Shreveport's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Shreveport, Louisiana, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dumpster Rules

Shreveport treats loud garbage-dumpster loading as a declared noise nuisance. Under Sec. 58-46, hauling vehicles cannot dump or load a dumpster between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. within 150 feet of any dwelling in a residential zoning district, and the ban reaches owners, corporate officers and property possessors alike.

Key details: Restricted hours: 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Residential buffer: 150 feet of any dwelling. Liable parties: Owner, corporate officer, property possessor. Adopted: Ord. No. 190, 1989; Ord. No. 115, 1990.

A violation of the 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. residential buffer is a misdemeanor under Chapter 58's general noise-article penalties. Liability can attach to the truck's owner, lessor or possessor, to a corporate officer, director, manager, agent or employee who allowed the violation, and to any property owner or occupant who permitted the loading to occur on their premises, so a citation isn't limited to the driver alone.

Yard Waste Collection

Shreveport residents set tree limbs, grass clippings, garden waste and shrubbery at the curb before the scheduled pickup day, and every load must be containerized under Code of Ordinances section 74-30(a). Oversized branches don't qualify for weekly service: anything over eight inches thick or six feet long needs a separate bulk appointment under section 74-32.

Key details: Governing section: § 74-30(a), Code of Ordinances. Container rule: Must be containerized, not piled loose. Oversized limbs: Over 8 in. or 6 ft. needs bulk appointment. Cart pickup deadline: Empty containers removed by 10 p.m.. Enforcement: 24-hour notice before citation, § 74-33.

Section 74-33 makes noncompliance a citable offense, but the city gives notice first: a 24-hour sticker or placard goes on the noncompliant pile identifying the problem, and the owner or occupant has 24 hours to fix it before a citation and penalty attach. Ignore the sticker and the fine follows under subsection 74-57(b); each day the yard waste sits out uncontainerized keeps the clock running against you.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Shreveport collects household garbage once a week from a 96-gallon cart on the route day set by the city's collection map. Curbside recycling is suspended. A $7 monthly fee rides on the water and sewer bill.

Key details: Cadence: Once per week per route. Find your day: Route map on city garbage page. Set-out time: Curbside before 7 a.m.. Monthly fee: $7 on water and sewer bill. Recycling: Suspended since October 2020.

Noncompliance draws a 24-hour correction sticker. Failure to correct brings a misdemeanor citation of $500, rising to $750 and $1,000 for repeat offenses within twelve months, with each day a separate offense.

Recycling Requirements

Shreveport runs no curbside recycling. The city suspended the program in October 2020 after its hauler contract and the local processing facility both ended, and it delivers no new recycling carts.

Key details: Program status: Curbside recycling suspended. Suspended since: October 2020. Recycling carts: None delivered or repaired. Hazardous waste: Shreveport Green, 318-219-1888. Code still on books: Sec. 74-31, unrepealed.

No resident faces a penalty for not recycling while the program is suspended. Damaging or removing a city recycling cart without consent remains a Chapter 74 violation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Shreveport gives residents more flexibility on recycling requirements.

Bin Placement Rules

The city issues each residence one wheeled cart of up to 96 gallons for weekly collection plus a 64-gallon recycling cart. Carts go out no earlier than 24 hours before pickup and must be off the right-of-way by 10:00 p.m.

Key details: City cart size: Up to 96 gallons. Earliest set-out: 24 hours before collection. Morning deadline: Out before 7:00 a.m.. Bring cart in by: 10:00 p.m. collection day. Second cart fee: $50.00 one-time, two carts max.

Enforcement places a 24-hour notice sticker on the noncompliant item. If it is not corrected, the owner or occupant faces a citation and a $500.00 first-offense fine, each day a separate offense.

Illegal Dumping

Shreveport bans dumping dirt, rubbish or any waste, liquid or solid, on any public way, in any river, canal, drain or sewer, or anywhere it could wash into one, under Code of Ordinances section 58-132(a). Violators face a fine up to $1,000.00 or ten days in jail under section 58-118, enforced by public works and the police department.

Key details: Governing section: § 58-132(a), Code of Ordinances. Max fine: $1,000.00, § 58-118. Max jail: 10 days, or both fine and jail. Enforcing agencies: Public works and police department. Continuing offense: Each day is a separate violation.

A conviction under section 58-132 carries a fine up to $1,000.00 or up to ten days in jail, or both, under section 58-118, with court-approved community service (up to four eight-hour days) offered in lieu of jail. Each day the dumped material remains is treated as a new offense, and the city can separately bill or lien the property for its cleanup costs under sections 58-119 and 58-120.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Shreveport actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

Bulk Item Disposal

Bulk pickup in Shreveport is by appointment only through Public Works. One pile per request, capped at 15 feet long by 6 feet wide and 6 feet high. Building materials, stumps and gas-powered tools are refused.

Key details: How to schedule: Call 318-673-6300 or Report A Concern. Pile limit: One pile, 15 x 6 x 6 feet. Tire limit: Four tires per appointment. Not collected: Building materials, stumps, gas tools. Set-out window: 24 hours ahead; brush seven days.

Improperly set or excluded piles get a 24-hour correction notice. Uncorrected items draw a citation carrying $500, then $750 and $1,000 for repeat offenses within twelve months.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport'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 Shreveport is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Shreveport's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.