked up by the City of Greenbelt

  • 3. When will the new program launch?
    The new payment system will begin on January 1, 2026.

  • 4. How does it work?

    Traditionally, households have paid the same flat fee regardless of how much trash they throw out. This is not a fair system, since those who generate only a small amount of trash pay the same fee as those who generate lots of trash.​
    All household pay the the same base fee of $240 /year. This covers the service (employees, trucks fuel etc) ​

    ​To cover the cost of disposal you decide:​

    • Pay only for what you throw by using the official purple Greenbelt Landfill bags as you need them. ​
    • or by a MaxTrash option for an additional fee of $140 per year
  • 5. How do I pay?
    • You pay the City directly, or garbage is covered by your HOA fees if you live in GHI, Greenspring 2, or Greenbelt Lake Village. (insert link to website)

  • 6. How much do the landfill bags cost (see photo for size reference)
    • Small bags are 8 gallon and cost $0.80 cents each​
    • Medium bags are 13 gallon and cost $1.25 each ​
    • Large bags are 33 gallon and cost $2.00 each

  • 7. Where do I get my Max Trash Option?
    The Max Trash option covers 6 months of disposal fees for $70 for up to three large bags per week. When choosing the Max Trash sticker you can use what ever brand trash bags that you like. If additional bags are needed (over the three allotted bags each week), please purchase the official purple Greenbelt Landfill bags from local retailers.

  • 8. Why is Greenbelt adopting this program?
    • The goal is to help Greenbelt households save on their trash and recycling collection fees.​
    • Reduce waste going to the landfill and landfill greenhouse gas emissions.​
    • Reduce the deficit the City is incurring to provide trash/recycling collection and disposal service. This program will reduce the city’s waste generation

  • 9. Where will this program take place?
    • Households that have City-provided trash and recycling collection and disposal – at GHI and single-family homes with City-provided service- will be eligible for this program.​
    • Apartments or homes with private providers who pick up their trash will not be eligible for this program.

  • 10. Where do I buy bags?
    Official City landfill bags will be available for purchase at Greenbelt Co-Op Supermarket and CVS.

    Coming soon to these local stores: Giant, Safeway, Center Way Mini Mart, & Beltway Plaza Hardware

Need the Max Trash Option Instead?

The Greenbelt Max Trash Option covers 6 months of landfill disposal fees for up to 3 large bags of trash per week. When choosing the Max Trash Option, you can use whatever bags you like. If additional bags are needed please purchase the purple Greenbelt Landfill bags from local retailers.


Prefer to pay in person? Sign-up and renewal are available at City Offices in Greenbelt, 25 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770.