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Warrick County, IN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Program effective date
December 1, 2015
Administered by
Warrick County Solid Waste Management District
First violation penalty
$1,000 civil penalty, unauthorized hauler
Repeat violation penalty
$2,500 per additional violation
Covered properties
Single-family, qualifying multi-family, embedded commercial, government
Scope
Unincorporated county only; cities run own service

Summary

In unincorporated Warrick County, Indiana, the Solid Waste Management District's curbside program serves single-family homes, qualifying multi-family and embedded commercial properties, and county or municipal buildings able to use its containers. Only the District's approved hauler may collect curbside recyclables from these covered participants; unauthorized haulers face steep civil penalties under Warrick County Code Section 136.99.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Warrick County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

COVERED PARTICIPANTS. ... The same meaning as adopted from time to time by the District in the program, which initially includes the following participants within the boundaries of the county exclusive of incorporated municipalities: (1) Single-family, residential zoned properties; (2) Multi-family, residential zoned properties that are able to utilize the containers provided by the program; (3) Embedded commercial zoned properties, defined as those businesses embedded within residential areas and also able to utilize the containers described below; and (4) County and municipal government properties able to utilize the containers provided by the program. ... (B) (1) Beginning on the effective date, and at all times thereafter, any commercial hauler who shall collect curbside waste or recyclable materials from covered participants in violation of the program shall be subject to a civil penalty, payable to the county, of $1,000 for the first violation and $2,500 for each additional violation. Each collection of curbside waste or recyclable materials from any covered participant after the effective date that occurs in violation of this chapter shall be deemed a separate offense.

Full Breakdown

Warrick County Code Chapter 136 governs the Solid Waste Management District's Curbside Collection and Disposal Program in unincorporated Warrick County, Indiana; Boonville, Newburgh, Chandler, Elberfeld, Lynnville and Tennyson run their own service. Section 136.10 defines COVERED PARTICIPANTS as single-family residential-zoned properties, multi-family residential-zoned properties able to use the program's containers, 'embedded commercial' businesses situated within residential areas that can use the same containers, and county or municipal government properties able to use the containers. The program began December 1, 2015, and is administered by the District, which the Board of Commissioners created and may amend from time to time.

Chapter 136 defines a COMMERCIAL HAULER as anyone other than the District's approved hauler who provides curbside pickup and disposal of solid waste and recyclable materials to covered participants. Section 136.99 makes it a violation for any commercial hauler other than the District's chosen contractor to collect curbside waste or recyclable materials from a covered participant; each unauthorized collection after the effective date is a separate offense, and penalty revenue goes into the county's General Fund. Chapter 136 also permits residential yard waste to be composted on site so long as it does not create odor, harbor rodents, or become a public nuisance, or it may go out with the District's curbside program instead.

Violations & Fines

Under Section 136.99, a person, firm, or corporation violating Chapter 136 without another stated penalty is fined as set under Section 10.99. A commercial hauler who collects curbside waste or recyclables from a covered participant without District authorization owes a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first violation and $2,500 for each later violation, payable to the county; every unauthorized pickup after the effective date counts as its own separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can collect curbside recyclables in unincorporated Warrick County?
Only the hauler approved by the Warrick County Solid Waste Management District may collect curbside waste and recyclables from covered participants under the program created by Board of Commissioners Ordinance 2015-29. Any other commercial hauler that picks up curbside recyclables from a covered participant violates Warrick County Code Section 136.99 and faces a $1,000 civil penalty for a first offense.
Which properties count as covered participants?
Section 136.10 covers single-family residential-zoned properties, multi-family residential-zoned properties able to use the program's containers, 'embedded commercial' businesses located within residential areas that can use the same containers, and county or municipal government properties able to use the containers, all within unincorporated Warrick County, Indiana.
Can I compost my own yard waste instead of using curbside pickup?
Yes. Section 136.02(B) allows yard waste to be accumulated on residential property for composting as long as it does not create odor, harbor rodents, or become a public nuisance; otherwise it may be collected under the District's curbside waste and recycling pickup program.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Warrick County

All Warrick County rules

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