A smarter, fairer way to manage trash

Here’s the Good News

Most Greenbelt households will save money with this new program. Here’s why: when you separate out your food scraps (which cause the smell), bulk up your trash, and recycle properly, you’re probably creating way less trash than you think. Actually much less. Finally, with the Greenbelt SAYT programs you have control over your trash costs.

The secret? People generally believe they throw away more trash than they do. Your trash only smells because of food scraps so, if you do a food scrap collection program or compost in your yard, you’ll realize you don’t need nearly as much trash capacity as you thought.

Greenbelt Landfill Trash bag in a dumpster
Greenbelt trash truck leaving the facility

How It Works: Two Simple Parts

Part 1: Base Collection Fee — $240/year (Down from the 2026 projected price of $380!)

Everyone pays this lower base fee. It covers the trucks, drivers, and weekly pickup service. You’ll pay this through your HOA, Co-Op, or directly to the city—same as always.

Part 2: Landfill Fee

Starting 2026, Greenbelt residents will need to purchase City Official Landfill bags.

SAYT City of Greenbelt Landfill Bags.

  • Buy purple “City of Greenbelt Landfill Bags” as you need them

  • Only pay for what you actually throw out

  • Three sizes to match your needs:

    • One Small bag per week ($0.80 x 52) = $41.60 per year​
    • One Medium bag per week ($1.25 x 52 weeks) = $65 per year​
    • One Large bag per week ($2.00 x 52weeks) = $104 per year​

Don’t want Max Savings? Then purchase the MaxTrash Sticker.

Alternative: MaxTrash Sticker

  • Pay $70 for 6 months ($140/year)

  • Toss up to 3 large bags per week in any brand bag

  • Total annual cost: $240 base + $140 = $380/year

Purple Greenbelt Landfill bag out for pick up in front of house

The Math That Makes This Work

When you separate your food scraps and recycle properly, most households discover they’re only creating 1-2 small bags of actual trash per week.

Should I go with the Landfill Bags or the Max Trash Sticker?

If you fall in the shaded area then you might need the Max Trash sticker everyone else should choose the landfill bags and try to save as much as you can.
Remember 75% of what is in your trash should be recycled or reused through donation. Tips: Take out your food and compost it at home, sign up for compost collection or drop off at compost sites. Remember with the landfill bags there is no need to purchase regular waste bags – which will also save you money.

Happy African American woman holding up a small landfill bag
Happy Asian woman holding up a medium-sized landfill bag
Happy Caucasian woman holding up a large landfill bag
3 large plastic black trash bags
8-Gallon Small (Small)
80¢ each		 13-Gallon (Medium)
$1.25 each		 33-Gallon (Large)
$2.00		 Max Trash Sticker
(limit 3 large bags of your choice/week)*
ANNUAL EXPENSE
1 Bag/week $42 $65 $104 $140
2 Bags/week $83 $130 $208 $140
3 Bags/week $125 $195 $312 $140

“But won’t my trash smell if I don’t take it out every day?”

Nope! Food scraps cause the smell—not other trash. Greenbelt has made it incredibly easy to divert food waste:

Free 24/7 Drop-Off Sites Multiple locations around Greenbelt—drop off anytime

Community Composting Free hot composting station at Springhill Lake Recreation Center

➜ Once you remove food scraps, your regular trash can sit for a week (or longer) without any odor issues.

Dumping food scraps into compost bin

Why Greenbelt Is Making This Change

Across the country, landfill costs are skyrocketing as existing landfills fill up and new ones fail to open. Instead of simply raising everyone’s fees, Greenbelt chose a fairer approach that:

✓ Lowers your base fee from a projected increase of $380 to $240
✓ Gives you control over your costs
✓ Rewards waste reduction instead of penalizing everyone equally
✓ Protects you from future price increases if you keep reducing waste

How This Helps Our Environment

Less Landfill Pollution

  • Reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills
  • Decreases need for new landfills (which harm land and water)
  • Preserves open space in our community

Resource Conservation

  • More recycling means less need to extract new raw materials
  • Saves energy and natural resources
  • Creates local jobs in recycling and composting industries

Cleaner Community

  • Lower air, water, and soil contamination
  • Reduced long-term environmental and health risks
  • Sets an example for sustainable living

The best part? You save money AND help the environment at the same time.

Beautiful natural lake with tree at sunset

Questions? We are here to help!

Visit the official city page for more details:
greenbeltmd.gov/sayt
Email: publicworks@greenbeltmd.gov

Phone: (301) 474-8004

For questions about MyFlex or business inquiries:
Call (800) 866-3954 or email info@wastezero.com

Greenbelt City Logo

  • ✓ GHI

  • ✓ Lakewood

  • ✓ Lakeside

  • ✓ Woodland Hills

  • ✓ Greenspring I & II

  • ✓ Greenbelt Lake Village

  • ✓ Boxwood

Quick wins…

  • Landfill bags will be available for purchase at local stores soon. 

  • You can use small waste bags and place them inside of one large 33-gallon official Greenbelt landfill bag in your outdoor trash can if you prefer.

  • Your recycling pickup stays the same and continues as normal and is included in your $240 base fee.

  • If you have a big clean up here and there, simply buy extra bags for that week, or consider the MaxTrash sticker if you consistently generate more waste.

  • If you are not sure what bag to start with, we suggest small or medium bags. Most households are surprised to find they need less capacity than expected once food scraps are removed.

  • If you are going away, you won’t use any bags while you’re away, so you won’t pay anything extra that week.

Need the Max Trash Sticker Instead?

The Max Trash sticker is available for households that prefer convenience over savings for a flat fee of $70 per 6 months or$140 per year. The Max Trash sticker covers landfill fees for up to 3 large bags of trash per week.​

Please note: Most Greenbelt families will save money by using Landfill bags