5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Collection is arranged city by city. Fishers runs a citywide contract (Republic Services) with weekly trash and every-other-week recycling; Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield have their own programs. Under Fishers Code, no one may collect garbage, refuse, trash or recycling in the city without a license.
Fishers Code Sec. 50.02
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of collecting garbage, refuse, trash, or recycling within the city, without first obtaining a license as hereinafter provided.
Cart setout is governed by each city's hauler program, not the county. Fishers code bars collection in residential areas between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and residents place carts at the curb on their service day. Carts must otherwise be kept from becoming a debris nuisance.
Fishers Code Sec. 50.04(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in the business of collecting garbage, refuse or trash, within the city between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in residentially zoned areas.
Large-item pickup is handled through your city hauler, but Hamilton County runs a free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center and self-serve General Recycling Area in Noblesville for residents. The county limits chemical waste to 200 pounds per residence per month.
Hamilton County HHW Drop-Off Center policy
Our facility is for Hamilton County residents disposing of their personal household waste only. ... Limit 200 pounds of chemical waste (including paint) per residence per month.
Recycling is provided through city hauler programs. Fishers' 2024 code authorizes an exclusive citywide provider for residential refuse, garbage, trash and recycling, delivering curbside recycling every other week. The county also runs a self-serve recycling drop-off in Noblesville.
Fishers Code Sec. 50.03(B)(1)
The city may, pursuant to applicable law and authority, enter into a contract with a person, firm, or corporation as an exclusive provider for residential unit refuse, garbage, trash, or recycling collection services for residences within the city's municipal boundaries.
Dumping trash on someone else's property or public land is illegal statewide. Under Indiana Code IC 35-45-3-2, leaving refuse anywhere except a container provided for it is littering, a Class B infraction, rising to a Class A infraction near protected waters.
IC 35-45-3-2(a)
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally places or leaves refuse on property of another person, except in a container provided for refuse, commits littering, a Class B infraction.
1 cities in Hamilton County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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