St. Joseph County, IN Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Mishawaka Bulk
- Two items weekly
- South Bend Bulk
- By appointment
- Hazardous Waste
- 828 Kerr Street
- Illegal Dumping
- IC 35-45-3-2 infraction
Summary
Bulk items go through your city, not the county. South Bend schedules large-item pickup and Mishawaka collects up to two bulk items each week. Dumping instead is littering under IC 35-45-3-2, a Class B infraction with a judgment up to $1,000.
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.
Full Breakdown
Getting rid of a couch, mattress, or appliance runs through your municipality. Mishawaka's contracted service collects up to two bulk items on your regular weekly day. South Bend residents schedule large-item and appliance pickup through the city Solid Waste division. Paint, chemicals, and electronics go to the county district's Household Hazardous Waste facility at 828 Kerr Street in South Bend, free to city residents. The route the law polices is dumping. Under IC 35-45-3-2, leaving refuse on another's property outside a provided container is littering, a Class B infraction; the offense rises to a Class A infraction, capped at $1,000, within 100 feet of DNR or Army Corps water.
Violations & Fines
Illegal dumping or setting bulk waste on a roadside, alley, or vacant lot is littering under IC 35-45-3-2, a Class B infraction carrying a judgment up to $1,000, with the aggravated near-water offense also capped at $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a mattress or couch?
What happens if I just dump it?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Indiana Code
Other rules in St. Joseph County
Compare St. Joseph County to another location·View the Indiana trash & recycling overview
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