Shreveport's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Shreveport, Louisiana, there are 4 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.

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.

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

Shreveport issues each household a 96-gallon wheeled cart. Set it at the curb no more than ten feet from the street, out by 7 a.m. on collection day, and back off the right-of-way by 10 p.m.

Key details: Cart provided: 96-gallon city-issued wheeled cart. Set-out deadline: 7 a.m. on collection day. Removal deadline: 10 p.m. same day. Distance from curb: Ten feet maximum. Cart limit: Two carts per address.

Code enforcement places a 24-hour correction sticker first. Uncorrected violations draw a misdemeanor citation of $500 for the first offense, $750 for the second and $1,000 for the third 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.