Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cincinnati
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Thursday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste is collected every other week on your recycling day from April through the second week of January.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for eligible 1- to 4-unit residential properties is funded through general municipal taxes and provided at no separate monthly trash charge.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income seniors (age 65+) and disabled veterans may receive a 25% discount on municipal water and sewer services through Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW Discount 4U) and MSD assistance programs.
City-Approved Cart (Usually Black or Grey) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Up to 3 small/light items (under 45 lbs) can be placed next to the cart without a bulk appointment. Set out by 6 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Carpet pieces (cut to 3-foot lengths, max 24-inch diameter)
Green Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place loose recyclables directly into the green cart. Never bag your recyclables. Set out by 6 AM on your scheduled alternating collection week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Scrap metal and car parts
Yard Waste Bin
Place in paper yard waste bags or rigid cans clearly marked 'Yard Waste'. Max weight is 25 lbs per bag/can. Branches must be tied with cotton rope or twine, max 3 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Twigs and small branches (under 6 inches thick)
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Items must be set out on the driveway apron or curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before your scheduled appointment, and no later than 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Small appliances and microwaves
- ✓ Toilets (tank and bowl must be separated)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires (requires a separate specific tire collection request)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Pianos and organs
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Hazardous liquids (paint, oil)
Bulk pickup is a free service for eligible residential properties receiving city trash collection, provided appointments are scheduled in advance via 311.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a regular trash-collection day falls on an observed holiday, your trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage and recycling.
Holidays falling on a weekend typically do not impact the standard Monday-Friday residential collection routes.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
Mid-January to MarchBi-weekly yard waste collection is completely suspended from the second week of January until April. Residents must find alternative composting solutions or hold onto yard waste during these months.
Fall
October to DecemberDuring heavy leaf-fall, ensure leaves are strictly packed in brown paper yard bags or clearly labeled cans. Leaves raked into the street or placed in plastic bags will not be collected by DPS.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberBi-weekly yard waste pickup resumes. Because collection trucks may service one side of the street hours before the other, wait until the end of the day to report a missed pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Routine Garbage Collection in Cincinnati
The City of Cincinnati Department of Public Services (DPS) manages residential waste disposal, ensuring neighborhoods remain clean and sanitary. Standard household garbage is picked up on a weekly basis. Residents are expected to use the provided city carts, placing them at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled service day. It is strictly prohibited to place hazardous materials, wet paint, or construction debris inside your standard cart. Always bag your household trash before dropping it into the bin to prevent litter from blowing into the street during automated pickup.
Bi-Weekly Recycling and Yard Debris
Cincinnati encourages sustainability through its bi-weekly recycling and yard waste programs. Both of these services operate on an every-other-week schedule, typically occurring on the exact same day as your routine garbage route. The yard waste program runs seasonally from April through January. Leaves, brush, and grass clippings can be placed in clearly marked personal containers or paper yard bags. Ensure your recyclables are clean, unbagged, and free of food residue before tossing them into your designated recycling cart.
How to Handle Large Household Items
If you have oversized items like old furniture, mattresses, or large appliances, you cannot simply leave them on the curb expecting standard trucks to grab them. Cincinnati residents who receive city trash service must actively schedule a bulk item pickup. This can be done by submitting a service request through the 311Cincy portal or calling the city’s 311 help desk. Smaller items like microwaves or rolled carpet sections under three feet do not require a special request and can go out with normal trash.
Cart Regulations and Spacing
Due to the automated nature of modern sanitation fleets, how you position your cart matters just as much as what goes inside it. Bins should sit flush against the curb with the metal lift bar facing the roadway. DPS strictly enforces a clearance zone around each cart. You must leave at least three feet of space between your garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers. Keep all bins completely clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches.
Reporting Missed Collections
Occasionally, a route might be delayed or a cart accidentally bypassed. If your street was serviced but your specific bins were left full, first verify that you followed all spacing and content rules. If there is no violation tag on your cart, you can report a missed collection to the Neighborhood Operations Division via the 311Cincy app. Service tickets are tracked closely, and trucks are typically dispatched to resolve the issue within a few business days.
Holiday Route Changes
City collection routes observe several major national holidays, which naturally impacts the standard schedule. When a recognized holiday falls during the workweek, garbage and recycling services are pushed forward by one day. A Monday holiday means Monday's routes happen on Tuesday, continuing this pattern until Friday routes are completed on Saturday. Residents can always check the official DPS calendar online for exact dates and updates.
Drop-off Facilities
Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (Seasonal)
Environmental Enterprises, 4600 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45232
Materials Accepted
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill
10795 Hughes Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cincinnati pick up yard waste year-round?
No. Curbside yard waste collection in Cincinnati is a bi-weekly service that runs seasonally from April through January.
Can I put large furniture out with my regular garbage?
Oversized items require you to submit a specific bulk item pickup request through 311Cincy, though small furniture and rolled carpet under three feet can go with regular trash.
What should I do if my trash was not collected?
If you followed all placement rules and your cart was missed, submit a missed collection service request via the 311Cincy app or by calling the city help desk.