Household garbage within the Urban Services District is collected utilizing an automated garbage collection system. One roll-out cart is provided at no charge and all household garbage must be set out in your cart. Garbage is no longer collected from cans unless an exemption has been granted. A serial number printed on the cart identifies it as belonging to your address, but it remains the property of Louisville Metro. If you move, the cart must remain at the property.

COLLECTION SCHEDULE

Residential garbage is collected once per week on a Monday thru Friday schedule.

Do you live in the Urban Services District?
Find your garbage pickup day online by clicking on "My Louisville" on the upper left side of this page.

Garbage must be set at the curb or the alley no earlier than 4 PM on the day before your collection day and no later than 6 AM on collection day. All containers must be removed from the street or alley no later than 4 PM the day after collection and stored on your property.

HOLIDAY COLLECTION SCHEDULE

There is no garbage collection on Metro Government holidays. When a holiday falls on a weekday, all collections for that day (garbage, yard waste, and recyclables) will be canceled and collected the following day. All collections for the remainder of the week are delayed for one day.

Metro Government Holidays

CART USE GUIDELINES

• Position the cart so that the handle faces away from the street/alley.
• Cart must be positioned at the edge of the curb or alley and at least three feet away from other carts, walls, buildings, poles, etc.—do not block sidewalks.
• Do not overload the cart (maximum load 200 lbs).
• No household garbage in plastic bags outside the cart.
• Do not place hot ashes, flammable liquids, construction debris, auto parts, junk items, dirt or rocks in the cart.
• Do not put yard waste in the cart. For yard waste disposal guidelines, click here. 
• Remove the cart from curb or alley when emptied.
• Wash the cart periodically with soap and water.
• Keep the lid closed to keep odor and litter in and animals out.

DAMAGED OR STOLEN CART

• Report damaged cart to MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.
• Citizen must provide name, address, daytime phone number, cart serial number, description of damage, and cart size.
• Report stolen cart to MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.
• Citizen will be instructed by MetroCall to provide the serial number of the stolen cart.
• A new cart will be delivered within five days of the MetroCall complaint to the front of the property at the given address.
• If the stolen cart is a purchased cart, the citizen will be charged for the replacement.

ADDITIONAL CART

• Additional carts may be requested by downloading the Garbage Cart Request Form (pdf) or phone MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.
• Citizen needs to fill out the form in its entirety and mail to the address noted on the form. .
• There will be a charge of $65 for an additional 95 gallon cart and $60 for a 68 gallon cart. If the household cannot afford the additional cart, proof of income must be furnished. (Federal income guidelines will be used.)
• Citizens are strongly urged to completely utilize the space in the first cart before putting garbage into additional carts.
• Cart will be delivered as soon as possible.

SMALLER CART

• Requests for a smaller cart (68 gallon) may be made by downloading the Garbage Cart Request Form (pdf) or MetroCall at 311 or
  574.5000.
• Citizen needs to fill out the form in its entirety and mail to the address noted on the form. The serial number from the large cart must be included on the form.
• Cart will be exchanged as soon as possible.

EXEMPTIONS

• Requests for an exemption must be made by must be made to MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.
• Citizen will be mailed a form to complete
• Citizen will be required to provide proof of physical disability (written doctor's statement).
• If granted an exemption for physical disability, citizen may set garbage out in plastic bags or garbage cans with lids.
• Exemption requests based on setout site features will require verification by staff.
• If granted an exemption for setout site features, citizen must use garbage cans with lids.

COLLECTION FROM CANS

If you have received an exemption from using a roll- out cart, garbage must be set out in cans no larger than 40 gallons with two lifting handles and a tightly fitting lid; plastic bags of garbage outside of cans will be accepted. When filled, the can must weigh no more than 60 pounds and be easily lifted by the average person. There is no limit to the number of cans that residents may set out for collection.

COLLECTION GUIDELINES (Cans)

• Items must be set out by 6 AM on collection day - no earlier than 4 PM on the day before collection day.
• All containers must be removed from the street or alley no later than 4 PM the day after collection and stored on the property.
• No grass, leaves or other yard waste may be mixed with household garbage.
• Auto parts, tires, asphalt, hazardous waste (including medical waste), hot ashes, asbestos, concrete, dirt, gravel, rock, sand or liquid paint may NOT be set out for collection. (See paint disposal under Household Hazardous Materials )
• Broken glass should be containerized before being put into a container.
• Cardboard boxes may be recycled. (See Recyclable Materials) However, if cardboard boxes are set out for garbage collection, they must be flattened into pieces no larger than 4 feet per side, tied into a bundle weighing less than 60 pounds, and set out next to your waste container.
• Drain liquids from all containers prior to putting them in the waste receptacle.
• No plastic bags outside of carts or cans will be accepted.
• Animal waste should be placed in a plastic bag prior to disposal.
• Needles should be placed in a rigid container with a tight fitting lid prior to placement in the waste container.

HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE COLLECTION WITHIN THE SUBURBAN AREAS

Waste collection, recycling and yard waste services outside the Urban Services District (referred to as the Suburban Areas) depend on where in the Metro area you live. The City of Shively provides its own collection services. If you live in one of Jefferson County’s other small cities, your city administrator can tell you which private hauler your city uses. If you don't know the names of your city officers and your neighbor doesn't know either, check the Jefferson County Clerk’s Voter Connection website at www.lojic.org/apps/voter/eleoffsmcty.pdf or call MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.

If you live in an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, you will need to contract for services with a private waste collection company.

The Metro Waste Management District regulates private waste collection firms. These regulations require that waste haulers must offer the following services to residents: once a week curbside waste collection, curbside recycling and yard waste collection.

It is the responsibility of individual residents to contract with a waste hauler of their choice to receive garbage or recycling services. Each waste hauler offers different levels and options of the basic required services. Licensed waste haulers are listed under “Garbage and Rubbish Removal” in the Yellow Pages. If you live in an incorporated city within the Suburban Areas, please contact your mayor or city hall for information on waste collection in your city.

Under Metro Government waste management ordinances each individual residence or place of business is responsible for the: “…satisfactory storage, removal and disposal of all solid waste generated …” on their property.

In the Suburban Areas, households are also required to use cans that do not exceed 40 gallons in capacity or 60 pounds in weight. Yard waste may not be mixed with other waste anywhere in Louisville Metro. Residents must arrange for separate yard waste collection by their waste hauler or they may take yard waste to a commercial composting site.

For more information about Metro Solid Waste Regulations, call the Waste Management District at 574.3571.