Residential Curbside and Dropoff Services

Most of our waste can be diverted from landfills to be used as resources. But how do you know what belongs where? And how does the waste get to the right place?

Cities and counties should ensure every resident has access to what are called "core services" — various types of waste disposal that deal with specific materials.

  • Recycling: Items that contain useful materials that can be made into new products.
  • Trash: Only stuff that can't be recycled/reused.
  • Yard waste: Leaves, brush, grass clippings.
  • Household hazardous waste: Dangerous materials such as paint, lawn & garden chemicals and automotive fluids; HHW facilities and events can help properly dispose of those items.
  • Bulky item pick-up: Old furniture, appliances or other large items.
  • Community cleanup days: One-time collections organized by a community, like a paper-shredding event.

Core services can essentially be divided into two categories:

Curbside

Many community or private waste management companies pick up materials at the curbs and process them elsewhere.

  • Trash
  • Recycling
  • Yard waste
  • Bulky item pick-up

Drop-off

Some people don't have access to curbside services, and there are some items that can't be left at the curb or need special handling, such as glass or hazardous household chemicals. Many cities or counties make it easy for you to drop off materials at designated collection sites.

  • Recycling
  • Yard waste
  • Household hazardous waste
  • Community cleanup days

Having a range of these services helps us all effectively divert waste and directs valuable materials to a more useful purpose.

Want to know what core services you have access to? See which community services are offered in your city or county.