Trash & Recycling in New Orleans, LA

If you live in New Orleans or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. New Orleans has 9 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Illegal Dumping

New Orleans treats illegal dumping as a vehicle-forfeiture offense: any motor vehicle used to dump or haul illegally dumped material is impounded and subject to forfeiture, with a $5,000 fine for dumping into the drainage system alone.

Key details: Drainage dumping fine: $5,000.00 per violation. First offense: vehicle impounded, subject to forfeiture. Repeat offense: mandatory vehicle forfeiture. De minimis exception: waste under 5 pounds exempt. Hearing appeal path: Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

A first illegal-dumping conviction under section 66-283.5(i)(1) results in seizure and possible forfeiture of the vehicle used, releasable only on payment of section 66-282 fines/penalties plus towing, storage and hearing costs. A second or subsequent conviction under 66-283.5(i)(2)-(3) results in mandatory seizure and forfeiture of the vehicle plus all associated fines, towing, storage, disposal/cleanup and processing costs. Separately, construction-site drainage dumping under section 66-281.1(b) carries a flat $5,000.00 fine per violation.

This is one of the stricter rules in New Orleans's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Recycling Rules

Recycling service in New Orleans carries its own charge under § 138-63, $1.00 a month for residential units and offices, $2.00 for commercial/industrial/manufacturing accounts, billed with the sanitation fee, though the ordinance itself has suspended collection of that charge since September 1, 2005 until recycling collection resumes.

Key details: Residential recycling fee: $1.00/month. Commercial/industrial recycling fee: $2.00/month. Senior/low-income exemption: 12 months, renewable. Late payment penalty: 10% added to charge. Private-hauler exemption requirement: 25% waste-reduction goal.

An unpaid recycling charge under § 138-63(f) draws a ten percent penalty added to the amount due on the water/sewerage bill's due date. Falsely certifying eligibility for a low-income or private-hauler exemption under § 138-63(c)–(e) exposes the applicant to the sworn-statement requirements of that subsection and potential loss of the exemption.

Dumpster Rules

City Code § 146-584 requires a Department of Public Works permit before placing a dumpster or trash container in the public right-of-way, with a $40 application fee, $10/day curb-space charge, and a 45-day renewable permit term.

Key details: Governing sections: City Code §§ 146-584 to 146-586. Issuing agency: Department of Public Works. Application fee: $40.00, non-refundable. Unmetered curb-space fee: $10.00 per day. Permit term: 45 days, renewable.

Placing an unpermitted dumpster in the right-of-way exposes the owner or responsible party to a fine of up to $500.00 per citation and mandatory removal by the city under § 146-586; fines are appealable under the Chapter 154 process. Permitted dumpsters missing required identification or safety markers can also be cited under § 146-585.

Yard Waste Collection

New Orleans bans yard waste, tree branches and shrubbery from roll carts under § 138-44, routing it instead through the bulky-waste program in § 138-43: bundled limbs under four feet long and 12 inches thick, and bagged leaves, weeds or grass, each capped at 50 pounds, with a six-bundle/bag limit per regular pickup or 15 on an on-call collection.

Key details: Yard waste in roll carts: Prohibited (§ 138-44). Tree limb size limit: Under 4 ft, 12 in diameter. Limb bundle weight cap: 50 lbs per bundle. Bundles per regular pickup: 6 (15 on-call). Bagged yard waste weight cap: 50 lbs per bag.

Yard waste placed loose in a roll cart, or brush/clippings that exceed § 138-43(g)'s size, weight or bundle-count limits, isn't eligible for collection and becomes the resident's responsibility to remove at their own expense under § 138-43(i). Sections 138-43 and 138-44 both fall under the § 138-37 penalty schedule: at least $150 for a first conviction, rising to $500 or jail time for a third.

Collection Schedule

New Orleans bills mandatory monthly sanitation service through the Sewerage & Water Board under § 138-57: $24.00 for each residential unit, $24.00 for a business/professional office, and $48.00 for a commercial, industrial or manufacturing establishment. Nonpayment can lead to water service being shut off at the city's direction.

Key details: Residential monthly fee: $24.00 per unit. Business/office monthly fee: $24.00 per unit. Commercial/industrial monthly fee: $48.00 per unit. Billed through: Sewerage & Water Board account. Late penalty: 15% of outstanding balance.

Nonpayment of the mandatory § 138-57 sanitation charge draws a 15 percent penalty on the outstanding balance and can lead to termination of water service to the delinquent property under La. R.S. 33:4169.1, after mailed notice. The city may also refer unpaid accounts to a private attorney, law firm or collection agency to pursue the debt.

This is one of the stricter rules in New Orleans's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Section 138-39 spells out what New Orleans residents can't do with a cart once it's out for pickup: no loose, uncontained trash, no vandalizing or removing cart lids, no overfilling past the rim, and no digging through or disturbing contents after set-out. Owners and occupants stay responsible for keeping their premises and adjoining alleys clean.

Key details: Loose trash outside cart: Unlawful under § 138-39. Overfilling cart past rim: Prohibited. Scavenging/disturbing set-out trash: Prohibited. Sidewalk cleanliness (businesses): Owner/manager responsibility. First-offense penalty: $150 minimum fine.

A violation of § 138-39 is punished under the same § 138-37 schedule as other collection offenses: a fine of at least $150 for a first conviction, at least $250 for a second, and at least $500 or five to ninety days' imprisonment, or both, for a third or later offense. Sanitation-department employees deputized by the superintendent of police can issue citations directly.

Recycling Requirements

New Orleans bills a monthly recycling service charge on the water bill, $1.00 for residences and offices, $2.00 for commercial/industrial sites, with exemptions for seniors, low-income households and verified private recycling contracts.

Key details: Residential recycling fee: $1.00 per month. Commercial/industrial fee: $2.00 per month. Late-payment penalty: 10% added to bill. Senior/low-income exemption: 12 months, renewable. Private-program exemption requires: 25% waste-reduction goal.

Missing the recycling-charge due date on the water/sewerage bill under section 138-63(f) adds a ten percent penalty to the amount owed. Unauthorized removal of recyclables placed for collection is separately punishable under section 66-288(c): $50.00–$500.00 for bin theft/unauthorized use, $10.00–$500.00 per offense for scavenging on foot, and $250.00–$500.00 plus at least one seven-hour day of solid-waste-remediation community service for organized (vehicle-assisted) scavenging.

Bin Placement Rules

New Orleans requires every eligible home and small business to use a city-owned roll cart under Code of Ordinances § 138-38: 35-gallon carts inside the French Quarter and Downtown Development District, 96-gallon carts everywhere else. The cart stays city property; using it is mandatory unless the Department of Sanitation grants a written exemption.

Key details: Cart size, standard areas: 96 gallons. Cart size, French Quarter/DDD: 35 gallons. Cart ownership: Property of the City of New Orleans. Exemption authority: Dept. of Sanitation, written request. First-offense fine: $150 minimum (§ 138-37).

Violating cart-related sections including § 138-38 triggers the penalty schedule in § 138-37: a first conviction draws a fine of at least $150, a second at least $250, and a third or later conviction at least $500 or five to ninety days imprisonment, or both. Owners, occupants and commercial haulers can all be charged. The superintendent of police may deputize Department of Sanitation employees with citation authority to enforce these sections directly.

Bulk Item Disposal

New Orleans collects normal residential bulky waste once a week, on the second regular collection day, or by on-call request through 311 for larger loads, under § 138-43. Eligible items include furniture, appliances, white goods, up to four tires, and bundled tree limbs, but loads over ten cubic yards or unbundled/oversized items are a violation.

Key details: Standard bulky pickup frequency: Once weekly, 2nd collection day. FQ/DDD bulky pickup day: Wednesdays only. On-call scheduling: Call/email provider or 311. Tree limb bundle limit: 50 lbs, 6 bundles/regular pickup. Tire limit: 4 tires per collection.

Placing unacceptable items, loads exceeding ten cubic yards, or improperly bundled/placed bulky waste violates § 138-43(i), and the responsible party must remove and dispose of it at their own expense. Section 138-43 is also enforced under the § 138-37 penalty ladder: at least $150 for a first conviction, $250 for a second, and $500 or five to ninety days in jail for a third or later offense.

The Bottom Line

New Orleans is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in New Orleans, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that New Orleans can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.