How Anderson Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Anderson maintains 101 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Anderson falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Illegal Dumping

It is unlawful in Anderson to place or leave litter, refuse or trash on any real property except in a container provided for refuse. Illegal dumping is also littering under Indiana law, a Class B infraction.

Key details: City rule: No dumping on any real property. Section: Anderson Code § 94.31. State law: IC 35-45-3-2 littering. State penalty: Class B infraction. Enforcer: Environmental Nuisance Control.

Illegal dumping is a city nuisance violation and, under IC 35-45-3-2, a Class B infraction (up to a $1,000 judgment); offenders also pay cleanup and court costs.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Anderson provides weekly curbside trash pickup by day and route, with co-mingled recycling collected every other week on the same day. Set trash out the night before, and only trash inside the cart is collected.

Key details: Trash pickup: Weekly, by route/day. Set out: Night before collection. Recycling: Every other week, same day. Hauler: Best Way Disposal. No-service days: Christmas, New Year's Day.

Trash placed outside the cart (other than Heavy Pick-Up items) is left uncollected; overflow requires separate arrangements with the hauler.

Recycling Requirements

Anderson provides co-mingled curbside recycling every other week via Best Way Disposal, with a cart and calendar supplied. Accepted materials include all types of plastic, glass, cardboard, paper and metal cans.

Key details: Frequency: Every other week. Type: Co-mingled (single cart). Hauler: Best Way Disposal. Accepted: Plastic, glass, cardboard, paper, metal. Contact: 765-649-7272.

Contaminated or non-accepted materials may cause a cart to be left; there is no separate recycling fine, but overflow trash outside carts is not collected.

Bin Placement Rules

Anderson carts must sit within 4 feet of the curb, wheels away from the street and lid arrows pointing to the street, separated 3 feet from each other and from cars, mailboxes and trees so the truck can reach them.

Key details: From curb: Within 4 feet. Wheels: Away from the street. Lid arrows: Pointing to the street. Cart spacing: 3 feet apart. From obstacles: 3 feet clear.

Carts blocked by vehicles or placed too close to obstacles may be skipped by the automated truck; the resident is responsible for clear placement.

Bulk Item Disposal

Anderson offers Heavy Pick-Up the day after your trash day for furniture and most appliances. Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners with Freon, plus remodeling and move-in/out debris, are not covered.

Key details: Heavy Pick-Up: Day after trash day. Accepted: Furniture and appliances. Excluded: Freon fridges, freezers, ACs. Not covered: Remodeling / move-out debris. Extra trash: Arrange with Best Way.

Non-covered items (Freon appliances, remodeling debris, move-out trash) left at the curb are not collected and may become a nuisance subject to enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Anderson's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Anderson is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Anderson's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.