Trash & Recycling in Shawnee County, KS (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Shawnee County, Kansas.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Shawnee County ties residential trash pickup to your water meter: getting county water service automatically enrolls you in refuse department collection under Sec. 28-5(a), and switching to a private hauler requires written notice to the director. Residents also get one free bulky-item pickup a month and can request alternate collection for a certified medical disability.
Shawnee County Residential Trash Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-5(a), (h)
(a)A request for water service (water meter assignment) to the city water department shall constitute a request and authorization for refuse department solid waste collection and disposal service. The refuse department will render bills for services provided on a regular basis...(h)Residential bulky waste may be collected by the refuse department at no additional charge. Collection is restricte...
Bin Placement Rules
Shawnee County limits how long a trash cart can sit out: containers can't go to the curb more than 24 hours before pickup and must come back in within 24 hours after collection, under Sec. 28-5(e). Waste goes to the street curbing in front of the dwelling or a designated alley, per Sec. 28-5(d).
Shawnee County Trash Cart Placement Rule
Some RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-5(d)-(e)
(d)All solid waste collected shall be placed on the street curbing in front of the dwelling, or in alleys as designated by the refuse department or licensed private hauler.(e)Solid waste containers shall not be placed curbside more than 24 hours before the regularly scheduled collection day. All empty containers shall be removed from the curb within 24 hours of collection.
Bulk Item Disposal
Shawnee County's refuse department picks up residential 'bulky waste,' items like furniture and appliances, at no extra charge under General Code Sec. 28-5(h), but only once a month per customer and subject to volume limits the solid waste department sets.
Shawnee County Bulky Waste Collection Rules
Light RestrictionsShawnee County Code §§ 28-2, 28-5(h)
Bulky waste means interior household replacement items. The term "bulky waste" excludes room-sized carpeting or any item that has been affixed to the residence (inside or outside). ... Sec. 28-5(h). Residential bulky waste may be collected by the refuse department at no additional charge. Collection is restricted to once monthly service for each customer and is subject to volume limitations est...
Recycling Requirements
Shawnee County runs residential curbside recycling on an every-other-week schedule under Sec. 28-8(b), with monthly fees the county solid waste department sets for customers who aren't already on county trash service. The director can raise those fees annually, but never by more than five percent without board approval.
Shawnee County Curbside Recycling Program Rules
Some RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-8
(a)The monthly fees for the provision of residential curbside recycling collection service to non-county solid waste department customers shall become effective upon commencement of the curbside recycling initiative in the amount approved by the county refuse department.(b)Residential curbside recycling collection services will be provided on an every-other-week basis.(c)The director of the cou...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping or abandoning trash, junk or personal property on someone else's land without permission is unlawful in Shawnee County and draws a flat $1,000.00 fine per occurrence under Sec. 28-44. The county also pays up to $500.00 through its 'Don't Trash Shawnee County' program for tips that identify a violator.
Shawnee County Illegal Dumping Fines
Heavy RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-44(a)-(c)
(a)The term "unauthorized dumping" means the act of dumping or abandoning trash, junk, or other personal property without permission or proper authority on the property of another.(b)Unauthorized dumping is unlawful and punishable by a $1,000.00 fine per occurrence.(c)Citations for unauthorized dumping may be issued by law enforcement officers or county code enforcement officers and shall be pr...
Yard Waste Collection
Tree limbs and shrubs set out for Shawnee County refuse pickup must be tied into bundles no longer than 48 inches and no thicker than 24 inches in diameter under Sec. 28-4(m). Grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris beyond ordinary trash can draw an extra service charge set by the county commission.
Shawnee County Yard Waste Bundling Rule
Some RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-4(m)
(m)Prior to collection by the refuse department, tree limbs and, if possible, shrubs, shall be tied in bundles not to exceed 48 inches in length and 24 inches in diameter.
Collection Schedule
Shawnee County requires every occupied residence and commercial or industrial business outside city limits to have regularly scheduled refuse collection at least once a week, under Sec. 28-4(a)-(b) of the county code. Skip service and the county health department gives written notice, then assigns and bills county pickup if you don't sign with a licensed hauler within ten days.
Shawnee County Weekly Trash Collection Rule
Some RestrictionsShawnee County, KS Code of Ordinances § 28-4(a)-(b)
(a)All occupied residences and commercial/industrial businesses require regularly scheduled refuse collection service.(b)All solid waste (residential, commercial and industrial) generated within the county shall be removed from the premises on which it was generated at least once a week or as often as necessary to prevent nuisance conditions from occurring. Removal of solid waste shall be accom...
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