Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bowling Green
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Thursday, based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash using your city-issued container.
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside brush collection occurs 4 times per year, alongside annual fall leaf collection and year-round yard waste drop-off access.
Set Out Time
Between 5:00 PM the evening before and 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
A standard $15 monthly refuse and recycling fee is itemized directly on your Bowling Green Municipal Utilities bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Pay by Text, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
No specific discounts listed; payment assistance is available for qualifying low-income households through the Muni-Pal program and local community partners.
City-issued Refuse Container (Standard) Bin (Trash)
Lids must be completely closed. Do not overfill the container or place bags on the ground beside it, as they will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General refuse
City-issued Recycling Container (Standard) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recycling; bagged items are automatically treated as garbage. Place all recyclables loosely in the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (check local drop-off preferences)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Scrap metal
Yard Waste Bin
Strictly prohibited in refuse and recycling containers. Utilize the four annual brush collection weeks or the designated Yard Waste Drop Off site.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Shrub clippings
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment (Two free collections per year)
Placement
Place items curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled Monday or Friday collection day. Keep items away from your standard toters.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (4ft max length)
- ✓ Large household goods
- ✓ Items under 200 lbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances with freon (refrigerators, AC units)
- ✕ Building and remodeling materials
- ✕ Tires and car parts
- ✕ Liquid paint and chemicals
Mattresses are never free and cost $25 for the first and $15 for subsequent ones (pre-paid). Exceeding the five-item limit incurs a $25 fee for the first extra item and $15 per item thereafter.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, refuse collections from that day forward are delayed by one day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the city observes it on Friday, which has no effect on the Monday-Thursday refuse schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Special brush collection weeks always begin on a Monday; ensure materials are out by 7:00 a.m. regardless of mid-week holidays.
Always refer to the official Public Works calendar for specific holiday delays, as the standard collection week is Monday through Thursday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
JanuaryThe annual Christmas Tree Collection begins the first Monday in January. All natural trees must be stripped of lights, ornaments, and stands, and placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Spring and Fall
April, May, September, OctoberThe City provides free curbside brush collection during the 3rd week of these four months. No scheduling is required, but brush must be on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday collection starts.
Autumn
October - NovemberBowling Green conducts an annual curbside leaf collection. Residents should rake leaves to the curb (not into the street) and watch local media for their specific zone's pickup dates.
Local Tips & Community Info
Bowling Green's Automated Cart System
To maintain the pristine streets of Bowling Green, the Public Works Division utilizes an advanced automated refuse collection fleet. Each household is issued standard rolling carts specifically calibrated for the mechanical trucks. To guarantee a successful morning pickup, residents are required to have their containers stationed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled route day. When setting out your bins, position the wheels and handle toward your property, leaving at least a three-foot gap from any trees, parked cars, or utility poles.
Single-Stream Recycling Directives
Diverting waste from the Wood County landfill is a major priority for the local government. Your designated recycling container is meant for loose, unbagged materials such as flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. It is absolutely crucial that you do not place plastic grocery sacks into this cart, as they severely tangle the processing equipment at the regional sorting center. All recyclable materials must easily fall out of the cart when the truck hoists it upside down.
Managing Brush and The Pearl Street Facility
Rather than mixing organic debris with household garbage, Bowling Green provides the Pearl Street Yard Waste Drop-Off site for its residents. Located near the public works garage, this facility accepts grass clippings, leaves, and small branches throughout the growing season. Access is strictly limited to city residents, so bringing a recent utility bill or driver's license is required for entry. Additionally, the city conducts specialized curbside brush collection during designated weeks in the spring and fall.
Guidelines for Large and Bulky Goods
When replacing furniture or cleaning out a garage, oversized refuse cannot simply be squeezed into your automated cart. Bowling Green residents must contact the Public Works office to coordinate the removal of bulky household items such as mattresses, rolled carpets, or broken appliances. A designated fee is often applied to your municipal account for these special pickups. Be aware that items containing refrigerants require certified Freon extraction prior to loading, and all fabric-based furniture must be wrapped in plastic.
Adjustments for Federal Holidays
The sanitation crews observe six major national holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these specific dates disrupts the normal Monday through Thursday collection calendar, your refuse service will be pushed back by one full day, ensuring everyone still receives their weekly pickup while giving city workers time with their families.
Drop-off Facilities
Bowling Green Recycling Center
1040 North College Drive, Bowling Green, OH 43402
Materials Accepted
Wood County Landfill
15320 Tontogany Road, Bowling Green, OH 43402
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a repair for a broken garbage cart lid?
Reach out directly to the Bowling Green Public Works Division at 419-354-6227. They will dispatch a maintenance worker to fix or swap out the damaged container.
Are televisions and electronics allowed in the regular trash?
No, electronic waste like old TVs and computer monitors are banned from standard curbside bins. They should be taken to designated e-waste recycling events hosted by the Wood County Solid Waste District.
What happens if my garbage is missed because I put it out too late?
If your bins were not at the street by the 7:00 a.m. deadline, the automated trucks will not return to your street. You will need to wait until the following week's scheduled route to empty your carts.