Trash & Recycling in Anchorage, AK (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Anchorage, Alaska, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Anchorage restricts when trash containers can be set out for pickup: bear-resistant containers up to 12 hours early, other containers only the morning of collection, and all must be pulled back in by 9:00 p.m. the same day.
Anchorage Trash Container Pickup Timing
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.110.040(D)-(E)
Locked bear-resistant trash containers may be placed for pick up no more than 12 hours prior to the day of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. E. All other trash containers shall be placed for pick up the morning of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. This provision shall not apply to temporary construction dumpsters. F. When n...
Bin Placement Rules
Anchorage limits how early trash carts go to the curb and how long they can sit out, with a shorter window for locked bear-resistant containers.
Anchorage Trash Cart Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.110.040
D. Locked bear-resistant trash containers may be placed for pick up no more than 12 hours prior to the day of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. E. All other trash containers shall be placed for pick up the morning of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. F. When not set out for collection, trash containers shall be stored inside a st...
Bulk Item Disposal
Anchorage's Solid Waste Services does not haul away furniture, appliances or other bulky items in a standard cart for free. Under AMC 26.70.060, customers with excess or oversized refuse pay a $12.50 per-pickup charge plus the greater of $2.50 per bag or can, or the current disposal rate by volume, with a one-cubic-yard minimum.
Anchorage Bulky Item Pickup: $12.50 Plus Fee
Some RestrictionsAMC 26.70.060.B.2.a, B.3.i-j
a. Cans or bags in excess of the weekly limit will be collected and billed to the customer at a charge of $2.50 per can or bag. Larger bulk items will be charged at the current disposal charge based on cubic yardage with a minimum of one cubic yard (set by section 26.80.050A.2 and A.3). ... i. Customers with excess or oversized refuse shall be charged $12.50 per pickup plus the greater of eithe...
Recycling Requirements
Anchorage's Solid Waste Services gives every residential refuse customer one recycling roll cart free of charge under AMC 26.70.070.A.1, run alongside weekly trash pickup. Put the wrong material in it, though, and SWS can tag the cart, dump the contaminated load as regular trash, and bill the account $30.00 under subsection A.3.
Anchorage Curbside Recycling Cart Rules
Some RestrictionsAMC 26.70.070.A.1, A.3
1. SWS shall provide one roll cart container for the collection of recyclable materials free of charge when used in combination with residential refuse service. The roll carts shall be unique in color or labeling such that refuse collection and recyclable collection are readily distinguishable. The customer is responsible for cleaning roll carts. 3. Customers will be provided with a list of acc...
Illegal Dumping
Anchorage bans dumping, throwing, or scattering solid or liquid waste on any public or private property, street, alley, ditch, or drain, with civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation under the municipal nuisance code.
Anchorage Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsAMC 15.20.020(B)(6)(a)
No person shall deposit, dump, abandon, throw, scatter or transport solid or liquid waste in any manner as to cause the littering of any public or private property, street, alley, ditch, drain, watercourse or gutter. b. No person shall operate, drive, cause or permit to be driven or operated any motor vehicle carrying solid or liquid waste unless such motor vehicle is constructed, loaded and...
Yard Waste Collection
Anchorage's Clean Air Ordinance bans backyard burning of brush, leaves, and yard waste; disposal is allowed only through a permitted commercial air curtain combustion system, not a residential burn barrel or open pile.
Anchorage Bans Backyard Yard-Waste Burning
Heavy RestrictionsAMC 15.30.080
Within the boundaries of the municipality no person shall cause, suffer, permit or allow any open burning except the following unless otherwise prohibited by law: ... The burning of combustible construction debris, trees, brush and other vegetative matter is allowed in a commercial air curtain combustion system properly operated and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications, pro...
Dumpster Rules
Anchorage gives temporary construction dumpsters, those rented for under 90 days, a pass on most trash-container rules, but AMC 15.110.040(G) still bans leaving any container in the public right-of-way or yard setback unless it is securely closed.
Anchorage Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.110.030, 15.110.040
"Temporary construction dumpster" means a dumpster rented or leased for less than 90 days for temporary use in collecting residential or commercial construction debris, yard waste, or other non-putrescible solid wastes. ... F. When not set out for collection, trash containers shall be stored inside a structure or within five feet of the principal (main) structure. This provision shall not apply...
Collection Schedule
Anchorage sets exact curbside windows for trash carts: standard carts go out only the morning of collection and come back by 9 p.m., while locked bear-resistant carts can be set out up to 12 hours early.
Anchorage Trash Cart Set-Out and Pickup Times
Some RestrictionsAMC 15.110.040(D)-(E)
D. Locked bear-resistant trash containers may be placed for pick up no more than 12 hours prior to the day of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. E. All other trash containers shall be placed for pick up the morning of collection and retrieved not later than 9:00 p.m. of the same day. This provision shall not apply to temporary construction dumpsters. F. W...
Recycling Rules
Anchorage's zoning code puts recycling drop-off sites near homes on a curfew: within 200 feet of a residential district no collection may happen between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., sites adjacent to residential districts need a screening fence, and a glass-collecting site inside that same 200 foot band must close entirely overnight.
Anchorage Recycling Drop-Off Site Rules
Some RestrictionsAMC 21.05.060E.7
Recycling drop-offs adjacent to residential districts shall have a screening fence. If a recycling drop-off area is within 200 feet of a residential district, no collection/pick-up of the accumulated materials shall occur between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. If a recycling drop-off area is within 200 feet of a residential district, and the drop-off includes containers for collecting gl...