The Metro Division of Solid Waste Management provides special programs and services throughout the year to assist residents. These include responding to reports of illegal dumping, supervising litter pickup crews throughout Louisville Metro thru the Anti-Litter Campaign, and special events support which includes The Kentucky Derby, Thunder Over Louisville, Light Up Louisville, St. James Art Fair to name a few. Other responsibilities include dead animal removal in the right-of-way, responding to requests for emergency services in the Urban Services District dealing with the results of storms and debris spilled on City streets. In addition, the division is an integral part of the Louisville Metro Snow Removal Program and is responsible for some 700 miles of roadway in the Urban Services District.
VOLUNTEER CLEANUP
Metro Solid Waste, in partnership with 
Brightside, assists with volunteer cleanups coordinated by neighborhood, business and civic organizations. To schedule a cleanup, phone MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000 at least one month prior to the desired cleanup date.
Volunteers are needed throughout the year for our community-wide anti-litter campaign.
SEMI-ANNUAL JUNK AND BULK WASTE DISPOSAL
The Division of Solid Waste Management provides an opportunity for twice-a-year junk and bulk waste drop-off for households in the Louisville Metro area.
While this junk drop-off is primarily intended to serve residents i
n the Suburban Areas without regular curbside junk collection, it is open to all residents of Louisville Metro.
The free drop-offs are generally held in April and October of each year. The drop-off is scheduled on weekends as a convenience to residents. For details on the dates and locations of these special drop-offs, check the home page Calendar of this website or phone MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000.
The drop off will accept bulky junk items such as appliances, furniture, mattresses, etc. Metal items are separated and recycled, and Freon® is properly removed from appliances. The drop-off will not accept:
- Tires
- Propane Cylinders
- Fire Extinguishers
- LiquidsHazardous Waste
- Computer Monitors
- Yard Waste
GREEN INC.
BUSINESS WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAM
Nearly 50% of the waste stream consists of waste generated by business and industry. Waste reduction activities by businesses can not only provide environmental benefits to the community but also can positively impact the bottom line.
Green Inc. is an educational and technical assistance program to help businesses initiate or expand waste reduction, reuse and recycling in the workplace. Green Inc. provides a comprehensive waste reduction educational packet for a do-it-yourself approach.
Metro Solid Waste Management can also provide free, on-site technical assistance to help any size business implement a waste reduction program. Businesses can obtain more information or assistance by calling the Division of Solid Waste Management at 574.3571.
OFFICE TELEPHONE BOOK RECYCLING
Businesses are encouraged to recycle telephone books particularly when the new books for the upcoming year are issued. Louisville Metro Government provides a special drop-off location in the downtown area and the suburban area in April and October of each year. For details on the dates and locations of these special drop-offs, check the home page Calendar of this website or phone MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000. Telephone books may also be recycled at any time by taking them to any drop-off or staffed recycling location and placing them in the paper compartment.
LAWN CARE REBATE PROGRAM
From March thru September, Metro Solid Waste, in partnership with the Metro Air Pollution Control District, accepts gasoline, electric, and human-powered lawn maintenance equipment and replacement batteries. Rebate vouchers are issued as proof of recycling so participants can receive the larger bonus rebate instead of the standard rebate. Only residents of Louisville Metro are eligible. Proof of residency is required for rebate (drivers license or other official state issued identification). 
- All eligible equipment must be purchased new or factory reconditioned.
- Only one rebate will be issued for each piece of equipment purchased.
- For a Bonus Rebate, trade-in equipment must be gasoline, electric, or human-powered equipment and replacement batteries, similar to the new eligible electric, reel, or battery-powered equipment that will be purchased. The old equipment should be taken to one of the recycling centers listed below before you purchase your new equipment if you are purchasing your new equipment from a participating retailer.
- Participating Metro locations only accept mowers that are drained of all oil and gasoline.
For details on the dates and locations, check the home page Calendar of this website or phone Air Pollution at 574.5322.
CHRISTMAS TREE-CYCLING
For several weeks after Christmas, Metro Solid Waste, in partnership with Metro Streets and Road, and Brightside, provide the opportunity for "live" Christmas tree recycling at several locations throughout Louisville Metro
. Residents and tree vendors are encouraged to recycle the trees and take the pine mulch home to use around plants, particularly acid-loving ones. Mulch not taken be residents is used in various Metro Parks and at Brightsite locations. For details on the dates and locations check the home page Calendar of this website or phone MetroCall at 311 or 574.5000. Residents with yard waste pickup may set their trees out for pickup on their collection day.