Louisville, KY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum recycling pickup
- Every other week
- Accepted materials
- Paper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastic bottles
- Applies to
- All licensed residential haulers
- Commercial recycling
- Must be offered by private haulers
- Enforced by
- Louisville Metro Waste Management District
Summary
Licensed waste haulers in Louisville Metro must offer curbside recycling pickup at least every other week and accept paper, cardboard, cans, glass, and plastic bottles.
the basic service offered must consist of once-a-week curbside collection of household waste; a minimum of once every other week seasonal collection of yard waste; and a minimum of once every other week collection of recyclables... Haulers must provide for the collection of the following recyclable materials at a minimum: paper, cardboard, empty food and beverage cartons, aluminum and steel cans, glass, plastic bottles, containers and jugs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Every licensed waste hauler serving residential customers in Louisville/Jefferson County must include recycling in its basic service package: collection at least once every other week, at minimum, alongside weekly trash and every-other-week yard waste pickup. Haulers must accept paper, cardboard, empty food and beverage cartons, aluminum and steel cans, glass, and plastic bottles, containers, and jugs. Private haulers must also offer recycling collection to commercial and industrial customers. Rules apply to companies licensed by Louisville Metro's Waste Management District; home rule cities inside Jefferson County such as St. Matthews or Jeffersontown may contract separately.
Violations & Fines
Haulers that fail to offer the required recycling service or accept the listed materials risk losing their Metro Government Waste Hauler License, which must be renewed annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is recycling picked up in Louisville Metro?
What materials does my Louisville hauler have to recycle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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