Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kent
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 Green (Republic Cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the Republic Services cart with the lid closed, unless utilizing the approved 'Buy the Bag' program with official municipal bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small wrappers
Blue Cart (Light Blue Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recycling. All containers must be rinsed clean of food or liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Residents can utilize Republic's yard waste services or drop off organic yard materials directly at the Portage County Solid Waste District's dedicated 40-yard dumpster.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available by request
Placement
Schedule the pickup via phone with Republic Services and place the approved items neatly at the curb no earlier than the night before your scheduled bulk pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and bulky furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators (doors removed, Freon extracted)
- ✓ Large appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Large construction or demolition debris
Contact Republic Services (800-247-3644) directly to confirm if your specific item incurs an extra handling fee or is included in your current service tier.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
In a holiday week, each collection day is pushed back by one day. Because normal routes run Monday through Thursday, Friday is utilized as the make-up collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
The CHaRM facility and Solid Waste District offices are completely closed on all federal holidays.
Minor holidays like President's Day or Columbus Day do not impact the Republic Services collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Unbagged is Best
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. The sorting facilities cannot process plastic film, and bagged recyclables are often pulled off the line and sent directly to the landfill. Drop them in loose.
Rinse and Repeat
Make sure all aluminum cans, glass jars, and plastic jugs are thoroughly rinsed out. Sticky residues from peanut butter, sauces, or soda can contaminate clean paper and cardboard streams in the same truck.
Shredded Paper Alert
Loose shredded paper causes chaos at the automated recycling facility because it acts like confetti. Instead of putting it in your curbside bin, utilize the free document shredding days offered at the Kent CHaRM facility.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryLive Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Portage County Solid Waste District's yard waste dumpster during the post-holiday season. Please ensure all lights and ornaments are fully removed.
Spring
April to MayAs you begin spring cleaning, remember that large quantities of yard waste, branches, and brush can be dropped off locally at the 40-yard yard waste dumpster provided by the District.
Autumn
October to NovemberThe City of Kent typically provides an annual residential leaf collection program. Rake leaves to the tree lawn during designated weeks, ensuring they never block storm drains or spill into the roadway.
About Kent Waste Management
Quadrant-Based Weekly Collections
Residential garbage and recycling collections in Kent are systematically structured around a four-quadrant city map. Republic Services operates routes strictly from Monday through Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., dedicating one full day to each specific quadrant. Residents must place their containers at the curb the night before their scheduled service and ensure they are removed by the evening after collection to comply with the city's trash ordinance.
The Innovative 'Buy the Bag' Program
For smaller households or residents who produce minimal waste, the City of Kent offers a highly cost-effective 'Buy the Bag' alternative. Instead of paying a standard quarterly flat rate for a large rolling cart, eligible residents can purchase specially designated trash bags directly from the Kent Finance Office at 319 S. Water Street. These bags are sold in batches of 10 for $3.15 per bag. You must directly confirm this modified service tier with Republic Services before starting.
Portage County CHaRM Facility Access
Kent residents are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Portage County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), conveniently located right in town on Sunnybrook Road. Open weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, this specialized drive-thru facility allows residents to properly dispose of items strictly banned from curbside bins. Acceptable drop-offs include scrap tires, old electronics, appliances containing Freon, used cooking oil, and plastic film.
Holiday Make-Up Days on Fridays
Because regular trash and recycling routes in Kent only operate Monday through Thursday, holiday weeks utilize a unique catch-up schedule. If one of the six major recognized holidays falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day. Friday serves as the ultimate make-up day to clear the Thursday routes, ensuring no weekend collections are necessary.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs
Keeping toxic chemicals out of the local Ohio water table is a priority for the Portage County Solid Waste District. On the first Monday of every month (excluding federal holidays), the CHaRM facility hosts a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste collection event from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Kent residents can safely drop off motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, and lead-acid car batteries during these hours.
Drop-off Facilities
Portage County Solid Waste District CHaRM
4200 Sunnybrook Rd, Kent, OH 44240
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kent's 'Buy the Bag' trash program work?
The 'Buy the Bag' program is for residents who generate very little trash. Instead of a cart, you buy special bags for $3.15 each (sold in lots of 10) at the Kent Finance Office (319 S. Water St). You must confirm this service level with Republic Services before starting.
What time do I need to put my trash out in Kent?
Trash and recycling receptacles should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled quadrant collection day. Collections run between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and all bins must be returned to your home the evening after they are emptied.
How do holidays affect my trash pickup in Kent, Ohio?
If one of the six major holidays (New Year's, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) falls during the week, collection is delayed by one day. Since Kent routes run Monday-Thursday, Friday is used as the make-up day.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste and electronics in Portage County?
Kent residents can use the Portage County CHaRM facility at 4200 Sunnybrook Rd. Standard hard-to-recycle items are accepted Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm, and Household Hazardous Waste is accepted on the first Monday of the month from 2pm-6pm.