Refuse & Recycling

• Bowling Green's Red Hot Recycle Box
• Bowling Green's Cool Blue Recycle Box

City Of Bowling Green
Solid Waste Collection Regulations

1. WASTE MATERIALS including recyclables, garbage, and refuse will be collected from 1 & 2 family dwellings once a week at the curb.  See map for your waste district. (Link)
2. RECYCLABLES AND REFUSE SHALL BE PLACED CURBSIDE
   NO SOONER THAN 5:00 P.M. the day prior, but NO LATER THAN 7:00 A.M. on your collection day. NOTE: Refuse placed curbside before 5:00 P.M. the day prior to collection subjects occupants to citations for littering! The city cannot guarantee pickup of items placed curbside after 7:00 A.M. All containers must be removed from rights-of-way within 24 hrs. following day of collection. Failure to follow these regulations are subject to fine.
3. HOLIDAY SCHEDULES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS are announced in the local media. Be sure to watch for special item collection and for any changes in the pickup schedule that may occur due to inclement weather.
4. DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO KEEP anywhere near the trash containers. It will be considered rubbish and taken away.

Acceptable Trash Containers

1. WASTE MATERIALS shall be placed in a City provided waste container. If you have any questions regarding this requirement please call 419-354-6227. Additional Waste Containers may be purchased through the City at the expense of the owner.

Prohibited Waste Items

1. THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL WILL NOT BE COLLECTED: Dead animals, grass, sod, and related yard waste, hot ashes or burning embers, rocks or large stones; construction and/or demolition materials; flammable liquids; paint; poisonous or explosive substances other than garbage, refuse, and rubbish. NOTE: The City cannot pickup any appliance that contains refrigerants! These items include refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners. Please call 419-354-6227 for a list of local dealers who are certified to provide this service.
2. GRASS, GARDEN WASTE AND HEDGE TRIMMINGS will NOT be picked up curbside. You may take these items to the City drop-off site located behind the Public Works garage on Tarragon Drive off of East Poe Road. The site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Materials Requiring Special Handling

1. LARGE CARDBOARD BOXES: Corrugated boxes may be recycled by collapsing and taking them to the Recycling Center.

Special Collections Recycling

1. RECYCLABLE MATERIALS consisting of dry newspaper, (placed in paper grocery bags); glass jars and bottles; steel and aluminum food and beverage cans; plastic milk and water jugs; and plastic pop and     detergent bottles are to be put in your RED RECYCLE BOX and placed curbside, a few feet from the rest of your refuse on your regular collection day. For specific recycling information and a RED RECYCLE BOX,  please call 419-354-6227, or pick up these items from the Public Works Department at 304 N. Church Street.

Large Item Refuse

1. BULK OR LARGE ITEMS such as furniture, stoves, TV's, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, etc. will be picked up by the city three (3) times per year. One week in May, August, and December will be set aside for curbside pickup of those items. The week will coincide with the academic calendar year at B.G.S.U. (watch your newspaper for the exact date). Special pickup of these items at any other time of the year can be made upon request for a fee PER EACH ITEM. Remember: refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners WILL NOT BE PICKED UP by the City.
2. CARPETING AND PADDING must be cut up and rolled into bundles not to exceed 4 feet in length or 18 inches in diameter. Bundles must be tied with rope or cord heavy enough to support the weight of the bundle.
3. SWING SETS will be picked up curbside, but they must be broken down and dismantled for collection and will be accepted only during Bulk or Large Item Collection.

Yard Waste

1. GRASS is prohibited from the County Landfill; therefore it will NOT be picked up by City crews. The City encourages residents to either mulch, compost, or leave grass clippings on the lawn. The City provides a drop-off site for grass disposal behind the Public Works garage on Tarragon Drive off of East Poe Road. Flowers and garden waste may also be disposed of with the grass.
2. CHRISTMAS TREES are picked up through a special collection in January. The trees should be placed curbside on your regular collection day. Please remove all metal nails and the stands. Watch the local media for details.
3. UNLIMITED TREE OR BRUSH COLLECTION will be provided in late April and again in October. For this special collection, tree limbs and brush may be placed curbside for pickup by the City's crews. Storms, however, may require additional collections throughout the year. Notice of any additional pickups will be announced in the local media. Wood chips from brush chipping are available at no charge to the public by telephoning 419-354-6227.
4. SEEDS FROM MAPLE TREES (helicopters), nuts, buckeyes and the like are considered garbage and may be land-filled. Please place these items curbside for regular pickup.

Refuse & Recycling will be collected by Districts:

District I - Monday
District II - Tuesday
District III - Wednesday
District IV - Thursday
District V - Friday

*Please Note:

The City collects refuse and recyclables from 1 & 2 family dwelling units within the City's limits. The City does NOT collect waste from business, commercial, industrial or institutional units; nor from private residential communities, B.G.S.U., apartments and mobile homes.