Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today announced a new online service for residents who want to request and schedule pickups of bulk trash and scrap metal. By logging on to www.mc311.com individuals can create a service request 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Since our MC311 call center opened last year, calls requesting bulk trash and scrap metal pickup have consistently topped the list, with more than 39,000 calls requesting these services since January of this year,” said Leggett. “This new 24/7 online service will give residents an opportunity to create and submit a service request any day of the week, day or night.”

The “soft launch” for the new online software began on October 15 and provided MC311 and the Division of Solid Waste Services of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the opportunity to adequately test the new online service before the public launch. Over a three-week period, the program experienced no problems and the website has received more than 300 service requests for bulk trash and scrap metal pickups.

“With MC311, residents don't need to be powerful or connected to get the right person on the phone,” said County Council member Hans Riemer. “It's great to see the County Executive expand this service, providing residents with a convenient, fast way to schedule bulk trash and scrap metal pickups, day or night.”

The MC311 Customer Service Center, which launched in June 2010, handles a wide range of calls and questions, from the most popular – Ride On bus related calls and bulk trash pickups – to more obscure topics.

Residential properties receiving County-provided trash services are entitled to five bulk collections per calendar year for certain types of miscellaneous and/or bulky household trash. Bulk collections must be scheduled in advance with the County by the owner or resident of the property. Among the items included in bulk trash are furniture, rugs, box springs, mattresses, non-metal trash cans and sinks, large toys, and bath tubs, laundry trays, shower stalls and toilet bowls. Residents outside of the solid waste district who have private trash service must contact their collection company or homeowner/community association for bulk trash removal.

Residents requesting a bulk trash or scrap metal collection should schedule a pickup before 11 a.m., one business day prior to their regular recycling collection day.

Scrap metal is any item made of 51 percent or more metal. As with bulk trash, items must be on the curb for pickup no later than 7 a.m. on the resident’s regular recycling day. Scrap metal pickup is available to residents throughout the entire County, while bulk waste pickups are only available in areas receiving County trash collection services. Items may be up to eight feet long and include large household appliances, bicycles, cabinets, doors, fencing, grills, iron furniture and railings, lawnmowers (with gasoline and oil removed), metal sheds, shower stalls, aluminum lawn chairs and swing sets.

For both bulk trash and scrap metal, pickups may be scheduled online at www.mc311.com or by calling 311.

“The Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to providing timely and efficient customer service, and this latest on-line addition to the 311 system just adds to the convenience for residents to request scrap metal recycling and bulk pickup curbside services,” said DEP Director Bob Hoyt. “We also hope it will boost scrap metal recycling and discourage illegal dumping of bulky items that the County is happy to pick up.”

An Independent Customer Survey completed in 2008 indicated that, overall, residents are highly satisfied with the recycling and refuse collection services provided by the County. However, while 69 percent were aware of the bulk trash collections, only 39 percent knew the County provides scrap metal collection. The new MC311 online system will make it easier and more convenient for residents to schedule both bulk trash and scrap metal pickups.

The Department of Environmental Protection also provides a page on its website that offers residents options for disposing of items that may be reusable. For more information on donating usable items, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/useitagain.

For more information about bulk trash/scrap metal pickups, call 311 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bulktrash or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/scrapmetal.