Garbage Guidelines

The City of Cincinnati Department of Public Services (DPS) provides weekly garbage collection and scheduled bulk items collection for residential buildings that meet the definition of "dwelling," as adopted by Ord. No. 41-2013.

From spring to fall, DPS also provides a bi-weekly yard waste service concurrent with the recycling service. The Office of Environmental Quality provides bi-weekly recycling collection for The City of Cincinnati. Each resident is assigned a collection day (Monday to Thursday) and a recycling-yard waste week.

The City of Cincinnati Department of Public Services (DPS) provides weekly garbage, bi-weekly yard waste and scheduled bulk items collection for buildings that meet the following definition of "dwelling," as adopted by Ord. No. 41-2013:

"Dwelling" as used in Chapter 729 shall mean a building that contains no more than four dwelling units and shall include an attached single-family dwelling. "Dwelling" does not include any of the following: (i) a building that contains any combination of business and residential uses other than a business use that is a home occupation as defined in CMC Section 1401-01-H3 and that meets the requirements of CMC Section 1419-17; or (ii) any building owned by a political subdivision of the state of Ohio or a federal or state agency, regardless of the number of dwelling units contained in the building.

"Dwelling unit" means one or more rooms with a single kitchen designed for occupancy by one family for living and sleeping purposes. (CMC Section 1401-01-D15). "Attached single-family dwelling" means a dwelling unit that is attached to one or more dwelling units, each with independent exterior access and each with no less than two exterior walls. Attached single-family dwellings include cluster housing. (CMC Section 1401-01-A12).

All other dwelling units are considered commercial entities. All commercial entities are required to enter into a contract with a City of Cincinnati registered waste hauler for the disposal of their waste. Proof of such contract (also known as "certificate of commercial waste collection contract") need to be provided upon request by the Director of the Department of Public Services or his/her designee.

Garbage must be placed in a City-issued or "City-approved" cart. A "City-approved" cart is one that is compatible with DPS lifting equipment and registered with the City. These carts must have a lift pocket and a steel lower lift bar for fully automated and semi-automated collection systems. Garbage in carts is not to exceed 75 lbs. DPS is not responsible for damages to cart due to normal collection operation. The City of Cincinnati will not collect garbage in a cart that is not compatible with the City's lifting equipment and not registered with the City of Cincinnati.

If residents need additional carts in addition to or to replace a City-issued cart, they will have to purchase additional carts compatible with DPS lifting equipment. These carts must have a lift pocket and a steel lower lift bar for fully automated and semi-automated collection systems. Each cart will need to be registered with DPS, by calling 513-591-6000.

You may also go online to www.5916000.com by following these directions:

Click Request a Service button

button Step 1: enter your address location

Click NEXT

Step 2: Service Type - I need help with: Trash, Litter & Recycling

Specifically: Trash Cart, registration

From there, you are able to submit answers to requested information and provide your contact information.

The City of Cincinnati will not collect garbage in a cart that is not compatible with the City’s lifting equipment and not registered with the City of Cincinnati.

After registration, DPS will send the resident a City sticker to be placed on the cart for collection. The sticker identifies the cart to DPS crew as a cart eligible for residential collection. Stolen carts, broken carts, missing carts and carts for new residents are all the responsibility of the home owner/landlord to purchase.

Household garbage

Sawdust (only if placed in a sealed bag)

Hypodermic needles and sharps (only if placed in a rigid container with lid before it is placed in the cart and marked "sharps")

Paint cans that have the lid removed and the paint dried out.

Carpet can be placed in the cart if it fits inside the cart with the lid closed

Up to 3 items that do not fit in the cart that are less than 40 lbs. and no larger than 3' x 2' x 2' can be placed next to the garbage carts for collection by the crews. If the item exceeds these dimensions. it must be schedule for bulky collection.

Exemption from using Carts can be granted for a variety of reasons, including disability, topography (access through long stairs), or lack of storage space for the cart.

To request an application for a "Cart Exemption," please call 591-6000.

You may also go online to www.5916000.com by following these directions:

Click Request a Service button

button Step 1: enter your address location

Click NEXT

Step 2: Service Type - I need help with: Trash, Litter & Recycling

Specifically: Trash Cart, exemption

From there, you are able to submit answers to requested information and provide your contact information.

Residents with cart exemptions are asked to set out their garbage the day of collection by 6 a.m.. An exemption allows residents to use up to 8 plastic bags. Plastic bags have to be heavy-duty (3 mil.) and weigh less than 25 pounds when full. Cardboard or paper containers, light-duty plastic bags, and grocery bags are not proper containers.

Garbage carts, yard waste containers, scheduled bulk items and recycling carts should be placed at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on collection day but no earlier than 5 p.m. the previous day. Please avoid placing the carts around any obstructions, mailboxes, low-hanging wires etc., and avoid parking in front of cart on collection day. Residents with cart exemptions (see above) are required to set out their garbage the day of collection by 6 a.m. Residents are responsible for potential mess caused by wildlife and vandalism when garbage is set out improperly, or when setting out garbage under the cart exemption clause.

Garbage carts must be removed from the curb by midnight on the day of collection.

NON-hazardous (for these items, contact City of Cincinnati registered waste hauler):

Car parts

Construction debris

Automotive, truck, car, motorcycle or lawn mower parts

Pianos

Wall/Kitchen cabinets

Concrete items

Windows and siding

Construction debris which includes nominal lumber (1x2s, 2x4s, 2x6s, 4x4 etc)

Hazardous (for these items, contact Hamilton County Solid Waste):

Car batteries

Liquid paint

Acids

Motor oil

Household chemicals

Hazardous or infections waste

Propane or other pressurized gas tanks

The City of Cincinnati provides Street Cans (also known as Corner Cans) in some areas with high pedestrian traffic. These cans are for pedestrian garbage only, defined as garbage generated while walking. Disposing household or business garbage in these cans is strictly prohibited and could result in fines.