Fort Wayne, IN Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- Noon the day before pickup
- Latest set-out
- 6:00 a.m. on collection day
- Collection window
- 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Cart removal deadline
- Noon the day after pickup
- Governing section
- Fort Wayne Code § 50.06
Summary
Fort Wayne carts must go out after noon the day before collection and before 6 a.m. on collection day, then be pulled back in by noon the next day.
City carts, refuse bags, garbage can liners, bulky waste, recycling containers, and biodegradable lawn bags (excluding leaves placed at the curb as part of the city’s fall leaf collection) shall be set out at the refuse collection site, curbside or alley, on the designated collection day before 6:00 a.m. but no earlier than noon of the day preceding the regular collection day. The city carts and any rejected items (excluding leaves placed at the curb as part of the city’s fall leaf collection) shall be removed from the refuse collection site no later than noon on the day after the regular collection. The owner, tenant, lessee occupant, or agent of any property shall promptly clean up and remove any scattered solid waste, rejected items, recyclable material and/or yard waste (excluding leaves placed at the curb as part of the city’s fall leaf collection) from the property before noon on the day after the scheduled date of regular collection. Missed collections that are a result of the contractors’ negligence will be an exception to having solid waste materials removed from the refuse collection site no later than noon the day after the regular collection day.
(B) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this section to knowingly dispose of motor oil antifreeze, car batteries, and other toxic materials in with garbage and/or recycling collection. (Ord. G-24-96, passed 10-8-96; Am. Ord. G-38-07, passed 12-18- 07; Am. Ord. G- 18-26, passed 7-14-26) Penalty, see § 50.99
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 50.06 sets a strict collection window: carts, bags, bulky waste and recycling containers go curbside or in the alley no earlier than noon the day before the scheduled pickup and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day itself. Collections run 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Carts and any rejected items must be pulled back off the collection site by noon the day after pickup, and scattered waste must be cleaned up by the same deadline. Missed pickups caused by the contractor's own negligence are exempted from that removal deadline.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 50.06 set-out/removal times is unlawful under the section; § 50.99 sets the general penalty for Chapter 50 offenses. Knowingly mixing motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries or other toxic materials into curbside collection is a separate violation of § 50.06(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
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When must I bring the empty cart back in?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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