Trash & Recycling Update

Published on June 03, 2022

The Unified Government (UG) remains committed to working with Waste Management on improving residential trash and recycling services. This includes

• route changes to balance and improve service in 2019
• Adjusting payments based on community growth
• providing direct access to our 3-1-1 service to facilitate issue complaint resolution

Staffing continues to be a challenge for organizations across the country, and while the UG will work with Waste Management to ensure you receive the service you pay for and deserve, here are a few tips you can use to reduce missed trash or recycling collection:

1. Make sure you put your trash and recycling at the curb or street edge by 7 AM
   • Putting your trash out on time helps prevent it from being missed, and you can put it out as early as 4 PM the day before your pick up.
2. Put your trash and recycling in containers
   • Put your trash and recycling in sealed containers whenever possible. Doing this helps speed up the collection process by making it easier to handle for drivers, and it keeps your items from blowing around the neighborhood if it’s knocked over
3. Bundle sticks and branches

• Branches and sticks should be tied in bundles 4-feet or less in length and weigh no more than 50 lbs.

1. Avoid bulky items
   • Avoid putting bulky items out for collection. Bulky item collection takes time and slows everything down. The longer it takes a driver to collect your items, the longer it takes them to pick up items at your neighbor’s house.
2. Call ahead for large items
   • Large items like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditions are only picked up if you call (913) 631-3300 and request pick up in advance.
3. Wrap your mattresses
   • You are encouraged to wrap that old mattress in clear plastic to help protect drivers from things like bed bugs and lice.
4. Don’t report missed collection to Waste Management
   • Always report service issues by calling 3-1-1 or visiting mywyco.wycokck.org. Using these services allows Public Works to follow up directly with Waste Management and ensure your missed items are recovered.
5. Leave it at the curb – don’t bring it back in!
   • Recovering your missed items can take a day or two. Leave your items at the curb or street edge until they are recovered. Bringing your missed trash or recycling back into your garage or placing it on the side of your house can result in it being missed again.
6. Be patient

• We know missed trash and recycling collection is frustrating, and Public Works’ Solid Waste team is committed to working with Waste Management on ways to keep it from happening.

To read about Solid Waste Management, find your trash day, or learn more about recycling, yard waste, or hazardous material disposal, visit wycokck.org/waste.