What Goes in My Cart?

Smiling man placing a plastic bag full of garbage in a black garbage cart.

Garbage Disposal Guide

You can bag and place most household waste in your garbage cart. 

Hazardous materials cannot go in your cart. These include common items like batteries, syringes, medications, and paint. Learn more about hazardous waste. Learn more about household hazardous waste.

Before throwing something away, consider if it can be reused. Learn more about reuse options.

What Goes in My Garbage Cart?
Smiling man placing a paper bag full of recycling in a blue recycling cart.

Recycling Disposal Guide

We have a single-sort recycling system. Place all recyclable materials in your recycling cart. 

While we recycle many common household items, there are a number that we can't accept. Hazardous waste, some types of plastic, food scraps and other non-recyclables can contaminate your entire cart. Keep these out of your cart to ensure the rest of your materials get recycled as they should. 

What Goes in My Recycling Cart?

Prepare for Collection Day

Find Your Collection Day

Place Garbage and Recycling in Carts

  • Bag all garbage. Don't place loose items in your garbage cart.
  • Do not put recycling in plastic bags. Collect recycling in paper bags or place items directly in your cart.
    • All recycling must fit loosely inside your cart with the lid closed.
    • Flatten boxes and place inside your recycling cart.

Gather Overflow Garbage and Recycling

  • Extra garbage bags that don't fit in your cart can be collected at a fee of $4 per bag, plus tax. Bag all extra garbage and keep it inside until your collection day so it doesn't attract animals.
  • Extra recycling materials can be placed next to your cart. You can set out up to six paper grocery bags or three cardboard boxes.

Bring Carts to Your Curb or Alley

  • Put your carts out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
  • Place carts along the edge of your alley or curb with arrows on lid facing out.
  • Place carts three feet apart from each other and any other objects.
  • Don't place carts in the street, on or behind a retaining wall, inside a fence, or behind a car.
  • Clear snow from around your carts. Don't place carts in a snowbank or standing water. 

Walk-Up Service

We provide free walk-up service for people who aren't able to bring their carts out to the curb or alley. 

If you do not meet the criteria for free walk-up service, you can pay for this service. The fee depends on how far your cart is from your curb or alley:

  • Less than 100 feet: $22.92 per month (plus tax).

  • More than 100 feet: $29.17 per month (plus tax). 

All garbage placed inside of your cart for walk-up service must be bagged and weigh less than 40 pounds. Additional services, such as bulky item or yard waste collection, are not available as a walk-up service.

To apply for walk-up service, fill out our online request form below or call us at 651-266-6101.

Request Walk-Up Service   

Start, Stop, or Pause Collection

Last Edited: April 15, 2025