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Indianapolis Bulk Trash Pickup Rules

Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 2 items per collection. On your monthly heavy trash pickup day, place up to 2 heavy/bulky items at the curb next to your trash cart by 7:00 a.m. No appointment or scheduling required; limited to 2 items per month.

Indianapolis bulk pickup rules

Bulk waste limits and booking rules for Indianapolis
Collection ruleOn your monthly heavy trash pickup day, place up to 2 heavy/bulky items at the curb next to your trash cart by 7:00 a.m. No appointment or scheduling required; limited to 2 items per month.
Limit per pickup2 items
Permitted materialsFurniture, Appliances
Advance noticeNot required under the listed rules.
Dispatch phone317-327-4000

Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials

How to throw away a mattress in Indianapolis

Follow the listed bulk rule: On your monthly heavy trash pickup day, place up to 2 heavy/bulky items at the curb next to your trash cart by 7:00 a.m. No appointment or scheduling required; limited to 2 items per month.

Special disposal mandates

Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup.

Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.

Local disposal alternatives in Marion County

For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.

The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.

DPW & sanitation contact

Indianapolis Department of Public Works · municipal dpw

Phone: 317-327-4000

200 E Washington St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Visit Official Indianapolis Sanitation Portal Official municipality portal at indy.gov

These collection rules cover Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).

Trash & recycling questions

What days is trash collected in Indianapolis, IN?

Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Trash cart must be at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, placed 2 to 3 feet from the curb with arrows pointing to the street or alley, and at least 5 feet from objects and buildings.. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).

Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Indianapolis?

As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).

How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Indianapolis?

On your monthly heavy trash pickup day, place up to 2 heavy/bulky items at the curb next to your trash cart by 7:00 a.m. No appointment or scheduling required; limited to 2 items per month. The listed limit is 2 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 317-327-4000 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).

What items are accepted for recycling in Indianapolis?

The listed accepted materials are Cardboard (corrugated boxes, paperboard, paper egg cartons; broken down), Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1, #2, and #5 empty and rinsed; leave caps attached), Glass bottles and jars (all colors rinsed clean), Metal cans (aluminum, tin, and steel food and beverage cans), Cartons (milk, nondairy milk, and juice perishable cartons), Mixed paper (newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic film, and wraps (do not bag recycling), Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, plates, and takeout clamshells), Plastic #3 (PVC pipes, hoses) and Plastic #6, Electronics, batteries, and household hazardous waste (take to ToxDrop), Food waste, liquids, and heavily soiled paper products. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Residential Solid Waste Collection Districts (Monday through Friday).