Trash & Recycling in McCracken County, KY (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
McCracken County Code § 111.15 requires every household in unincorporated McCracken County to be served by a licensed private solid waste hauler rather than leaving pickup optional, and § 111.18 gives that contracted hauler authority to enter private property to collect waste, though it may not enter the home itself.
McCracken County Private Hauler Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code §§ 111.15(A), 111.18
(A) In order to provide access to household solid waste collection to each household solid waste generator within the non-incorporated area of the county in a manner that promotes fiscal responsibility while ensuring quality service, the county has elected to allow private solid waste collection independent contractors to compete on the open market for providing their services to individual h...
Bin Placement Rules
County Code § 111.17 limits where and when trash containers can sit out in unincorporated McCracken County: curbside placement no more than 12 hours before collection, and removal within 12 hours after. Section 111.37 sets the container itself: 10 to 35 gallons, fly-tight lid, and a 75-pound weight limit including contents.
McCracken County Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code §§ 111.17, 111.37
Points of collection of solid waste shall be from the roadside or curbside within public rights-of-way or other locations near buildings, parking lots, etc., on private property. In general, solid waste generated by residential or agricultural uses shall be placed along the roadside or curbside fronting the subject property not more than 12 hours before collection. All reusable storage containe...
Bulk Item Disposal
Unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky has no curbside bulk-item pickup: County Code § 111.20(B) makes the individual generator responsible for hauling away any waste that isn't 'household solid waste,' including the large, heavy items the code defines as 'bulky waste' in § 111.01, to one of two named disposal facilities in Paducah.
McCracken County Bulky Waste Disposal Rule
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code §§ 111.01, 111.20(B)
BULKY WASTE. Non-putrescible solid wastes consisting of combustible and/or non-combustible waste materials from dwelling units, commercial, industrial, or agricultural establishments which are either too large or too heavy to be safely and conveniently loaded into solid waste transportation vehicles. ... (B) Solid waste collectors operating within the county shall not be responsible for the c...
Illegal Dumping
County Code § 111.56(B) bans open dumping of solid waste, including bulky waste, on any land in unincorporated McCracken County, from roadsides and hollows to rivers, streams, and lakes. Section 111.58 separately lists dumping on private property, operating an open dump, and disposing outside the two county-authorized facilities as prohibited practices.
McCracken County Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMcCracken County Code § 111.56(B)
(B) Open dumping. Open dumping of solid waste, including bulky waste, on all lands (i.e., roadsides, hollows, rivers, streams, lakes, etc.) by any person is prohibited statutory law and this chapter.
Yard Waste Collection
In unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, private trash haulers are not responsible for yard waste, defined by County Code § 111.01 as grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs under four inches in diameter. Section 111.21 makes the individual property owner responsible for hauling yard waste to the City of Paducah's compost facility, and § 111.22(S) bars putting it in a household trash container.
McCracken County Yard Waste Disposal Rule
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code §§ 111.01, 111.21, 111.22(S)
YARD WASTE. ... Grass clippings, leaves, tree limbs less than four inches in diameter, tree and vegetation trimmings. ... Solid waste collectors operating within the county shall ... not be responsible for the collection of ... solid waste that meets the definition of yard waste, as defined herein. The disposal of yard waste, as defined herein, shall be the duty of the individual generator and ...
Dumpster Rules
In unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, any property or business generating more than two cubic yards of solid waste per week must switch from individual trash cans to a bulk storage container (dumpster or roll-off) approved by the county's Solid Waste Director under County Code § 111.38.
McCracken County Bulk Dumpster Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code § 111.38
All uses which generate more than a volume of two cubic yards (i.e., approximately equivalent to 400 pounds or one-half ton or 400 gallons of solid waste per week shall be required to provide bulk containers for storage as approved by the Director. These containers shall be waterproof, leak proof, and shall be covered at all times except when depositing waste therein or removing the contents th...
Collection Schedule
In unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, household solid waste is picked up once a week under County Code § 111.19, with the exact weekly day set by the private hauling contract each resident signs. The county runs a universal outsourced private collection system under § 111.15, so every household must be served by a county-approved independent hauler rather than a county truck.
McCracken County Weekly Trash Collection
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County Code § 111.19
§ 111.19 COLLECTION FREQUENCY. All household solid waste shall be collected once weekly. Specifics pertaining to the weekly collection of household solid waste shall be set forth by the terms of the contract between the individual household solid waste generator and the independent household solid waste collection contractor.
All McCracken County ordinances
See every category we cover for McCracken County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
McCracken County Ordinance Hub →