Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cincinnati
Ohio waste management services operate on weekly zone-based schedules. Exact pickup days vary based on your local municipality or private franchise hauler.
State Mandate
Ohio EPA regulations prohibit the disposal of whole scrap tires in standard landfills.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Put Yard Waste in the Recycling Cart
Keep all yard waste out of your green recycling cart and your regular garbage cart. Mixing yard debris with standard recyclables compromises the sorting process at the Rumpke facility and will result in a missed collection tag.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Green Bin
Plastic grocery bags and plastic film wrap around sorting equipment, causing severe jams and safety hazards. Take soft plastics back to dedicated drop-off bins at local grocery stores.
Properly Dispose of Sharps and Needles
Medical sharps must never be placed loosely in the garbage or recycling. They must be secured in a rigid plastic container, such as a laundry detergent bottle, tightly sealed with a lid, clearly marked 'SHARPS', and then placed in the regular trash.
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.
About Cincinnati Waste Management
Automated Cart-Based Garbage Collection in the Queen City
The City of Cincinnati's Department of Public Services (DPS) requires all single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units to use city-approved trash carts. To ensure smooth operations for automated collection vehicles, these specific carts must have a lift pocket and a steel lower lift-bar. Carts should never weigh more than 75 pounds and must have their lids fully closed to deter neighborhood wildlife and prevent litter from scattering.
Bi-Weekly Green Cart Recycling Program
In partnership with Rumpke, Cincinnati operates a robust every-other-week curbside recycling program. Residents are provided with green recycling carts in various sizes, ranging from 35-gallon to 96-gallon, to suit different household needs and storage constraints. Carts must be placed at the curb between 5:00 PM the evening before and 6:00 AM on collection day, avoiding mailboxes and parked cars to give automated collection arms enough clearance.
Streamlined, Appointment-Based Bulk Item Pickup
Unlike cities with neighborhood-wide heavy trash days, Cincinnati utilizes an efficient, appointment-only system for bulk item disposal. Residents can schedule pickups for up to five large items, such as appliances, mattresses, and furniture, by calling 311 or booking online. This localized approach prevents neighborhood clutter and ensures that items are collected by specialized trucks equipped with hydraulic claws.
Seasonal Limits on Yard Debris Removal
Cincinnati strictly regulates its yard waste collection, running the bi-weekly service only from mid-April through the second week of January. During the active season, yard waste must be placed in compostable paper bags or clearly marked reusable cans weighing no more than 25 pounds. Brush and branches must be neatly tied with cotton rope or heavy twine, ensuring pieces remain under three feet long to protect sanitation workers.
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
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Cincinnati?
Bulk item collections in Cincinnati are by appointment only. You can schedule a pickup for up to 5 heavy items by calling 311 (513-765-1212) or by submitting a service request online through the 311Cincy portal.
What should I do if my city garbage cart is damaged?
If your city-issued garbage or recycling cart has broken wheels or a cracked lid, you can submit a cart repair request via the 311Cincy app or by calling 513-765-1212. Repairs are usually completed on Fridays.
Can I throw away old tires with my regular bulk trash?
No. Tires are not accepted in standard garbage or regular bulk collection. You must submit a separate, specific tire collection request through Cincinnati 311 to have them properly disposed of.
Does Cincinnati collect yard waste during the winter?
No. The City of Cincinnati's yard waste collection program is suspended annually from the second week of January until the beginning of April.