Georgetown, KY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Georgetown regulates recycling collection through its solid waste article, Chapter 40, Article II, rather than through a household sorting mandate. Within that article, recycling appears in Section 40-23 and Section 40-32. Section 40-23(a) applies so long as there exists an exclusive franchise for the collection of garbage, trash, refuse and recyclable materials within the city, granted by ordinance to an exclusive solid waste franchisee. While it does, no other person, firm or corporation can enter the streets and other public ways to collect and haul away garbage, trash, refuse and recyclable materials from businesses, homes, dwellings and other places where necessary. The section does not bar a person or firm from performing garbage, trash, refuse and recycling services that the exclusive franchise does not cover, provided the provider complies with the article, including the non-exclusive franchise requirements.

Those requirements sit in Section 40-32(a), which makes it unlawful for any person, business or industry to use streets, alleys, rights-of-way and other public ways to deliver to, collect from or transport from any business or industrial property municipal, industrial and commercial waste, construction and demolition debris, hazardous waste, medical waste or recycling without first obtaining a valid current franchise from the city. A franchise is not exclusive within the city limits unless expressly provided in writing, and applicants must show and maintain evidence of qualification and compliance under applicable federal or state waste collection and disposal laws. Section 40-32(b) adds that persons collecting solid waste from dumpsters first obtain a non-exclusive franchise and pay the city ten percent annually of gross service revenues generated within the city limits, reported and paid quarterly.

Rates for collection are those set in the city's franchise agreement with the exclusive solid waste franchisee, and a copy of the franchise agreement and ordinance is available for public inspection in the city clerk's office (Section 40-27). Section 40-26 directs the council to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the collection, removal and disposal of solid waste. Ordinance 2021-23, adopted December 13, 2021, rewrote Section 40-23 and repealed its earlier definitions.