Gary, IN Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Under § 34-59(a), the city furnishes the vehicles and crews to collect garbage, combustible and noncombustible rubbish and ashes produced within Gary's corporate limits, and collection dates for each route are published rather than run on one uniform citywide schedule. Section 34-59(b) requires the city to systematically collect, remove and dispose of all domestic garbage, rubbish and ashes, but carves out commercial establishments and industrial plants entirely, so businesses must contract with a licensed private hauler. No garbage, rubbish or ash goes into a truck unless it sits in a container that meets Article II's storage standards under § 34-52: watertight metal containers, no larger than 20 gallons for garbage and rubbish, with flytight covers kept closed except when adding or emptying.

Multifamily buildings of six units or more must instead maintain at least a 15-cubic-yard dumpster per six units, and ashes go in a separate metal or wood container capped at one bushel with a watertight lid. Private collection is allowed only if the street commissioner issues a permit and the applicant's vehicles and disposal method meet the minimum requirements set by the board of health; anyone else who collects garbage, rubbish or waste material within the city without a scavenger license under § 34-65 is acting unlawfully.

Disposal is confined to sites the city establishes under IC 36-9-30-35, with the street commissioner writing rules for using them, and burying garbage or using it as fill on private property requires the written approval of the department of health.