Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Delaware
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, with specific pickup days determined by neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same designated day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular collection day from mid-April through mid-December, as well as during January for post-holiday collection.
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling fees are billed directly through the City of Delaware and bundled with your monthly water, sewer, and stormwater utility charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH Direct Debit), Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Green or Black (City-provided Tipcart) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 5:00 AM on your collection day. All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid closed unless an official $1.50 Bag Tag is affixed to extra bags. A QR code on the lid links to schedule updates.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Heavily soiled paper products
Blue (City-provided Tipcart) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, empty, and placed loosely inside the recycling tipcart. Do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel food cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Medical sharps
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place loose yard waste in biodegradable paper bags or 32-gallon containers marked 'Yard Waste'. Containers, bags, or bundled brush must not exceed 50 pounds each. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Lawn trimmings and grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Bushes, vines, and brush
- ✓Biodegradable garden waste
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Typically Thursdays)
Placement
Place approved items at the curb prior to 5:00 AM on your scheduled Thursday bulk collection day. Ensure items do not block the sidewalk or standard refuse tipcarts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large toys
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut into 4-foot bundles, up to 18 bundles = 1 item)
- ✓ Basketball poles (cut to 4-foot sections with base emptied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Unwrapped mattresses
- ✕ Items not listed on the pre-approved registration form
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
A base fee of $50 covers up to five items. Additional items cost $10 each. Payments must be made via credit card online, or in-person using cash or check. In-person credit card payments are not accepted.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
In some instances, refuse collection is delayed by a day for certain recognized holidays. Residents can scan the QR code located on the top of their city-provided tipcart to view the exact holiday delay schedule for the current year.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the same holiday delay schedule as standard household refuse.
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are typically pushed back one day, with Friday routes serviced on Saturday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring through Late Autumn
Mid-April - Mid-DecemberThe City of Delaware's curbside yard waste collection program runs weekly during these months on your scheduled refuse day. Yard debris must be properly bagged in kraft paper or placed in clearly labeled 32-gallon cans.
Winter Cleanup
JanuaryYard waste collection is extended through the month of January to accommodate late winter cleanups and the disposal of natural Christmas trees. Remember to remove all tinsel, ornaments, and stands.
Move-In / Move-Out Season
Year-RoundThe city offers a one-time free collection of extra bagged garbage for new residents within their first month of establishing service, as well as for departing residents who have scheduled their final utility shutoff. Call 740-203-1810 to schedule.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Solid Waste Operations
In the City of Delaware, Ohio, household garbage collection takes place from Monday through Friday. To ensure your address is serviced, your city-issued blue 32- or 96-gallon tipcart must be placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. on your designated day. Residents have the flexibility to put containers out up to 24 hours in advance, but they must be returned from the public right of way within 24 hours after the truck passes. Because the municipality utilizes automated side-loading trucks, the tipcart needs to be positioned at least four feet away from mailboxes, cars, and utility poles.
Navigating Your Recycling Guidelines
The community participates in single-stream recycling, meaning all accepted materials go into one container without the need for manual sorting at home. Homes are equipped with either an 18-gallon blue bin or a larger 64-gallon green wheeled cart. You can mix cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics directly in the container. Make sure to thoroughly rinse food residue from jars and cans. Most importantly, never bag your recyclables in plastic grocery sacks, as the thin film jams the sorting facility's heavy machinery.
Yard Debris Seasons and Rules
Seasonal yard trimming collection runs from mid-April through mid-December, as well as during the month of January. This service occurs on your standard trash day. Homeowners must use biodegradable paper bags or standard 32-gallon trash cans with handles for leaves, grass clippings, and brush. If you opt for a reusable can, it must feature a designated Yard Waste sticker. The Public Works department and the Utility Billing office provide these specific decals to residents entirely free of charge.
Scheduling Special Bulk Pickups
Disposing of furniture, appliances, and large household goods requires scheduling ahead of time, rather than just leaving them at the curb. Bulk collection typically happens on Thursdays. The fee structure begins at $50 for up to five individual items, and up to three additional pieces can be added for $10 each, capping at a maximum of eight items per stop. Be aware of health and safety protocols: mattresses and box springs must be entirely wrapped in thick plastic and sealed with tape, otherwise the crew will reject them.
Discounts and Special Assistance
The city administration aims to make waste disposal accessible and affordable for all households. The standard monthly rate is $27, which covers weekly trash, recycling, and yard waste services. However, residents aged 65 and older qualify for a 25% senior discount upon request. Additionally, individuals who are physically unable to maneuver the heavy tipcarts down their driveway can apply for a service exemption, allowing sanitation workers to empty the bins directly from the side of the house or garage.
Drop-off Facilities
DKMM Solid Waste District Drop-Off Locations
Various locations across Delaware County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should my trash be at the curb in Delaware?
Your tipcart must be placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. on your designated collection day, though it can be set out up to 24 hours prior.
How do I dispose of an old mattress?
Mattresses and box springs must be individually wrapped in heavy plastic and taped securely before your scheduled, pre-paid Thursday bulk pickup.
How can I get a yard waste sticker for my can?
Free yard waste stickers are available for pickup at the Utility Billing Office in City Hall or at the Public Works Facility on E William Street.