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Trash & Recycling in Lafayette, IN (2026)

8 verified trash & recycling rules for Lafayette, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Pickup Rules & Schedules

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.07.060 sets a strict window for putting waste out: no earlier than 2:00 pm the day before collection, no later than 6:00 am on collection day, with empty containers off the curb by 9:00 pm that evening. All waste must go out in a sealed plastic bag, and any unbagged waste left outside the containers is the resident's own responsibility to clean up.

Lafayette, IN Trash Set-Out Time Rules

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.060(A), (D), (E)

All waste, recyclables and yard waste shall be set out, no later than 6:00 am on the designated collection date. Containers, recyclables, and waste may be set out for collection after 2:00 pm the day immediately before the designated collection date. All containers shall be removed from the curb no later than 9:00 pm on the day of collection. ... All waste must be securely placed in a plastic b...

Bin Placement Rules

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.07.060 tells residents exactly where their waste and recycling carts belong: at the curb or property line, three feet clear of vehicles, fences, trees or mailboxes, with the lid facing the street and two feet between the two containers. Between collection days, both carts must be stored neatly in the garage or beside the structure, not left at the curb.

Lafayette, IN Trash Cart Placement Rules

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.060(B), (C)

Place containers at the curb or, where no curb exists, at the property line adjacent to the public thoroughfare. Ensure containers are positioned three feet away from any obstructions, such as vehicles, fences, trees, or mailboxes. The container must be placed so the lid opening faces the street. Maintain a two-foot distance between the waste container and the recycling container. ... Waste and...

Bulk Item Disposal

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.07.090 lets residents set out 'excess waste,' defined in § 6.07.010 as a full pickup-truck load of material too large for the standard container, at the curb on their assigned collection day twice per year. Large items like furniture and mattresses qualify, but hazardous waste, electronics, and contractor debris are excluded under § 6.07.100.

Lafayette, IN Bulk and Excess Waste Rules

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code §§ 6.07.010, 6.07.090

"Excess waste" means any combination of solid waste, garbage, or rubbish that equates to the capacity of one standard pickup truck load and cannot be contained within the maximum size approved container as specified in this chapter. This includes, but is not limited to, large items such as furniture, mattresses, excess bagged garbage, and other similar materials. Individual items are not consid...

Recycling Requirements

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.07.070 requires recyclables to be empty, clean and dry, and placed loosely and unbagged into the city's 96-gallon recycling container. Putting non-recyclable items or waste into the recycling cart is prohibited. Large corrugated cardboard can be broken down and set beside the containers on collection day instead of being crammed inside.

Lafayette, IN Curbside Recycling Rules

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.070

Recyclable items must be empty, clean, and dry and placed loosely and unbagged into the city provided recycling container. Placing non-recyclable items, or waste, in recycle containers is prohibited. Large, corrugated cardboard items may be broken down and set out next to the city provided recycling and waste containers on the collection date.

Illegal Dumping

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.08.020 declares uncontrolled dumping or placing of refuse on the ground a public nuisance and prohibits it outright. Violators face the Chapter 6.08 penalty in § 6.08.990: a fine of up to $1,000 for each offense, with every day a violation continues treated as a separate offense.

Lafayette, IN Illegal Dumping Penalty

Heavy Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code §§ 6.08.020, 6.08.990

The uncontrolled dumping or placing of refuse on the ground is declared a nuisance, hazardous to the health and well-being of the residents of the city, and is prohibited. ... Whoever violates any provision of this chapter for which no penalty is otherwise provided, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($l,000.00). A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day that a vio...

Yard Waste Collection

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Municipal Code § 6.07.080 requires grass clippings, weeds, twigs and similar yard debris to go into two-ply biodegradable paper bags weighing under 40 pounds. Leaves must be bagged from May through September, but from October through April they can go loose at the curb for leaf vacuuming on designated dates as long as they are not mixed with sticks or branches.

Lafayette, IN Yard Waste Collection Rules

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.080(A), (B), (C)

All grass clippings, weeds, twigs, and other similar yard and garden materials shall be placed in a two-ply biodegradable wet strength paper bag weighing less than forty (40) pounds. ... Leaves shall be placed in biodegradable bags from May through September. From October through April, leaves may be placed at the curb for collection by leaf vacuuming on designated dates, provided they are not ...

Dumpster Rules

Lafayette bans parking a temporary dumpster or portable storage container in any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way without an Engineering Department permit. Municipal Code Section 8.09.020 requires a $50 permit valid for seven days, renewable in seven-day increments, with strict size and safety conditions.

Lafayette Right-of-Way Dumpster Permit Rule

Significant Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code §§ 8.09.020, 8.09.030, 8.09.050, 8.09.060

A.No person shall park, place or leave unattended any temporary dumpster or portable storage container on any public street, sidewalk or other right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the Engineering Department. ... B.The permit application fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).C.A permit is valid for a period of seven days and must be displayed on or near the temporary dumpster or port...

Collection Schedule

In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, the Sanitation Department collects garbage from every private dwelling unit at regular intervals it sets under Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.030, at the city's own expense. Service is mandatory for single-unit homes and buildings with up to three residential units. Buildings with five or more units, along with commercial and industrial properties, receive no city pickup and must arrange their own waste management service instead.

Lafayette, IN Trash Collection Schedule

Some Restrictions

Lafayette Municipal Code § 6.07.030

All waste collected for removal from any private dwelling unit shall be removed by the city, in accordance with this chapter, at its own expense and at regular intervals as may be set by the City of Lafayette Sanitation Department.

Looking for Tippecanoe County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lafayette city rules.

Trash & Recycling in Tippecanoe County