Understanding the Trash and Recycling Schedule in Bismarck, North Dakota

Knowing your local trash and recycling schedule is an important part of being a responsible resident. Properly setting out your waste on the correct days ensures that your neighborhood stays clean and minimizes service issues. For residents of Bismarck, North Dakota, we’ll breakdown how trash and recycling collection works in your city.

Residential Trash Collection Overview

The City of Bismarck provides weekly garbage collection for single family homes and duplexes. Pickup occurs Monday through Thursday from 6:00am to 4:30pm. There is no trash collection on official holidays – if your normal pickup falls on or after a holiday, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Some key requirements:

• Garbage carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00am on your designated collection day
• Carts should be accessible and not blocked by vehicles or other objects
• Bag all waste inside the cart – do not overfill
• Extra waste must be in bags placed 3 feet away from cart

Unacceptable items like appliances, hazardous materials, construction debris etc. will not be collected – these must be taken separately to the municipal landfill for disposal fees.

Christmas tree collection occurs for 2 weeks every January – trees must be free of all decorations.

Finding Your Trash Collection Day

To look up your assigned collection day, use the Interactive Garbage and Recycling Map. Simply search for your address – the map will indicate your regular trash day along with recycling schedule.

You can also refer to the annual collection calendar published by the Public Works department. Links to the 2023 Garbage Brochure and 2024 Garbage Brochure are available online. These show the full year schedule at a glance.

Holiday and Inclement Weather Changes

If your regular collection falls on or after an official holiday, pickup will be delayed by 1 day for the rest of the week.

Bismarck holidays that impact service:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Additionally, trash collection may be suspended during severe winter storms or other hazardous conditions. Service will resume once conditions improve and roads are safe to travel.

Monitor the Public Works Facebook and local news for updates on any trash delays or cancellations due to weather.

Recycling Collection Schedule

The City of Bismarck provides biweekly curbside recycling pickup to residences. This occurs on alternating Green and Gold weeks, following the same A-H day schedule as trash collection.

Recycling bins must be placed at the curb by 6:00am on your scheduled day. Materials should be clean, loose and uncagged inside the cart. The following common items are accepted:

• Paper and cardboard
• Plastic bottles and containers
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal food cans and containers
• Milk and juice cartons
• Aluminum cans and foil

Plastic bags, batteries, electronics and other hazardous waste cannot be recycled through curbside pickup. See the recycling guidelines for full details on acceptable materials.

In addition to curbside service, residents can utilize the 24/7 recycling drop off site located at the Bismarck Municipal Landfill.

Contact Information for Trash and Recycling

For billing questions regarding your garbage service, contact the Public Works department:

City of Bismarck Public Works

Phone: (701) 355-1700

Email: Bismarck Public Works

For issues with your recycling pickup or carts, contact the contracted hauler Waste Management:

Waste Management

Phone: (888) 960-0008

Email: Waste Management

Website: Waste Management North Dakota

The municipal landfill and garbage transfer station can also be reached at:

Bismarck Landfill

Phone: (701) 355-1700

Address: 2111 N 52nd St, Bismarck, ND 58501

With the schedules and contacts provided above, Bismarck residents should have no trouble managing trash and recycling collection for their household. Stay up-to-date on any service changes due to weather or holidays that may impact your pickup days. And be sure to properly separate out recyclable materials to reduce waste sent to the landfill.