Frequently Asked Questions – Solid Waste

Beginning in 2025, trash and recycling collection will only pause for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. For these holidays, the delayed holiday schedule will be in effect, with pickup happening one day later for the rest of the week.

For all other holidays, we’ll be sticking to our regular schedule. That means your trash will still get picked up on its usual day—even if it’s a holiday!

Visit the Service Calendar & Reminders page to learn more and to set up trash reminders!

Please set your trash carts out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.

If you’re unsure of your specific collection day, visit our Service Calendar & Reminders page to see when your collection day is. You can also visit the Residential Trash Collection page to learn more about how the City’s trash collection works.

Fill out the Residential Special Item Pickup Service form to schedule curbside pickup for large or bulky items, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, hide-a-beds, etc.

Call the Solid Waste Division at 785-832-3032 for all questions regarding prohibited items or visit the Residential Trash Collection page for more information.

There are different regulations on disposal of construction debris based on amount, frequency and residential/commercial location. Call the Solid Waste Division at 785-832-3032 for all questions regarding construction waste, such as lumber, rock, sheetrock, etc. Visit the Roll-Off Services page for more information.

The Solid Waste Division takes all trash to the Hamm Sanitary Landfill, located north of Lawrence. For additional questions regarding the landfill or dump, call Hamm directly at 785-597-5111.

Lawrence has several thrift and re-sale stores providing reuse opportunities for many items. Planet Aid also accepts bagged, dry clothing and shoes in yellow containers located throughout Lawrence.

Single-stream curbside recycling means all permitted recyclable materials may be combined at your home and set out for collection in a co-mingled recycling container. For more information, visit the City of Lawrence Recycling page.

Yes. The City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division provides both corrugated cardboard and office paper recycling programs. There is no additional charge for the recycling containers or this service. For more information, visit the City of Lawrence Recycling page.

Yes. You can search our Recyclable Materials Directory to find local recycling and reuse opportunities.

Residents can set up service reminders for their trash and recycling collection Visit our Solid Waste Service Reminders page to learn more.

Local drop-off and manufacturer take back options are available. Visit the City of Lawrence recycling page to learn more.

Small appliances can be disposed of legally in your household trash, but can be recycled also. Visit the City of Lawrence recycling page for more information, or call 785-832-3032.

Any lamp or bulb labeled “Hg” contains mercury vapor. Recycling mercury containing lamps prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up these lights. Visit our Recyclable Materials Directory for information on recycling options for both households and businesses.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. View the EPA clean up and disposal recommendations for fluorescent bulbs.

Research has found medications and their byproducts in ground and surface waters, suggesting that disposal of unused or outdated medicine down the toilet is not a completely effective way of preventing contamination. View the City of Lawrence medication disposal flier (PDF).

Household hazardous waste represents a wide variety of wastes which are produced as a result of normal household activities. Each of these products may pose a threat to sanitation workers or public health and the environment when improperly handled or disposed.

There are several drop-off recycling locations in Lawrence for motor oil, antifreeze and lead-acid batteries. Visit the Recylable Materials Directory for more information.

The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts a wide variety of hazardous materials from Douglas County households for proper disposal. Visit the City of Lawrence Household Hazardous Waste page for more information.

The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Business Hazardous Waste program can provide hazardous waste disposal for qualifying small businesses in Douglas County. For more information, visit the City of Lawrence Small Business Hazardous Waste Program page.

The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility distributes paint, cleaners and other items that are in good, usable condition to the public free of charge. Visit the City of Lawrence Household Hazardous Waste page for more information.

Yard Waste & Composting

The City picks up yard waste which includes grass, leaves and small woody debris on the same day as trash service, year-round from households (winter weather permitting). Material must be set out at the curb by 6 a.m. in City yard waste carts (not recycling or trash carts) or compostable yard waste paper bags. Bundles of tree and brush trimmings are also accepted. Each bundle must not exceed five feet in length nor 18 inches in diameter, and must not weigh more than 65 pounds. Bundles must be tied with string or twine (no wire, duct tape, etc.). Yard waste set out in plastic bags or personal cans will not be picked up.

Set it out in a City yard waste cart, compostable paper bags or bundles by 6 a.m. for curbside collection on Mondays, March through mid-December. Woody debris can also be dropped off on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from March through mid-December at the City’s Composting Facility located at 1420 E. 11th Street. Cost is $5 per truckload.

After the Christmas holiday, the Solid Waste Division picks up live-cut trees for reuse as wildlife habitat. Please remove all artificial items including tinsel, lights, and tree stands. Have your tree set out at the curb by 6 a.m. for pickup. Visit the City of Lawrence Christmas Tree-Cycling page for more information including exact dates, or call the Solid Waste Division at 785-832-3032.

Yes, compost and woodchips are available on Saturdays, self-load only 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from March through mid-December (fees may apply). The City also hosts a Spring and Fall Compost & Woodchip Sale in which scoops of the finished compost and woodchips are loaded by tractor and sold to residents for use on their home lawns and gardens. For specific details, visit the Compost & Woodchip sales page.

Yes, the Solid Waste Division offers outreach and education opportunities for youth and adults in the community. We can offer facility tours and class presentations, to name a few. Check out our Outreach page to learn more.