Waste Management
Recycling Guide
Only the materials listed above are accepted in your WM recycle cart. Please make sure containers are empty, rinsed, and free of food or liquid before recycling. Flatten boxes to save space, and keep recyclables loose — never bagged. By following these steps, you’ll help keep the recycling stream clean and ensure that more materials can be reused to create new products.
Plastic Bottles & Containers
Empty, rinse. Caps on are OK.
Food & Beverage Cans
Aluminum and steel/tin cans, empty & rinsed.
Paper
Office paper, newspapers, magazines (clean & dry).
Flattened Cardboard & Paperboard
Break down boxes. Remove packing materials.
Glass Bottles & Containers
Empty, rinse. Labels can stay on.
For a complete, up-to-date list of accepted items and what not to recycle, visit WM.com.
Trash & Recycle Schedule
Pickup day: Monday (excluding WM holidays)
Trash Day
Set your household trash at the curb in your WM cart by 6 a.m. on collection day. Please bag all waste securely and keep lids closed to prevent litter and pests.
Recycle Day
Place only accepted recyclables — plastic, paper, glass, and metal — loose in your WM cart. Rinse containers and flatten boxes to help keep the recycling stream clean.
When a WM holiday falls on a Monday, service is delayed by one day.
Waste Management Sanitation Services
The City Sanitation Services are provided by Waste Management (WM). The City has contracted with Waste Management to provide the following services:
- Curbside trash pickup — weekly on Mondays.
- Yard waste pickup — weekly on Mondays.
- Recycling pickup — every two week (see schedule above).
- One large junk item per week placed at the curb — call Waste Management to schedule a pickup.
Waste & Recycling Containers
Please follow these guidelines for proper use of your Waste Management carts and containers. This ensures safe, efficient collection and keeps our community clean.
Recycling (Yellow Lid)
Use the LARGE ROLLING RECYCLE CART (yellow lid, 10-digit number) for recyclable materials only. Do not place trash or yard waste in this cart. Do not give away, sell, or destroy your cart—contact Waste Management at 502-966-0117 if you no longer want it.
Trash (Green Lid)
Place household trash in the LARGE ROLLING TRASH CART with the green lid. All waste must be bagged securely before being placed inside. Do not throw loose trash directly into the cart.
Yard Waste
Yard waste should be placed in open containers or paper bags. Waste Management will not pick up yard waste in plastic bags. Limbs and branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet and set out the night before collection. Unbundled items will not be collected.
Large Items
The City contract allows one (1) large item per week to be placed at the curb. Call Waste Management to schedule pickup. Mattresses and upholstered items must be wrapped in plastic for collection.
Additional information about Recycling and Hazardous Waste Disposal Services can be found by click on the link Metro Louisville Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can set up or change services easily through your My WM account or website without needing a contract
Generally, the cart accepts plastics, paper, glass, and metal—avoid bagging recyclables and always remove food residue first
Set your carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day and retrieve them by the evening after collection
When a holiday falls on your usual pickup day, service is delayed by one day — check the holiday calendar for details
Use Metro’s designated Haz-Bin collection events or drop-off centers for safe, proper disposal of hazardous materials
Yard waste is collected weekly if placed in paper bags or bundled—no plastic bags allowed, and limbs must be under 3 feet long
You can place one large item at the curb per week—call WM to schedule pickup, and wrap upholstered items in plastic
Check the Metro Louisville 'Specialty Disposal' resources for drop-off locations or events for electronics and other unique items
Log into your My WM account to request cart repair or replacement online, or contact WM customer support for help
See the 'Metro Louisville Services' section below for more about recycling drop-off sites, composting, and hazardous disposal