Solid Waste

garbage Garbage Collection Garbage is collected weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (pickup schedule map) in containers provided by the City.  For an additional fee, residents may obtain a second garbage container.  Containers must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Do not place construction materials, large metal objects, etc. in containers.  All garbage containers must include the numerical portion of the customer’s street address in a minimum of 3-inch white lettering on the lid, i.e. if the address is 1400 Boston Avenue, the number “1400” would be placed on the lid of the container.  Garbage containers must have a minimum of four (4) feet spacing from other containers or obstructions in order to allow adequate clearance for mechanical dumping equipment.  Garbage is hauled to the LANDFILL.
trash collection Trash Collection The City will pick up four (4) cubic yards of trash during each collection cycle. Trash and yard waste are collected the weeks of the 1st  and 3rd Monday of each month for residents living south of Nederland Avenue and the weeks of the 2nd  and 4th Monday of each month for resident living north of Nederland Avenue (TRASH SCHEDULE MAP). All trash must be placed at the street by 7:00 a.m. on Monday.  Each of the following items must be placed in SEPARATE piles in front of the address generating the trash:
  • Tree limbs - stacked neatly and no longer than 6 feet in length
  • Building materials and demolition debris***
  • White goods (appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, etc.)
  • Leaves, grass clippings, small twigs, etc. must be in trash bags; Bagged leaves or grass clippings may be placed in your garbage container or placed with other trash.
Do not place trash under or near electric, telephone, or cable television wires. This presents a dangerous situation for City employees and the trash will not be collected until it has been moved to a safer location.  Also, DO NOT place trash in drainage ditches.  A red tag will be placed on trash piles which are not properly set out and this debris will NOT be collected until properly placed and/or separated. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in a two week delay in removal.
Green Waste and Trash
  • All limbs, shrubs, and branches must be piled separately from other trash. Piles that include limbs mixed with other trash will not be collected.
  • All limbs, shrubs, branches, etc. and/or trash must be cut into lengths of no longer than six (6) foot.
  • All limbs, shrubs, branches, etc. and/or trash must be neatly stacked.
  • All loose trash (leaves, general debris, etc.) must be placed into bags or boxes.
  • Free dumping at the Landfill is not permitted. Any person who takes trash to the landfill will be assessed a fee based upon the standard rates charged by the landfill.
Trimming or Cutting Down Trees If you trim or cut down a tree, the City will pick up the limbs if stacked and placed near the street within the four (4) cubic yard limit. However, if a contractor is hired to trim or cut down a tree, the contractor will be responsible for disposal. City ordinances require that all tree trimmers be bonded with the City.  Additionally, tree trimmers are required to obtain a permit prior to cutting or removing a tree; there is no fee for this permit.
Building Materials and DemolitionIf you demolish a building, the City will make a one-time pick up of four (4) cubic yards. If a contractor is hired to demolish your structure, the contractor will be responsible for disposal of all material. This policy also applies to the remodeling of a building. If a building has been burned, only furniture will be picked up by the City; the City will not collect burned debris.  Contractors/building owners shall be responsible for the transporting and disposal of all new construction debris.
Hypodermic Needles
Points must be removed with a device that breaks and stores the needle and the syringe must be capped. These items must then be placed in a plastic container (such as a milk container) which can be included with regular garbage.
Paint or Paint CansDry cans without lids may be placed in your regular garbage; cans with only a small amount of paint should have cat litter added in order to dry the paint.
Rental Property
For rental residential property with garbage/trash service with the CITY, the owner of the property must contact the CITY to coordinate the placement of any trash upon the eviction of a tenant or any change in the rental status.  The CITY will provide service as soon as possible but the amount of trash shall not exceed four cubic yards; the CITY shall charge the actual cost equivalent to the actual costs of personnel, equipment, and disposal fees but no less than $25.00 for any pile greater than prescribed.  Water and sewer service shall not be re-instated until all penalties have been paid.  Rental residential property owners who fail to follow this requirement repeatedly may have all services terminated.  Appeals of this decision shall be made to the City Manager.
Items Not Picked Up by the City:
  • Oil and oil filters - may be taken to participating automotive repair stores for disposal if from individuals and in a reasonable quantity
  • Tires - may be taken to participating tire stores (it is suggested that you contact the store before taking any tires)
  • Broken concrete or concrete products - contact the City Sanitation Department at 723-1541 for disposal instructions
  • Scrap iron - contact the City Sanitation Department at 723-1541 for disposal instructions
  • Cans containing large amounts of paint
  • Drums larger than five gallons - citizens must make their own arrangements for disposal
  • Automotive batteries - may be taken to participating stores which sell batteries (it is suggested that you contact the store before taking any batteries)
  • Hazardous waste - contact the City Sanitation Department at 723-1541 for disposal instructions