Knowing your local trash and recycling pickup schedule is key to keeping your neighborhood clean and reducing illegal dumping. This article provides a comprehensive overview of trash and recycling collection in Shawnee County, Kansas to help residents easily access schedule information and dispose of waste properly.
Overview of Shawnee County’s Trash and Recycling Program
Shawnee County provides trash and recycling collection services to residents living in unincorporated parts of the county. The Shawnee County Solid Waste department oversees waste management for over 40,000 households.
Key facts about Shawnee County’s program:
- Provides weekly curbside trash collection using roll carts
- Offers bi-weekly single-stream recycling pickup
- Serves residents living in unincorporated parts of the county
- Manages a landfill and recycling center used by all county residents
- Provides bulky item, yard waste, and hazardous waste disposal
Trash collection is funded through customer fees, while recycling is paid for by the county’s general fund.
Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule
Trash and recycling are collected on set days based on where you live in Shawnee County. Here are the basic schedules:
Trash
- North of 46th Street: Monday
- South of 46th Street: Tuesday and Wednesday
- Trash carts must be placed curbside by 7 AM on pickup day
Recycling
- North of 46th Street: Every other Monday
- South of 46th Street: Every other Tuesday and Wednesday
- Carts should be curbside by 7 AM
Bulky Items/Yard Waste
- Collected on regular trash days
- Must schedule pickup at least 48 hours in advance
Check your personalized collection schedule here.
Holiday Collection Schedule
Shawnee County suspends trash and recycling collection on major holidays. If the holiday falls on your normal collection day, pickup is delayed by one day that week.
Here are the observed holidays that impact the collection schedule:
- New Year’s Day – January 2, 2023
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16, 2023
- Memorial Day – May 29, 2023
- Juneteenth – June 19, 2023
- Independence Day – July 4, 2023
- Labor Day – September 4, 2023
- Veterans Day – November 10, 2023
- Thanksgiving – November 23-24, 2023
- Christmas – December 25-26, 2023
View the official 2023 holiday schedule.
On holiday weeks, bulky items and yard waste are NOT collected. Plan accordingly if you have large items to dispose of around holidays.
Trash Guidelines and Regulations
Following Shawnee county’s trash policies ensures collection runs smoothly and protects the environment. Keep these rules in mind:
- All trash must be bagged – no loose trash
- Place cart at curb edge with lid opening toward street
- Carts cannot weigh over 275 pounds
- Do not place bulky items or yard waste in carts
- Hazardous materials cannot be disposed of as trash
- Cart lids must be fully closed
- Carts must be 3 feet away from other objects
- Limit 2 carts per household without approval
There are also restrictions on what can be thrown away as bulk items:
✅ Accepted: Furniture, appliances, mattresses
❌ Not Accepted: Tires, car parts, construction debris
Recycling Tips and Rules
Recycling properly reduces contamination and ensures materials get processed efficiently. Follow these basic guidelines:
- No plastic bags – empty recyclables directly into cart
- Do not bag or tie recyclables together
- Empty and rinse all containers
- No food or liquid should remain in containers
- Do not include non-recyclable items like hoses or clothes
- Keep lid closed to prevent blowing litter
- Place 3 feet away from trash cart
Check here for a full list of accepted recyclable items.
Hazardous Waste and Special Item Disposal
Shawnee County has specific disposal programs for hazardous household chemicals, batteries, electronics, and other items that require special handling.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- Location: 801 NE Hwy 24, Topeka
- Accepts chemicals, oils, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, more
- Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the 2nd Saturday each month
- Must schedule drop-off appointment
Tire Recycling
- Maximum 10 tires per appointment
- Drop off at Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- $2 fee per tire
Electronic Waste
- TVs, computers, phones, printers, DVD players, etc.
- Drop off at Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- Fees range from $5-$30 per item
Review hazardous waste disposal instructions before delivery.
Missed Collections and Complaints
If your trash or recycling is missed during regular collection, contact Shawnee County Solid Waste to schedule pickup:
- Call 785-233-4774
- Email [email protected]
- Provide address and details on missed collection
The department also accepts comments and complaints about service issues:
- Report problems with carts or containers
- Notify them about missed collections
- Request repairs or extra cleanups if needed
Changing Service Levels
Moving or need a different size trash cart? Shawnee County Solid Waste can help:
- Complete the Service Change Form to upgrade cart size
- You can also downgrade to a smaller cart if needed
- Contact them to cancel service if moving out of the county
Essential Contact Information
Keep these contacts handy for any questions about your Shawnee County trash and recycling service:
Shawnee County Solid Waste
- Website: www.snco.us/sw
- Phone: 785-233-4774
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1515 NW Saline St, Suite 225, Topeka, KS 66618
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- Phone: 785-233-4774
- Address: 801 NE Highway 24, Topeka, KS 66608
Recap of Key Takeaways
- Trash collection day depends on your location north or south of 46th Street
- Recycling is picked up every other week based on your trash day
- Major holidays delay collection by one day that week
- Special handling required for hazardous chemicals, tires, electronics
- Contact Solid Waste to resolve any service issues or change carts
By understanding Shawnee County’s waste and recycling programs, you can ensure trash is disposed of properly. Use this article as a reference to access schedule information and collection guidelines needed to keep your neighborhood clean.
Reference
https://www.snco.us/sw/image/content/holiday_schedule_2023.pdf
https://www.snco.us/sw/