Solid Waste

Trash Pickup Days
Pickup for trash collection, yard waste and bulky item occur on the same day. Look up trash day by address.

New Trash Service/Additional Bins
Residents can sign up for weekly trash collection when setting up new water service by calling 311. Monthly trash service is $15.10 per month and is billed on the Utilities bill. (Senior rate is $9.06 per month). Residents can choose between a 48-or 96-gallon bin.

Residents can request an additional bin for $8.58 per month at any time by calling 311 or making an online request.

Weekly Trash Pickup
Pickup days are Monday through Thursday. Look up your trash day by address. Service is  delayed by one day when City holidays fall Monday through Thursday.

Bins must be out by by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and placed within two feet of the curb with the lid closed and opening facing the street. Bins should NOT be blocked by a vehicle and should be at least three feet from other bins and objects.

All trash must be bagged and placed in city issued bins with the lid closed and the opening facing the street. Bags on top of the bin or on the ground or in personal containers will NOT be collected.

Only regular household trash may be put in bins, No electronic waste, yard waste, loose debris, paints, chemicals or other hazardous materials are allowed. Hazardous waste should be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 828 Kerr Street.

Weekly Yard Waste Pickup (April 1 – November 30)
Weekly pickup of yard waste, such as grass clippings, brush, twigs and leaves, is available to only city residents for a fee of $4.50 per month during the season. Yard waste season runs April 1 to November 30. A 48-or 96-gallon bin is provided with collection taking place on the same day as trash pickup. Residents can sign up for the program online or by calling 311. Note: This program is only available to residents within city limits. Residents in city limits have a three or four digit address.

Yard waste collected from residents is converted to mulch and compost which is available free of charge if self-loading at Organic Resources, located at 4340 Trade Drive.

Residents are asked to follow these guidelines for yard waste bins:

• Bins must be out by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and placed within two feet of the curb with the lid closed and opening facing the street. Bins should NOT be blocked by a vehicle and should be at least three feet from other bins and objects.
• Items ACCEPTED in yard waste bins are:
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Twigs
  • Weeds
• Must be completely void of the items below or it will not be picked up:
  • Animal waste
  • Dirt and rocks
  • Food waste
  • Household trash
  • Lumber
  • Oils, liquids and other hazardous waste
  • Plastic bags
  • Recycling
• All yard waste must be placed in city issued bins with the lid closed and the opening facing the street. Bags on top of the bin or on the ground or in personal containers will NOT be collected.

Extra Trash Pickup
Homeowners within city limits can request an extra pickup for yard waste or a large item. Each household is allowed one extra pickup, equal to one cubic yard in size, per month at no charge.

Additional extra pickups for the month will be charged $20 per cubic yard. The extra pickup takes place on the same day as trash pickup. Items must be placed within two feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and should NOT be blocked by a vehicle, bins or any other objects.  Items should be placed out no sooner than 24 hours prior to the scheduled date of pickup.

No electronic waste, yard waste loose debris, paints chemicals or other hazardous materials are allowed.

Request an Extra Trash Pickup

Yard Waste Extra Pickup
Homeowners within city limits are allowed one free yard waste extra pickup of up to 10 30-gallon biodegradable yard waste bags or a cubic yard of bundled and tied limbs per month. Branches need to be cut to four feet or shorter, be no more than four inches in diameter and bundled securely with twine into manageable bundles.

Additional extra pickups for the month will be charged $10 per cubic yard. Extra pickups take place on the same day as trash pickup. Items must be placed within two feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and should NOT be blocked by a vehicle, bins or any other objects.

Request a Yard Waste Extra Pickup

Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste
Recycling and the Household Hazardous Waste facility are handled by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management District, not the City of South Bend.

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 828 Kerr Street, accepts electronics of all kinds, batteries, mercury, pesticides/herbicides, tires, waste fuels, and more. The service is free for South Bend residents, but they will need to show their ID. More information can be found on their website or by calling 574.235.9971.

2023 Holidays That Impact Trash Service
The 2023 designated holidays that will impact service are listed below. If weekly service falls on or after a City holiday, pickup will be delayed by one day. If your normal pickup is before the holiday that week, there will be no change to your service.

Monday, January 2, 2023 — New Year’s Day (observed)
Monday, January 16, 2023 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, May 29, 2023 — Memorial Day
Monday, June 19, 2023 — Juneteenth (observed)
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 — Independence Day
Monday, September 4, 2023 — Labor Day
Thursday, November 23, 2023 — Thanksgiving
Monday, December 25, 2023 — Christmas Day (observed)