Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hamilton
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.
Blue or Rumpke-issued dark carts Bin (Trash)
Trash must be confined entirely within the carts. Resident-owned carts may be used provided they have wheels, attached lids, and a metal lift bar on the front.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small amounts of bagged yard waste (treated as trash)
Green or designated recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
All items must be rinsed, crushed if possible, and placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (mouth smaller than base)
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Single-use plastic clamshells
- ✕Toys
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Drinking glassware
Yard Waste Bin
Limited to 6 containers/bundles per week. Use 35-gallon cans marked 'Yard Waste' or paper yard bags. Brush must be bundled under 4 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. Branches cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter or 75 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your regular trash collection day.
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb alongside your regular trash bins. Mattresses and upholstered furniture should generally be wrapped in plastic for Rumpke pickups.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-freon)
- ✓ Large bulky items that do not fit in carts
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Electronics or batteries
Two items per week are included at no extra charge. Additional items or loads can be taken to the Transfer Station for a fee (or by using the one-time annual free voucher).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Rumpke works standard routes on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup day falls on or after these two holidays during the week, your service will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected concurrently with standard trash, it is subject to the exact same one-day delay during the Christmas and New Year weeks.
Unlike many municipal services, Rumpke does not observe summer or fall holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Thanksgiving for collection pauses in this area.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never bag your recyclables in plastic trash bags or grocery bags. They are considered tanglers and will jam the machinery at the single-stream sorting facility.
Check the Plastic Shape, Not the Number
Just because a plastic item has a recycling triangle doesn't mean it goes in the bin. Hamilton only accepts plastic bottles and jugs where the mouth is smaller than the base (like milk jugs or shampoo bottles). Clamshells and plastic toys are strictly prohibited.
Keep Batteries Out of Bins
Improperly disposed batteries and electronics are severe fire hazards at the recycling plant. Take these items to specialty drop-offs like Best Buy or check butlercountyrecycles.org.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring autumn leaf cleanup, remember that if you want leaves collected as yard waste rather than trash, they must be placed in paper yard bags or dedicated yard waste cans. Drivers will assume plastic bags contain normal garbage.
Winter
December to JanuaryRumpke's collection schedule only pauses for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If these holidays fall on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Spring
March to MayAs spring landscaping begins, brush piles can accumulate quickly. Ensure you limit your yard waste to the strict six container or bundle maximum per week so you don't overwhelm the collection trucks.
About Hamilton Waste Management
Comprehensive Trash and Recycling Services in Hamilton, OH
Keeping the City of Hamilton clean is a cooperative effort between residents and the city's contracted waste hauler, Rumpke. Standard refuse is collected once a week, while recycling operates on a bi-weekly schedule divided into 'Gold' and 'Red' team weeks. Carts should be securely closed and placed at the curb the night before or early morning on your assigned collection day.
Mastering the Single-Stream Recycling Rules
Hamilton utilizes a convenient single-stream recycling system, meaning all your approved recyclables go into one cart without the need to sort paper from plastics. However, this automated sorting technology requires items to be kept loose. You must never place plastic bags in your recycling cart, as they can wrap around and break the sorting machinery at the facility. Stick to cardboard, standard paper, glass bottles, metal cans, and narrow-mouth plastic jugs.
Managing Yard Debris and Brush
Tackling landscaping projects in Butler County is made easier with Hamilton's generous yard waste policies. Rumpke will collect up to six containers or bundles of yard trimmings per week on your regular trash day. You can use your blue trash carts, 35-gallon cans clearly labeled 'Yard Waste,' or compostable paper yard bags. Just remember that green waste placed in plastic garbage bags will be treated as standard trash.
Convenient Bulk Item Pickups
If you are upgrading your furniture or clearing out old mattresses, the city offers weekly bulk pickups right from your curb. Residents are permitted to discard up to two large bulk items every week at no extra cost. To utilize this service, you must call the Municipal Refuse Transfer Station at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the collection and verify preparation requirements.
The Municipal Refuse Transfer Station Advantage
For waste that exceeds the weekly curbside limits, the Municipal Refuse Transfer Station at 1000 N. 3rd Street provides an essential in-town dumping site. While standard drop-offs incur a fee, every utility and refuse customer in Hamilton is eligible to request one free voucher to utilize the transfer station at absolutely no cost for a single load of garbage.
Drop-off Facilities
Municipal Refuse Transfer Station
1000 N. 3rd Street, Hamilton, OH 45011
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if my Hamilton trash cart is lost or stolen?
If your Rumpke-issued cart goes missing, you need to call the Municipal Refuse Transfer Station at 513-867-8661 to get your cart's serial number and a replacement form. Be aware there may be a replacement fee depending on the circumstances.
Can I throw away an old couch with my weekly garbage?
Yes, residential Rumpke customers in Hamilton can dispose of up to two large items, like a couch or mattress, per week. However, you must call 513-867-8661 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the bulk pickup.
Does my yard waste go into a special bin?
You have several options: you can put yard waste inside your regular blue trash carts, place it in a 35-gallon can clearly marked 'Yard Waste,' or use compostable paper yard waste bags. Never put yard clippings into plastic garbage bags.
How do I get an extra recycling cart?
The City of Hamilton encourages recycling. If you regularly have more recyclables than your current cart can hold, you can request an additional recycling cart at no extra charge by calling the Transfer Station at 513-867-8661.